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Report from the Director New History Museum Planning Continues Planning continues for a new Museum of Mississippi History, to be constructed north of the new William F. Winter Archives and History Building on North Street in downtown Jackson. Plans also call for the Old Capitol to be restored once the museum has moved to its new location. The Museum of Mississippi History, the restored Old Capitol, and a refurbished Charlotte Capers Building will stand with the Winter Building and the War Memorial to form a State History Center and a gateway to heritage tourism across the state.
The Mississippi Legislature has allocated funds for the design of the new Museum of Mississippi History and for planning the exhibits interpreting the state's history. Architects have completed designs for the building, and the exhibit team is now planning the exhibits, working in close consultation with historians, community advisors representing Mississippi's various cultures and ethnic groups, and members of the public who attended open meetings held around the state by MDAH. Plans call for the new Museum of Mississippi History to feature large open spaces housing innovative exhibits, an orientation theater with a "dissolving wall," classrooms outfitted for interactive educational activities, a museum store, and modern staff offices and work areas. The new building will offer more than 21,000 square feet for exhibits-four times the exhibit area in the Old Capitol. Now, with plans in place, funds are needed for the next phase-the actual construction of the museum and restoration of the Old Capitol. Recognizing that the state faces a serious fiscal crisis, MDAH is committed to raising funds privately to assist the department in proceeding with this important project. The Board of Trustees of the department has established the Foundation for Mississippi History, a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to raise funds to help support and promote the activities, programs, projects, and purposes of the Department. The Foundation's first charge is to raise the funds needed to assist with construction of the new Museum of Mississippi History and restoration of the Old Capitol. |
The Old Capitol, a National Historic Landmark and the most historic building in Mississippi, can no longer house the state historical museum. The building is endangered and must be vacated so that it can be restored. The Old Capitol was last renovated in 1960 and is now suffering severe deterioration. Recognizing this critical need, the Mississippi Legislature has authorized planning for the restoration of the Old Capitol. But even a restored Old Capitol will not offer adequate space for collections, programming, exhibits, and staff offices. 