All along your journey through the backroads of the Mississippi Delta you will find museums that tell thestories of the people and places of the region. The content of the Delta’s collection of museums bring to lifethe stories of the people who settled here and how they transformed a rugged yet fertile landscape into oneof the world’s most important and productive agricultural economies. A visit to the one or all of the museumswill bring insight into the cultural significance of the Mississippi Delta which is often referred to as thecradle of American civilization.

• Hernando – The Desoto County Museum details the county’s history from the arrival of Hernando DeSotoin 1541 to the present featuring working model of a paddlewheel boat, plantation-era furniture, artifactsfrom the Civil War and key events in the development of agriculture.

• Tunica – To explore the history of the Mississippi River a visit to the Mississippi River Museum located inthe Tunica River Park is a must. The building itself is a work of art. Observation platforms allow for panoramicviews of Old Man River. The museum is an extensive, interactive showcase of history, nature and culture.The Gateway to the Blues Museum in Robinsonville which is housed in an 1895 train depot examines howthe Blues was born and the role that the Mississippi Delta’s musicians played in the development of thegenre’s legacy.

• Clarksdale – The Delta Blues Museum was the forerunner of the Delta’s interpretive museums. The museumopened in the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad Depot in 1979. The exhibit space contains an extensivearray of Blues artifacts, including Muddy Water’s log cabin and features nationally touring exhibits.

• Cleveland – The Mississippi Grammy Museum is the Delta’s newest interactive music experience. MoreMississippians per capita have been Grammy winners and nominees than any other state in the nation.The museum aims to educate individuals about the history and cultural significance of American music.

• Leland – Back in the day, Leland was known near and far as a hotbed for the Blues and for its raucousjuke joints. The Highway 61 Blues Museum is packed with memorabilia and personal artifacts representinghundreds of Blues performers who have a connection to the region. On the banks of Deer Creek youwill find The Birthplace of Kermit the Frog: An Exhibit of Jim Henson’s Delta Boyhood. Muppet creatorJim Henson was born in Greenville and reared on the banks of Deer Creek and spent childhood daysexploring the flora and fauna. The exhibit is a gift to the people of Leland from the Jim Henson Legacy.

• Indianola – The King of the Delta Blues, Riley B.B. King’s life and legacy are remembered in the state-of-art exhibit that bears his name. The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center tells the story ofKing being orphaned at a very young age and his rise to become one of the best entertainers of his time.Mr. King’s final resting place is located on the grounds.

• Greenwood – The Museum of the Mississippi Delta focuses on art, archaeology, agriculture, antiquesand animals. Collections examine agriculture, Native Americans and regional military history. The museumis home to one of the Delta’s most extensive collections of regional art.

• Yazoo City – The Oakes African-American Cultural Center is located in the magnificent home where theOakes family lived for nearly 125 years. The house started with one room and through the years wastransformed into one of the finest homes in the region. Visitors can take a glimpse into the lives andheritage of this outstanding African-American family.

• Vicksburg – Vicksburg’s Downtown Historic District is home to five museums. The Biedenharn Museumof Coca-Cola® Memorabilia is where the beverage was first bottled. The exhibit shows how the originalbottling was done, displays an impressive collection of Coca-Cola® promotional items and a gift shop.Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum’s collection of bisque dolls is considered one of thefinest in the country. The Old Depot Museum features a diorama of the Siege of Vicksburg and chroniclesthe transportation on and along the Mississippi River. The exhibit contains an extensive collection of modelmilitary vessels and automobiles. The Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum allows visitors to explorelife along the Mississippi and man’s attempts to control flooding. The city’s iconic Old Court House Museumdetails the region’s history from the pre-Columbian and Native American periods thorough the turn of thetwentieth century.

The Mississippi Delta Ultimate Museum Tour

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