Article Overview: Historic Sites In Mississippi
Historic Sites In Mississippi. More Than Just Parks has 15 incredible must-see sites for you.
I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
I’m going to give you my list of the Top 15 Historic Sites in Mississippi that you’ll want to see. These are our top 10 sites which we will provide in reverse order. We’ve got amazing monuments, fascinating exhibits, historic museums, legendary battlefields and so much more.
To be clear, this list includes national park sites (as in sites managed by the National Park Service) as opposed to national parks. It also includes sites not managed by the National Park Service. After all, we’re more than just parks!
If you’re planning a trip to the “Bayou State” then I recommend picking up a copy of Mississippi Travel Guide: Plan Your Dream Vacation To Mississippi by Johnson Tianka.
Now without further ado let’s dive in.
Table Of Contents: Historic Sites In Mississippi
Historic Sites In Mississippi
Top 15 Historic Sites In Mississippi
15. Natchez “On Top Of The Hill” Historic District
The Natchez “On Top of the Hill” Historic District, also known as the Natchez Historic District, is a historic district located in Natchez, Mississippi.
It’s situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and contains a collection of well-preserved antebellum homes and other structures dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The district got its name from the fact that it is situated on a high point of land, hence “On Top of the Hill”.
The district was established in the late 18th century and was a significant center of cotton production and trade during the antebellum period. Natchez was one of the wealthiest cities in the South during this time, and many of the homes and buildings in the district were built by wealthy planters and merchants.
It’s On The National Register Of Historic Places
The houses in the district are architectural examples of different styles, including Greek Revival, Italianate, and Federal. Many of these houses have been preserved and restored, and some are open to the public as museums.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and is considered a prime example of antebellum architecture and history. The district is also home to many events and festivals throughout the year, including the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage, an annual event that features tours of the historic homes and buildings in the district.
The district is also home to many parks, gardens and cemeteries, which also make it a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts.
14. LQC Lamar House Museum
The L.Q.C. Lamar House Museum, also known as the Lamar-Phillips House, is a historic house museum located in Meridian, Mississippi.
The house was built in 1858 and was the home of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a prominent lawyer, politician, and statesman from Mississippi. Lamar was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and he served as the United States Ambassador to Russia under President Grover Cleveland.
During the American Civil War, Lamar served as a Confederate States Army officer and later served in the Confederate Congress.
He Helped To Establish Mississippi State University
After the war, Lamar played a significant role in the rebuilding of the South and in the development of the Democratic Party in Mississippi. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Lamar School, now known as Mississippi State University.
The house was donated to the city of Meridian in 1964 by the Phillips family, who had owned it since the 1890s. The house was restored and converted into a museum, which opened to the public in 1968.
The museum features exhibits and artifacts that highlight the life and career of Lamar, as well as the history of Meridian and Mississippi during the 19th century. Visitors can also tour the house and see the original furniture and decor. The museum is open to the public, and it is managed by the city of Meridian.
13. Windsor Ruins
The Windsor Ruins are the remains of a large, antebellum Greek Revival mansion located near Port Gibson, Mississippi. The mansion was built in 1861 by Smith Coffee Daniell II, a wealthy planter and businessman, and was one of the largest and most impressive homes in the South at the time.
The mansion was a two-story, 23-room house with a portico supported by six massive columns. It was built with materials of the highest quality and craftsmanship and was said to be one of the most beautiful homes in the area.
The mansion was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and it was severely damaged by fire in 1890. The Daniell family was unable to afford the repairs, and the mansion fell into disrepair.
The house was abandoned, and over time, the roof and upper floors collapsed, leaving only the columns and the lower level walls standing. The ruins were acquired by the state of Mississippi in the 1960s, and it is now open to the public as a state park.
The Windsor Ruins are considered one of the most significant examples of antebellum architecture in the South and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The ruins are open to the public, and visitors can tour the site, see the remaining columns and walls, and learn about the history of the mansion and the Daniell family. It’s also a popular location for photography and special events.
12. Waverly Mansion
The Waverly Mansion is a historic home built in 1852 that is known for its supernatural activity. The mansion has a reputation for being one of the most haunted homes in the South and is open for tours daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Visitors can take a tour of the mansion to learn about its history and possibly have a paranormal experience.
The mansion’s history and reputation for ghostly activity make it an interesting destination for those interested in the paranormal or in the history of the south.
11. Emerald Mound Site
The Emerald Mound is an archaeological site believed to have been constructed between the 1200s and 1600s by the indigenous people of the region.
It is the second largest ceremonial mound in the United States.
The mound measures 770 feet by 435 feet and is 35 feet high. The site is open to visitors for free and can be toured daily.
The Emerald Mound is an important historical and cultural site, offering a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the indigenous peoples who built it.
Top 10 Historic Sites In Mississippi
10. Biloxi Lighthouse
If you enjoy places with an amazing story behind them then this one will not disappoint you.
The Biloxi Lighthouse was one of three Mississippi Sound lighthouses authorized in 1847 by legislation sponsored by Mississippi Representative Jefferson Davis.
The light was civilian operated from 1848 to 1939, and is notable for its several female lightkeepers, including Maria Younghans, who tended the light for 53 years. In 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the light’s operation.
It Was Maintained By Female Lighthouse Keepers
This lighthouse is truly unique in two ways. First, it was one of the earliest cast-iron lighthouses to be built in the south. Second, it has a lengthy history of being maintained by female lighthouse keepers. Today, the renowned landmark serves as a sign of perseverance as it has withstood two severe hurricanes, Camille and Katrina.
Visitors to this historic lighthouse can see a 12-minute documentary about the Biloxi Lighthouse, narrated by Biloxi native and Miss America 1959 Mary Ann Mobley.
There are guided tours daily from 9 to 10 a.m., weather permitting. No reservations are required for these tours, except for group tours, which can be arranged by calling (228) 374-3105.
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9. Old Capitol Museum
It’s another great historic site with another great story to tell. The Old Capitol is Mississippi’s most historic building.
Built in 1839, it was the site of some of the state’s most significant legislative actions, such as the passage of the 1839 Married Women’s Property Act, Mississippi’s secession from the Union in 1861, and the crafting of the 1868 and 1890 state constitutions.
It’s A Free Museum
It’s a free museum which explores the distinguished history of the building and the events that have taken place in it. There are interactive multimedia exhibits exploring the roles of the legislature, governor, and high court, as well as the importance of historic preservation to the state.
It’s a National Historic Landmark, and one of the country’s premier examples of Greek Revival public architecture. When it was built in 1839, the massive limestone exterior, copper dome, and grand interior spaces made the Old Capitol the most distinguished building in Mississippi.
And while you’re there be sure to check out the Mississippi Hall of Fame. It honors distinguished Mississippians, including artist Walter Anderson, author Eudora Welty, civil rights hero Medgar Evers, Choctaw chief Pushmataha, and federal judge Burnita Shelton Matthews.
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8. Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
In 1903, W. E. B. Du Bois prophetically stated: “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line.” The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum explores that problem and its impact on our history.
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum shares the stories of a Mississippi movement that changed the nation. The museum promotes a greater understanding of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and its impact by highlighting the strength and sacrifices of its peoples.
Visitors will witness the freedom struggle in eight interactive galleries that show the systematic oppression of black Mississippians and their fight for equality that transformed the state and nation.
Seven of the galleries encircle a central space called This Little Light of Mine. There, a dramatic sculpture glows brighter and the music of the Movement swells as visitors gather.
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7. Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
The Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, located near Baldwyn, Mississippi, is a national battlefield site that commemorates the Battle of Brices Cross Roads fought during the American Civil War. The battle was fought on June 10, 1864, between Confederate and Union forces. The Confederate army, led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest, was able to defeat a larger Union force, led by General Samuel D. Sturgis.
The battle was a significant victory for the Confederacy, as it prevented the Union army from advancing further into Mississippi and protected important supply lines for the Confederate army. The battle also demonstrated Forrest’s tactical skills as a commander.
The battlefield site was established in 1929, and it includes a visitor center with exhibits and artifacts related to the battle and the Civil War. The site also includes a walking trail that takes visitors to the key areas of the battlefield and includes interpretive markers that provide information on the battle and the troops who fought there.
The Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site is managed by the National Park Service, and it is open to the public for tours and educational programs. The site is also a popular destination for history enthusiasts and for those who want to learn more about the Civil War and its impact on the people and communities of Mississippi.
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6. Tupelo National Battlefield
At Tupelo, visitors can walk the battlefield where history was made. The area is much smaller, however, than might be imagined. How did thousands of men manage to fit into this tiny space and fight a battle which inflicted hundreds of dead and wounded?
The actual battlefield was not preserved in its entirety so we may not know the real dimensions of physical space which the combatants had available during the battle.
What we do know is that the Tupelo National Battlefield is another place where history was made. It’s definitely worth seeing and experiencing.
Visit the Tupelo Veterans Museum
And while you’re in Tupelo, check out the Tupelo Veterans Museum.
It’s a local tribute to the brave men and women who defended our country in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the modern Desert Storm and Iraqi Wars.
The museum is filled with wartime exhibits covering the heights and depths of the human experience. It reminds us that freedom isn’t free by honoring the men and women who have helped to keep us free.
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The Top 5 Historic Sites In Mississippi
5. Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum
Mississippi is the home of the “King of Rock & Roll.”
In 1954, Elvis Presley kicked off a musical revolution by modernizing traditional genres such as blues, country and bluegrass for contemporary (and more youthful) audiences.
“If you’re looking for trouble,” Elvis Presley warned the audience at the opening of his December 3rd, 1968, television special, “you’ve come to the right place.” What Presley gave his audiences was a revolution which transformed Rock & Roll catapulting him to the top of the charts in the process.
He Made Rock & Roll The International Language Of Pop
His influence on this important genre cannot be overstated. According to Rolling Stone, “it was Elvis who made rock ‘n’ roll the international language of pop.”
The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll describes Presley as “an American music giant of the 20th century who single-handedly changed the course of music and culture in the mid-1950s”.
Visitors to the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum will be able to explore exhibits containing Tupelo artifacts, large photomurals, graphics, and audiovisual presentations that focus on King of Rock & Roll.
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4. Natchez National Historical Park
We go from the King of Rock & Roll to a different type of king. In the Antebellum South, Cotton was king. As a retired history teacher, I always love a good history lesson so here goes another one, but relax because there’s no homework.
Antebellum refers to the years prior to the Civil War. It was during this period that cotton emerged as the South’s major commercial crop eclipsing tobacco, rice, and sugar in economic importance.
By 1860, the region was producing two-thirds of the world’s cotton. How was the South able to produce so much? Excellent question.
In the eighteenth century, slavery appeared to be on the way out because the demand for slaves was decreasing. This was until 1793 and then everything changed.
Whitney & The Cotton Gin
1793 was the year Eli Whitney went to Cumberland Island to help a former college friend expand his cotton crop. It was there where Whitney revolutionized the production of cotton by inventing the cotton gin, a device which separates the seeds from raw cotton.
Suddenly, a process that was extraordinarily labor-intensive when done by hand could be completed quickly and easily. While Whitney’s machine reduced the labor of removing seeds, it did not reduce the need for slaves to grow and pick the cotton.
In fact, cotton growing became so profitable for the planters that it greatly increased their demand for both land and slave labor. And this increased demand for slaves set the stage for the Civil War.
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Natchez & The Cotton Economy
Natchez National Historical Park documents the role Natchez played in the creation of the Cotton Kingdom. The historical park is made up of three units, Fort Rosalie is the location of an 18th Century fortification built by the French and later occupied by the British, Spanish and Americans.
The William Johnson House was a house owned by William Johnson, a free African American businessman, whose diary tells the story of everyday life in Antebellum Natchez.
Melrose was the estate of John T. McMurran, a northerner who rose from being a middle class lawyer to a position of wealth and power in antebellum Natchez.
Visitors can capture a moment in history when people had built a lifestyle on the backs of an army of enslaved workers. A trip to this historic site helps visitors to understand life in the Antebellum South before the Civil War.
3. Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument honors the legacy of civil rights activists Medgar Evers and his wife Myrlie Evers. Medgar Evers was an African American civil rights leader who worked to end segregation and discrimination in Mississippi.
He was a leader in the Mississippi NAACP and played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly in the areas of voting rights and school desegregation. He was assassinated in front of his home in Jackson on June 12, 1963.
Myrlie Evers, Medgar’s wife, was also a civil rights activist and continued the work of her husband after his death. She was the first woman to chair the NAACP and also served as an Ambassador to the United Nations.
A National Monument
The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home was purchased by the National Park Service in 2017 and was officially designated as a national monument in 2020. The home, where Medgar Evers was assassinated, has been preserved as it was on the day of the assassination and is open for tours.
The site includes a visitor center that displays exhibits on the Evers’ lives and their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. The site also includes an interactive garden, a mural and a replica of Medgar Evers’ office.
The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is a powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by the Civil Rights activists and it is an important cultural and historical resource for education and reflection on civil rights and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America.
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2. Historic Shiloh Military Park
Shiloh Military Park is a national military park located in southwestern Tennessee that commemorates the American Civil War Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.
The battle, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was one of the first major engagements of the Civil War in the Western Theater and resulted in a Union victory. The battle was fought between the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by General Albert Sidney Johnston, and the Union Army of the Tennessee, led by General Ulysses S. Grant.
The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with over 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded or missing. The Union army was able to repel the Confederate attack, and the victory marked a turning point in the war in the Western Theater and helped establish General Grant as a significant military leader.
The Park Is Also Home To A National Cemetery
Shiloh Military Park was established in 1894, and it includes a visitor center with exhibits and artifacts related to the battle and the Civil War. It also includes a walking trail that takes visitors to the key areas of the battlefield and includes interpretive markers that provide information on the battle and the troops who fought there.
The park also includes several monuments, memorials, and markers dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the battle, including the Illinois Memorial, the Indiana Memorial and the Wisconsin Memorial. The park is also home to the Shiloh National Cemetery, where many of the soldiers who died in the battle are buried.
Shiloh Military Park is managed by the National Park Service, and it is open to the public for tours and educational programs. It’s a popular destination for history enthusiasts and for those who want to learn more about the Civil War and its impact on the people and communities of the region.
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Things To Do At Shiloh
These are a few of my favorite things:
- Visit the Visitor Center
- Walk the Battlefield Trail
- View monuments and interpretive markers
- Attend ranger-led programs and talks
- Explore the historic Hornady Trestle Bridge
- Visit the Shiloh National Cemetery
- Attend special events and reenactments.
To Learn More About Shiloh
So many books have been written about the Civil War and the various battles that took place. Of course, the big three authors when it comes to war are, in my humble opinion, Bruce Catton, Shelby Foote and James M. McPherson.
What these three have written are the best collections of books encompassing the war as a whole. You can’t go wrong with any of these authors.
My personal favorite is Shelby Foote. I have read his fabulous three volume history of the Civil War–twice!
When it comes to the Battle of Shiloh, however, I’m going to recommend three books none of which have been written by the three men mentioned above (please forgive me).
To gain an understanding of this battle, its strategic importance, and how it influenced the outcome of the war, I recommend:
To gain an understanding of this battle, its strategic importance, and how it influenced the outcome of the war, I recommend:
- Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862, by O. Edward Cunningham
- Shiloh, Bloody Shiloh by Wiley Sword
- Shiloh: The Battle That Changed the Civil War by Larry J. Daniel.
1. Vicksburg National Military Park
Historic Vicksburg National Military Park is a site which commemorates what some Civil War Historians consider to have been the most significant battle of the American Civil War–Vicksburg.
The Siege of Vicksburg has been recognized around the world as one of the greatest military campaigns in history.
According to John Henry McCracken, Professor of History Emeritus at Lafayette College, it was at Vicksburg that Ulysses S. Grant learned only hard, long fighting and logistics will win the war.
Cutting The South In Two
The victory cut the South in two and doomed their efforts in the West.
How did Grant do it? He moved his army along the west bank of the Mississippi River to get below Vicksburg, where he completed a well-planned amphibious crossing of the Mississippi and took a daring gamble to feed his army off the countryside.
“IN JUST SEVENTEEN DAYS, GRANT MOUNTED THE LARGEST AMERICAN AMPHIBIOUS OPERATION UP TO THAT TIME, MARCHED 130 MILES, FOUGHT AND WON FIVE MAJOR BATTLES, CAPTURED A CONFEDERATE STATE CAPITAL AND FORCED THE GOVERNMENT TO FLEE, AND BESIEGED THE MOST IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE STRONGHOLD.
-B.A. FRIEDMAN, VICKSBURG: THE PAST AND FUTURE OF AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS
THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN, IN ITS VERY CONCEPTION, WAS AT LEAST AS BOLD AS MACARTHUR’S INCHON LANDINGS 85 YEARS LATER.”
There are some excellent books on the Battle of Vicksburg.
One of my favorites is Vicksburg: Grant’s Campaign That Broke the Confederacy by Donald L. Miller. Another is Vicksburg, 1863 by Winston Groom.
Things To Do At Vicksburg National Military Park
At the historic Vicksburg National Military Park there’s a vast array of cultural, historical and natural resources. Each visitor to the park receives an official park brochure and map detailing the driving routes, tour stops, and provides a brief history of the Vicksburg Campaign and Siege.
There’s a self-guided driving tour or you can make a reservation to take a guided park tour.
There’s no shortage of things to see and experience. I would recommend beginning your tour at the visitor center. Check out the more than 1,400 memorial monuments, tablets and markers which cover the 1,800-acre park.
They represent soldiers who served on both sides of the conflict.
The park also features an impressive 20 miles of trenches and earthworks which have been reconstructed to reflect the time period.
There’s Even A Gunboat–The U.S.S. Cairo
There’s even a gunboat! You can see the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat.
There’s also a Museum located within the park, enabling visitors to view the restored vessel, along with Civil War-era artifacts recovered during the boat’s excavation.
Other key attractions include: The Antebellum Shirley House and 4 other historic buildings, 9 historic fortifications, Vicksburg National Cemetery, 141 cannons and carriages and 15 historic bridges.
If you love history as much as I do then plan on spending the entire day at the park. It’s well worth it!
List Of Historic Sites In Mississippi
- Vicksburg National Military Park
- Shiloh Military Park
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
- Natchez National Historical Park
- Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum
- Tupelo National Battlefield
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
- Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
- Old Capitol Museum
- Biloxi Lighthouse
- Emerald Mound Site
- Waverly Mansion
- Windsor Ruins
- LQC Lamar House Museum
- Natchez “On Top Of The Hill” Historic District
About the Folks Behind More Than Just Park
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. My sons have spent their entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
As for me, I’m a retired lifelong educator and a proud dad of these two wonderful guys who are hopelessly obsessed with the national parks. I taught history for over a quarter of a century. Now I enjoy researching and writing articles for the More Than Just Parks website. I’m always on the hunt for topics where nature and history intersect so please feel free to share any ideas that you might have with me.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then sign up below!
Related Links
To learn more about the difference between the various National Park Service designations check out our article that explains everything!
Civil War Sites: Top 10 Best Civil War Sites & Battlefields
Mississippi National Parks: 9 EPIC Mississippi National Parks Worth The Visit
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