MERIDIAN —     July is here. Fresh tomato sandwiches, cold and juicy watermelon, family reunions, Sunday singings and dinner-on-the-ground, yes, all things Mississippi. Oh, and one more thing – Travel Mississippi! There’s a lot to see and enjoy located right here in the Deep South. Read as I uplift the most beautiful State of the Fifty.

    Travel along with me:

. “Imagine a ride with the Mississippi mockingbird as it soars through the Mississippi skies.  Beginning in the land of Elvis at Tupelo, one moves down to the Piney Woods of East Central Mississippi where the ground is covered with fragrant pine straw and where Choctaw moccasins once walked the trails.  Then turn south where the ocean waves swell upon sandy beaches and sea gulls hover and squawk in the breeze. Continue onward to the mansions of historic Natchez and the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta where the blues reigns supreme.  Finally, swoop down toward Old Man River, the majestic Mississippi, and skim across its yellow waters.  The waters have seen war and defeat, loss and love, heartbreaks and triumphs. No sentiments need speaking. Only the sweet songs of the mockingbird are required to understand a land whose beauty is second only to the strength of its people.”  

    The above is a quote from my book “Historic Photos of Mississippi.” It tells Mississippi’s story in a nutshell -- beautiful strength, survivors, history of the highest integrity and the scars of tragedy as well. Oh, I love Mississippi, and I really enjoy traveling the back roads, stopping at each historic sign to see what is there, enjoying a lunch of country cooking at the small cafes located near the town squares. Meeting the people, swapping stories, scratching up kin (my granny could find kin within five minutes of a gathering of folks – it takes me ten minutes, but I’m working on it!). Allow me to offer a few Mississippi based road trips:

    1. Dunn’s Falls – Located along the Chunky River, off Interstate 59 South, near Enterprise, MS. The falls is a Pat Harrison Waterway State Agency with camping sites, paddle boats rentals, fishing, and a 65 foot waterfall as well as a grist mill replica. Young Irishman, John Dunn, built the original mill and waterfall during the 1850s. Address and phone number: 6890 Dunn’s Falls Road, Enterprise, MS 39330, 601 655 8550.

    2.  Old Capital Museum, Jackson. – Located in the heart of historic downtown Jackson MS is a stately building known as the Old Capital. The building served as the State Capital from 1839 to 1903. The building was transformed in 1961 into a beautiful and historic museum. There is a film available that tells the entire early history of the state, plus exhibits that tell the Mississippi lifestyle and culture of the 1830s including Native American history, Civil War history, colonial life, production of cotton, plus more. FREE admission – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday.

    3.  Jefferson Military College, Washington, MS – Located near Natchez on Hwy 61, Jefferson College was an all-male military college. It was the first educational institution of higher learning in Mississippi, chartered 1802. Historic Jefferson College was restored by Mississippi Department of Archives and History and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility is a private, non-profit foundation administered by Jefferson Military College Foundation. Several of the old red brick buildings are open for tours – FREE, Mon-Sat, 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday, 1-5 pm. For more info:  601 442 2901.

    4.  Tupelo Auto Museum, 1 Otis Boulevard, Tupelo, Ms. The museum features 120,000 square feet of automobile displays with over 100 antique, classic and collectible vehicles . The self-guided tour starts with an 1886 Benz, rare trucks, a Lincoln owned by hometown boy, Elvis, a Duesenberg – more displays are being added. Mon-Sat, 9 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday, 12 pm to 4:30 pm. Group rates available – Adults, $10, children 1-5, $9.00, also senior and military – children under 4 is free.  For more info:  662 842 4242

    5. Walter Anderson Museum, 510 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564-4632. Walter Inglis Anderson was born 1903 and was an American master, whose depictions of the plants, animals, and people of the Gulf Coast have placed him among the forefront of American painters of the 20th Century. Anderson lived in Ocean Springs for many years with his wife and children. Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 12:30 – 4:30 pm. Adults $10.00, AAA/Military/Seniors $8.00, Children (5-15) $5.00. For more info: 228 872 3164.

    6. B. B. King Museum, 400 Second Street, Indianola, MS 38751, The B. B. King website says it the best: From the cotton fields, street corners and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta came a new kind of music – the blues.  Considered by many to be the only truly indigenous American music, this form that has influenced musicians worldwide is deeply rooted in Delta soil. And so is the man who helped spread the blues as it foremost ambassador … Riley B. B. King Tues – Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday and Monday, 12 pm to 5 pm.  For more info: 662 887 9539.

    I have only listed a few areas in Mississippi. There is so much more – educational, historic, beautiful, enlightening, and they are for the taking/visiting. Each area could be a nice daytrip or a week- long- stay. I encourage you to TRAVEL MISSISSIPPI.

    During the next ten months, as a Teaching Artist listed on the Mississippi Arts Commission Roster, I have committed to travel from Tupelo to Biloxi, to the Delta, Vicksburg, Jackson, Greenville, Laurel, Collins, Enterprise, and a few other locations as I tell my Mississippi stories visiting schools, public libraries, non-profit organizations, civic clubs, community centers, historic sites – all located in my State of Mississippi. I can’t think of anything better that I had rather do! I hope I see YOU on a Mississippi road.



    Anne B. McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Visit her website at www.annemckee.net.