Mississippi Humanities Council

Natchez Screening – Holly Springs
2026-04-20 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | The Apothecary, 132 East College Avenue, Holly Springs, MS, 38635, United States
Join us for a free event featuring a screening of Natchez at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, in The Apothecary in Holly Springs. This 86-minute documentary journeys through an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads as it grapples with a deeply troubled history.
The program will include a post-screening panel featuring local scholars, community voices, individuals from the film, and, at most sites, the filmmakers themselves. For more information, visit mshumanities.org/program/screenings.
Other MHC-sponsored screenings of Natchez include:

April 11, 7 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, Vicksburg
April 12, 2 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums, Jackson
April 14, 5:30 p.m. at the MUW Fant Library, Columbus
April 20, 5:30 p.m. at The Apothecary, Holly Springs
May 28, 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater, McComb
May 29, 6 p.m. at the Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland

Speakers Bureau: "The American Revolution in the Gulf South"
2026-04-21 12:00 - 15:00 | Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 7th St N, Columbus, MS, 39701, United States
Max Grivno presents: “The American Revolution in the Gulf South”
The history of the American Revolution along the Gulf South is seldom told. Although most of the Europeans who called the region were sympathetic to the British — or at least hoped to remain neutral — the conflict soon engulfed the territory of what would, in time, become Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. This presentation examines how the American Revolution transformed the Gulf South. It tells the story of how the Americans, British and Spanish vied for control of the Mississippi River and Gulf seaports, and how the Choctaws and Chickasaws struggled to preserve their homelands by courting the rival powers. It describes James Willing’s disastrous raid on Natchez, the Choctaw occupation of Natchez and the campaign launched by Spanish Bernardo de Galvez, who conquered Natchez and Pensacola and drove the British from the region. The lecture also discusses the consequences of the Revolution for the people of the Gulf Coast In the aftermath of the war, the Spanish and the Americans vied to control Natchez and the territory around present-day Vicksburg, while native confederacies like the Choctaw and Chickasaw grappled with the rising power of the United States.

Words on Water - 3
2026-04-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Cutrer Mansion, 109 Clark St, Clarksdale, MS, 38614, United States
Join the Mississippi Humanities Council for “Words on Water: Reading, Reflection and Journeying on the Mississippi.” This two-week experience will bring together readers, students, educators, and community leaders for thoughtful discussions and a guided canoe journey along the Mississippi River near Clarksdale.
Participants will begin with conversations at the historic Cutrer Mansion centered on W. Ralph Eubanks’ acclaimed book When It’s Darkness on the Delta, then take those reflections onto the water with expert guides from Quapaw Canoe Company. The journey culminates in a special riverside dialogue with Eubanks himself, connecting story, history, and place in a powerful shared experience.
This program is part of the 2026 Being Human Festival and is supported by the National Humanities Center.
Registration is free and includes a copy of When It’s Darkness on the Delta, but space is limited, and attendees must commit to all four discussion dates.

April 7, 5–7 p.m. – Cutrer Mansion
April 14, 5–7 p.m. – Cutrer Mansion
April 21, 5–7 p.m. – Cutrer Mansion
April 25, 1–7:30 p.m. – Canoeing the Mississippi River, concluding with a meal and bonfire at the Quapaw Canoe landing

If you’re ready to read deeply, paddle boldly, and engage Mississippi’s stories “between the lines,” we encourage you to sign up today. The deadline for entry is March 29.
For more information or to reserve your spot, email Rei Lott at rlott@mhc.state.ms.us.

America250 Mississippi - Greenwood Cemetery Showcase
2026-04-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Belhaven University – McCravey-Triplett Student Center, 1500 Peachtree Street, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
Join us for a preview of the videos Belhaven University students have worked on, showcasing the following, buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

Jones S. Hamilton: Railroad pioneer and the story of his infamous murder trial.

Dr. Lewis T. Fitzhugh: The founding President of Belhaven University.

Lucius Lamar Mayes: The visionary developer behind the Belhaven neighborhood.

Lucy Tapley: A trailblazer and the first known woman to vote in Mississippi.

David Buck: A look at the modern-day tradition of beekeeping within the cemetery.

Words on Water - 4
2026-04-25 13:00 - 19:30 | Cutrer Mansion, 109 Clark St, Clarksdale, MS, 38614, United States

America250 Mississippi: Magee Chamber of Commerce America 250 Service Project
2026-05-01 - 2026-07-04 | Magee Chamber of Commerce, 117 1st Ave NW, Magee, MS, 39111, United States
The Chamber of Commerce in Magee along with all interested clubs, organizations, churches, businesses and individuals will be collecting 250 items to donate to the Veterans Home to show appreciation for their part in our rich history.

America250 Mississippi - Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival Bluegrass Night
2026-05-07 18:00 - 21:00 | The MAX, 2118 Front St, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
America’s longest-running music festival kicks off with a free performance curated by the Bluegrass Standard, featuring bluegrass legends The Grascals, Southern Legacy, and Becky Buller & Ned Luberecki.
To learn more about the Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, or to purchase tickets for Lach Thorton, Maggie Antone, Brent Cobb, Jamestown Revival, or Marcus King Band, please click here.

Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Utica
2026-05-16 - 2026-06-27 | Utica Institute Museum, 34175 MS-18,, Utica, MS, 39175, United States
Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Utica

Join MHC in Utica for the Spark! Places of Innovation tour of Mississippi!
May 16-June 27, 2026
Utica Institute Museum at Hinds Community College Utica Campus
601-885-7110 | uticainstitute.org
Exhibit hours:
Across 2026-2027, the Mississippi Humanities Council presents Spark! Places of Innovation, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring Utica, Meridian, Greenville, Oxford, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport. Special thanks to our statewide sponsor, Cadence Bank, for making this possible!
ABOUT SPARK!:
The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. Across our nation. And right here in Mississippi. Join us in 2026-2027 to catch a new Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring the state…and spark some new ideas of your own.
Spark! uses photographs, digital stories, objects, and interactive elements to explore the places, people, and circumstances that ignite innovation and invention in rural communities across our nation. The exhibit also offers a springboard for diverse local programming, spotlighting the stories, ideas, and innovations of Mississippians — and a call to contribute to the future of the towns we call home.

Everlasting Screening - Vicksburg
2026-05-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Strand Theatre, 717 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39183
Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers will be screening at the Strand Theatre thanks to a partnership between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, and the Mississippi Humanities Council. This original documentary from MPB explores the profound life, courage, and enduring influence of civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers.

The screening is free and open to the public and will be followed by a panel discussion on Evers’ legacy.

Saturday, May 16, 5:30 p.m. – The Strand Theatre, Vicksburg

Speakers Bureau: "Natchez in the Early American Economy"
2026-05-21 11:30 - 13:30 | Winston County Library, 301 W Park St, Louisville, MS, 39339, United States
Dr. Susan Gaunt Stearns presents “Natchez in the Early American Economy”
Dr. Susan Gaunt Stearns is an associate professor of history at the University of Mississippi. She currently teaches courses on US history, the history of the colonial and Revolutionary era America, the history of Mississippi, as well as graduate courses on historical methods and teaching history. Her research focuses on western expansion and its relationship to the creation of the United States and the development of the American and global economies. Her book, Empire of Commerce: The Closing of the Mississippi and the Opening of Atlantic Trade, received Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History’s book prize for 2024. She is currently working on a book examining the history of Memphis from pre-history to the American Revolution.

Natchez Screening – McComb
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Palace Theatre, 111 Main St, McComb, MS, 39648, United States
Join us for a free event featuring a screening of Natchez at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, in the Palace Theater in McComb. This 86-minute documentary journeys through an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads as it grapples with a deeply troubled history.
The program will include a post-screening panel featuring local scholars, community voices, individuals from the film, and, at most sites, the filmmakers themselves. For more information, visit mshumanities.org/program/screenings.
Other MHC-sponsored screenings of Natchez include:

April 11, 7 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, Vicksburg
April 12, 2 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums, Jackson
April 14, 5:30 p.m. at the MUW Fant Library, Columbus
April 20, 5:30 p.m. at The Apothecary, Holly Springs
May 28, 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater, McComb
May 29, 6 p.m. at the Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland

Natchez Screening – Cleveland
2026-05-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Delta Arts Alliance, 104 S. Court Street, Cleveland, MS, 38732
Join us for a free event featuring a screening of Natchez at 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, at the Delta Arts Alliance in Cleveland. This 86-minute documentary journeys through an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads as it grapples with a deeply troubled history.
The program will include a post-screening panel featuring local scholars, community voices, individuals from the film, and, at most sites, the filmmakers themselves. For more information, visit mshumanities.org/program/screenings.
Other MHC-sponsored screenings of Natchez include:

April 11, 7 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, Vicksburg
April 12, 2 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums, Jackson
April 14, 5:30 p.m. at the MUW Fant Library, Columbus
April 20, 5:30 p.m. at The Apothecary, Holly Springs
May 28, 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater, McComb
May 29, 6 p.m. at the Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland

America250 Mississippi – Mississippi250
2026-06-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-28 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-04 18:00 - 20:00 | The Grove Stage, University of Mississippi, 49 University Ave, University, MS, 38677, United States
The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council will expand its annual June Summer Sunset Concert Series with a special July 4th celebration in Oxford in 2026. The project blends live concerts highlighting Mississippi’s musical traditions with historian-curated readings and writing prompts on democracy, plus short documentary films exploring how Mississippi’s culture shapes the arts. Designed as a free, multimedia program, it aims to celebrate the state’s musical and democratic heritage, foster community reflection, and engage diverse audiences across generations.
The series will highlight a different element of Mississippi’s musical legacy each week—blues, gospel, country, rock and roll, and other traditions—while pairing each concert with a community writing prompt curated from historical writings on democracy. A historian will be engaged to compile a list of significant texts and excerpts related to democracy in America, with particular emphasis on Mississippi’s history and culture. This curated collection will then be adapted into age-appropriate reading lists and reflection questions, ensuring accessibility for both students and adults.
Dates:

Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.

Speakers Bureau: “The Marquis de Lafayette Visits Mississippi"
2026-06-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library, 900 Goodyear Blvd, Picayune, 39466, United States
William “Brother” Rogers presents “The Marquis de Lafayette Visits Mississippi”
In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Natchez on his farewell tour of America. Learn more about who he was and why this historic event was significant.

Everlasting Screening – Meridian
2026-06-13 17:00 - 19:00 | The MAX, 2118 Front St, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers will be screening at The MAX – The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience thanks to a partnership between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, and the Mississippi Humanities Council. This original documentary from MPB explores the profound life, courage, and enduring influence of civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers.
The screening is free and open to the public and will be followed by a panel discussion on Evers’ legacy.
Saturday, June 13, 5 p.m. – The MAX – The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

America250 Mississippi: Seeds of Freedom Pavilion Grand Opening
2026-06-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center, 1950 Lisa Drive, Greenville, MS, 38703, United States
Celebrate the completion of the Seeds of Freedom Pavilion at the Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center. This space commemorates individuals and groups that have worked and sacrificed for food sovereignty and agricultural innovation right here in the Mississippi Delta. This area honors their lives and legacy and shows how our community has been actively involved in the fight for freedom through access to basic needs. We look forward to celebrating with you June 18th from 5:00-7:00pm at 1950 Lisa Drive Ext Greenville, MS 38703.

America250 Mississippi: Keepers of the Coast: Preserving Black History at the Pleasant Reed House
2026-06-19 | Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, 386 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS, 39530
Keepers of the Coast: Preserving Black History at the Pleasant Reed House OOMA will update the Pleasant Reed House into an accessible, permanent learning hub for Biloxi’s Black history. Funding restores the historic front door, builds three film rooms, completes ADA-forward A/V, and finishes the Joys & Blues of East Biloxi documentary. The rooms will loop three shorts—City Within a City, The Biloxi Wade-Ins, and Joys & Blues. Launching with MLK Day and Juneteenth programs, these upgrades create daily, barrier-free access for visitors, students, and elders year-round.

America250 Mississippi - Long Beach 4th of July Jubilee
2026-06-27 | The City of Long Beach, 201 Jeff Davis Ave, Long Beach, MS, 39560, United States
The Long Beach 4th of July Jubilee will take place on Saturday, June 27th in Downtown Long Beach, offering a full day of family-friendly programming that celebrates community, tradition, and Mississippi culture. The celebration begins with an outdoor festival featuring local vendors, artisans, and food booths, showcasing Gulf Coast crafts, cuisine, and small businesses.

The event continues with a patriotic parade rolling through downtown, honoring our community’s spirit and service. The parade includes local families, civic groups, youth organizations, veterans, military personnel, and a selected Grand Marshal, reflecting the values of pride, unity, and gratitude.

Following the parade, the city will host a block party with live music, highlighting Mississippi musicians and bringing residents together in a joyful, shared experience. The evening culminates with a fireworks show on the beach, where families and friends gather along the shoreline, on boats, and throughout downtown to watch the display over the Gulf, a tradition that brings generations together and celebrates the place we call home.

This full-day celebration strengthens community connections, supports local vendors and artists, and honors the cultural traditions that define Long Beach and Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.

America250 Mississippi: Columbia Freedom Festival
2026-06-27 14:00 - 22:00 | 622 Main St, Columbia, MS 39429, USA, 622 Main St, Columbia, MS, 39429, United States
The Columbia Freedom Festival is a premier Fourth of July celebration designed to bring together families, visitors, and communities from across the Gulf South for a day of patriotism, entertainment, and connection. Hosted by the City of Columbia, this annual event transforms downtown into a vibrant destination filled with live music, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and a powerful celebration of American heritage. From the energy of the Liberty Stage to the charm of the Americana Market, every detail is designed to create an experience that is both memorable and meaningful. More than just a festival, this event reflects the spirit of Columbia—welcoming, proud, and rooted in tradition—while positioning the city as a regional destination for Independence Day celebrations. As an official partner event of Freedom250, the Columbia Freedom Festival is part of a larger national movement honoring 250 years of American independence, making it not only a celebration of today—but a tribute to the legacy that built it. Whether you’re here for the music, the food, the fireworks, or the community, the Columbia Freedom Festival is where tradition meets experience—and where freedom is celebrated together.

Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Meridian
2026-07-04 - 2026-08-15 | Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th Street, Meridian , MS
Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Meridian

Join MHC in Meridian for the Spark! Places of Innovation tour of Mississippi!
July 4-August15, 2026
Soule Steam Museum
601-693-9905 | industrialheritagemuseum.com
Exhibit hours:
Across 2026-2027, the Mississippi Humanities Council presents Spark! Places of Innovation, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring Utica, Meridian, Greenville, Oxford, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport. Special thanks to our statewide sponsor, Cadence Bank, for making this possible!
ABOUT SPARK!:
The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. Across our nation. And right here in Mississippi. Join us in 2026-2027 to catch a new Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring the state…and spark some new ideas of your own.
Spark! uses photographs, digital stories, objects, and interactive elements to explore the places, people, and circumstances that ignite innovation and invention in rural communities across our nation. The exhibit also offers a springboard for diverse local programming, spotlighting the stories, ideas, and innovations of Mississippians — and a call to contribute to the future of the towns we call home.

America250 Mississippi - July 4th Celebration with Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band
2026-07-04 11:00 - 13:00 | The MAX, 2118 Front St, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
Celebrate America’s 250th at The MAX with a free performance by Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band.

Led by “Fife Master” Shardé Thomas, granddaughter of the legendary Othar Turner, and percussionist Chris Mallory, their performance will honor freedom in all its forms: our nation’s independence, the emancipation of a people, and the creative spirit that defines Mississippi’s global artistic impact.
Come early and shop fresh produce at Earth’s Bounty, plus enjoy free admission to The MAX (special hours: 9 am-3 pm).
Stop by the Alexander Family Church Gallery to view an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood featuring Othar Turner, Jessie Mae Hemphill, and Abe Young, legends of Mississippi Hill Country fife and drum music, on loop through August 1 (courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions).

Speakers Bureau: "All Things Mississippi: The Beautiful Landscapes and the Great Strength of the People"
2026-08-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Anguilla Methodist Church, 631 Front St, Anguilla, MS, 38721, United States
Anne McKee presents “All Things Mississippi: The Beautiful Landscapes and the Great Strength of the People”
Anne McKee is recognized statewide as a passionate teacher of Mississippi history. Through the art of storytelling, Anne McKee uplifts the accomplishments of famous Mississippians and shares explores the history of a land and a people like no other. Native to the state, McKee’s love and support for Mississippi began in childhood as she sat at the knees of relatives to learn the Mississippi story—a story for her that is always new and fresh. She dresses in costumes representing the time period of the stories featured on the day of her programs, and at times, if the audience is willing, involves attendees in her stories.

Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Greenville
2026-08-22 - 2026-10-03 | Greenville Higher Education Center, 2900 US-1 South, Greenville, MS, 38701
Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Greenville

Join MHC in Greenville for the Spark! Places of Innovation tour of Mississippi!
August 22-October 3, 2026
Greenville Higher Education Center at Mississippi Delta Community College Greenville Campus
662-332-8500 | msdelta.edu/ghec/
Exhibit hours:
Across 2026-2027, the Mississippi Humanities Council presents Spark! Places of Innovation, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring Utica, Meridian, Greenville, Oxford, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport. Special thanks to our statewide sponsor, Cadence Bank, for making this possible!
ABOUT SPARK!:
The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. Across our nation. And right here in Mississippi. Join us in 2026-2027 to catch a new Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring the state…and spark some new ideas of your own.
Spark! uses photographs, digital stories, objects, and interactive elements to explore the places, people, and circumstances that ignite innovation and invention in rural communities across our nation. The exhibit also offers a springboard for diverse local programming, spotlighting the stories, ideas, and innovations of Mississippians — and a call to contribute to the future of the towns we call home.

Speakers Bureau: “Ain’t That America? History and Culture in the Country"
2026-09-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Anguilla Methodist Church, 631 Front St, Anguilla, MS, 38721, United States
James “Jim” Giesen presents “Ain’t That America? History and Culture in the Country”
Since 1920 the number of farmers in America has been dropping, yet the place of farming — and of rural life generally — in the American mind is stronger than ever. The images we encounter in country songs, labels at the grocery store and in country-fried restaurants tell us that to live the rural life is to live the most American of lives: to work honestly, for long hours and for mostly internal rewards. Our culture presents farmers as nothing short of heroes. But this was not always the case. This talk charts the rise, fall and rise again of the American farmer and rural life in the American consciousness with images from music videos, snippets of song lyrics, Cracker Barrel billboards and even some Congressional testimony. It seeks to answer the questions, why does this particular image of the farmer hold such sway, and what do the changes in that image over time tell us about Americans’ insecure relationship with its history?

America250 Mississippi - The Town Creek Celebration & Archaeology Exposition Festival
2026-10-03 | Dorothy J. Lowe Memorial Library / Nettleton, 165 Young Avenue, Nettleton, MS, 38858, United States
The Town Creek Celebration & Archaeology Exposition is a one-day, multi-generational cultural heritage event hosted in Nettleton, Mississippi. Designed to honor the region’s Indigenous, civic, and civil rights history, the event will take place at Lowe Library and surrounding venues. Through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, oral history recordings, and educational panels, the project will foster community pride, historical awareness, and inclusive learning.
Activities will include Indigenous dance and music performances, flint knapping demonstrations, genealogy workshops, and civil rights panels featuring renowned historians and advocates. Attendees will also contribute to a large-scale place-name mapping exhibit, highlighting the Chickasaw and Choctaw linguistic heritage embedded in Mississippi’s geography. All oral histories and genealogy resources will be archived at Lowe Library, ensuring long-term educational access and cultural preservation.
The event is expected to engage over 500 participants, including youth, elders, educators, tribal members, and civic leaders. Its inclusive design ensures that every attendee, regardless of age, background, or experience, can participate meaningfully in the celebration and contribute to the preservation of local history.

The Town Creek Celebration & Archaeology Exposition is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, as a full-day public event hosted at Lowe Library and surrounding venues in Nettleton, Mississippi. Programming will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until 8:30 PM, culminating in a patriotic fireworks finale.
Planned Activities Include:

9:00 AM – Opening Ceremony: Welcome remarks and overview of the day’s events
9:30 AM – Indigenous Place-Name Mapping Exhibit Opens: Interactive map of Mississippi with magnetic markers for Chickasaw and Choctaw town names
10:00 AM – Oral History Recording Station Opens: Video interviews with older citizens begin; historic audio archive available for listening
10:30 AM – Flint Knapping Demonstration & Artifact Showcase: Live tool-making demo and relic identification station
11:30 AM – Chickasaw Dance & Music Performance: Traditional regalia and live music presentation
1:00 PM – Indigenous-Inspired Art Workshops Begin: Hands-on sessions led by certified art educators
2:30 PM – Genealogy Panel & Family Tree Distribution: Expert guidance and free four-generation family tree charts
4:00 PM – Civil Rights & Historical Perspectives Panel: Featuring Kenneth Mayfield, Al Arnold, Mitch Caver, and Brad Deramus
6:00 PM – Natchez Trace Interpretation: Presentation by National Park Service ranger
7:30 PM – Patriotic Finale: Live performance of The Star-Spangled Banner followed by a choreographed fireworks display

Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Oxford
2026-10-10 - 2026-11-21 | Oxford Lafayette Library, 401 Bramlett Blvd , Oxford, MS, 38655, United States
Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit in Oxford

Join MHC in Oxford for the Spark! Places of Innovation tour of Mississippi!
October 10-November 21, 2026
Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library
662-234-5751 | lafayettems.com/places/lafayette-county-oxford-public-library/
Exhibit hours:
Across 2026-2027, the Mississippi Humanities Council presents Spark! Places of Innovation, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring Utica, Meridian, Greenville, Oxford, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport. Special thanks to our statewide sponsor, Cadence Bank, for making this possible!
ABOUT SPARK!:
The story of human history is written in inventions and innovations. Across our nation. And right here in Mississippi. Join us in 2026-2027 to catch a new Smithsonian traveling exhibit touring the state…and spark some new ideas of your own.
Spark! uses photographs, digital stories, objects, and interactive elements to explore the places, people, and circumstances that ignite innovation and invention in rural communities across our nation. The exhibit also offers a springboard for diverse local programming, spotlighting the stories, ideas, and innovations of Mississippians — and a call to contribute to the future of the towns we call home.
