marshall county historical museum

This tiny museum has lots of great history within the walls. A large amount of the exhibits have been donated by families within the town. The curator Lois is quite knowledgeable and really loves history and the museum itself. She has dedicated a lot of her life to making this museum what it is today. This place is definitely worth the meager amount of admission that is charged. Be sure to visit some of beautiful Antebellum homes within this town as well as the cemetery.

Jam packed with stuff from the attics of several generations of residents. We were led through by an incredibly erudite guide. There are military and household artifacts, clothing and household objects and even a vintage medical office. You can tell they're pitifully underfunded and cobbled together by local volunteers but what a wonderful portrait of the history of a small town. I will add that the black community is not any well nearly as well represented as the white. There are a few nods to the area's history of racial inequality but in a way the partial picture is, in and of itself, illuminating.

This is a small museum, but it is well worth your time. There were items I had had seen before, and the ladies will give you the tour and their input or you can tour on your own. Don't miss this!

Holly Springs, Mississippi, is off the beaten path, north of Oxford, east of Memphis, west of Tupelo, south of nowhere you ever heard of. I had heard about the town many years ago while researching other Civil War memorabilia. Its antebellum reputation is akin to another more publicized Civil War town in Mississippi, Port Gibson, on the road from Vicksburg to Natchez. I've been to Port Gibson on several occasions. But never Holly Springs--until our last visit to Oxford. Since Holly Springs is only a short drive away, we decided to make the trip. We're glad we did. Did you know that Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Faulkner, who lived in Oxford, based his fictionalized Yoknapatawpha County on a diary found at a Holly Springs plantation? There is a lot to see in Holly Springs despite a population of 8,000. Near the Mississippi Delta, the area was developed as cotton plantations, which depended on slave labor. It was founded by European Americans in 1836, on territory historically occupied by Chickasaw Indians for centuries before Indian Removal. During the Civil War, the town was used by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant as a supply depot and headquarters. Today, much of the history of Holly Springs and surrounding Marshall County can be examined at the Marshall County Historical Museum, located at College and Randolph Streets in Holly Springs. More than 40,000 artifacts relating to Marshall County history. Three floors of display space are devoted to Civil War items from 62 raids on Holly Springs, a military uniform collection, an old doctor's office, women's clothing from the 1870s and Victorian dollhouses. The museum lists noted philanthropist Warren Buffett among its financial supporters. Like Natchez, Holly Springs sponsors an annual pilgrimage to showcase local houses and mansions. The most popular sites in the 76th pilgrimage last April were Walter Place, The Terrace, Montrose, Burton Place and Hedge Farm. Holly Springs was the birthplace of civil rights and women's rights activist Ida B. Wells and the home of 13 Confederate generals, an antebellum cotton town and center of social and cultural life in the area.

A wealth of local history in an unassuming place! The staff was welcoming and knowledgable. Martha was very kind to walk us through the first level. The second and third level were self guided and even more impressive. Even the building itself has historical significance. Great way to spend an afternoon and well worth the $5 admission fee.

It's really hard to rank museums when you have the Smithsonian, other museums in big cities, then little gems like this in "Small Town, USA". This doesn't have the "glitz and glamor" of big city museums, but it's got some great artifacts, interesting information, and a lot of heart. When you start out, you are somewhat overwhelmed by the hodge podge arrangement of everything, but you get use to it and it becomes quite enjoyable. We stayed for 2.5-3 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to Jennifer for helping us get in the Yellow Fever church and for finding and returning my glasses. If you are in the area, definitely check this out. If Warren Buffett can support it, you know it must be worth going to - he helped them put in an elevator.

This place has great history to its name and tourism is big with this building and holds its own for dozens and dozens of years!

I must admit that we happened into this Holly Springs museum looking for a bathroom. When we peeked in the door we almost left, somewhat overcome by the "clutter". Thank goodness we were intercepted by "Miss Lois", one of the unexpected delights of our Mississippi trip. Miss Lois is actually a missus, 86 yrs. young, and she had a wonderful story to tell about most everything in the beautiful antebellum home turned museum. Her own story was worth the visit. The historical artifacts were amazing and took on special meaning as they were largely donations from Holly Springs families who lived the history there.Don't miss this one. It's reason enough to go to Holly Springs. Hope you find Miss Lois!