About MDAH

Empowering people through Mississippi’s many stories is our vision.

Whether you are interested in researching Mississippi history, visiting historic places, preserving history, attending or sponsoring history-themed events, engaging students with history, properly managing government records or finding opportunities for volunteering, internships and careers, MDAH can connect you with the experiences and information you seek.

By preserving Mississippi’s diverse historic resources and sharing them with people around the world, MDAH inspires discovery of stories that connect our lives and shape our future.

Who We Are

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History was founded in 1902 to collect, preserve, and provide access to the archival resources of the state. Our commitment to preservation continues today through the work of the department’s five divisions.

MDAH is governed by a nine-member board of trustees whose president is Spence Flatgard of Ridgeland. Katie Blount has served as department director since February 2015.

Administration

Administration comprises human resources, financial services, operations, and information systems.

Archives and Records Services

Archives and Records Services oversees the state archives and public reading rooms, where documents, photographs, and other items from the state’s vast collection are made available free of charge to the public.

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Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation works with property owners to preserve the state’s historic sites and structures.

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Programs and Communication

Programs and Communication focuses on programming, education, public relations, and marketing for the entire department.

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Museums

The Museum Division oversees the Museum of Mississippi History, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Eudora Welty House & Garden, Manship House Museum, Old Capitol Museum, and the historic section of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson; the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in Natchez; Historic Jefferson College in Washington, and Winterville Mounds in Greenville.

Eudora Welty House

Eudora Welty House

See where the Pulitzer Prize-winning author lived, entertained, and wrote all her stories.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

Discover stories of Mississippians such as Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Vernon Dahmer, who changed America as local leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. 

Museum of Mississippi History

Museum of Mississippi History

Explore 15,000 years of history and learn how our shared past influences our future together.

Old Capitol Museum

Old Capitol Museum

The Old Capitol is the site of some of the state's most significant history.

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians

The Grand Village is a museum and 128-acre park featuring three prehistoric Native American mounds, a reconstructed Natchez Indian house, and a nature trail.

Historic Jefferson College

Historic Jefferson College

Historic Jefferson College is the birthplace of Mississippi’s statehood in 1817.

Manship House Museum

Manship House Museum

The Manship House Museum interprets the daily life of a 19th-century Mississippi family through the house the family lived in for so many years.

Winterville Mounds

Winterville Mounds

For hundreds of years, travelers have visited the communal gathering space at Winterville Mounds.

Governor's Mansion

Governor's Mansion

The Governor’s Mansion has been the residence of Mississippi governors and their families since 1842.

News & Articles

The Foundation for Mississippi History has been awarded $225,000 by the Mississippi Arts Commission for the construction of Margaret Ann Crigler Park in Jackson.

Two community engagement sessions will be held on Nov. 20 to introduce the public to a new interpretive center planned in conjunction with the Vicksburg National Military Park. The project is a collaboration of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign (FOV), and the National Park Service at the Vicksburg National Military Park.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is the recipient of three 2024 Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Awards. During the recent SEMC awards luncheon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, MDAH was recognized with the following: Silver Award in the poster category for the Two Mississippi Museums 2024 Makers Fest Poster. Silver Award in digital education over $10,000 budget category for MDAH Digital Snapshots – exhibits designed to introduce to a broader audience lesser-known, selected collections from the state agency’s Digital Archives Collection. Bronze Award in the gallery guides category for the Two Mississippi Museums Family Guide.

A free, public screening of “Little Brother of War” will be held Sunday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Mississippi Museums.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is accepting applications for three 2025 fellowships: the Eudora Welty Research Fellowship, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research F

A display of creepy dolls from the MDAH Collection opens Oct. 1 at the Two Mississippi Museums. The free monthlong display features six dolls from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century and provides an eerie glimpse into children’s playthings from the past.

Events

Mississippi Historic Preservation Professional Review Board Meeting
November 21, 2024, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

At 1 p.m.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
November 23, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Join us at the historic Eudora Welty House & Garden every Saturday afternoon this November for a cozy, inspiring writing space as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!

Free Sundays at the Two Mississippi Museums
November 24, 2024, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Admission to the Two Mississippi Museums is free every Sunday. 

Articles and Publications

MDAH and our partner organizations produce a number of detailed publications related to Mississippi history and prehistory. Select a publication for information on topics, purchasing or subscribing.

Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

Annual Report

Annual Report

Partnerships

Volunteer

Be part of history. Volunteer with MDAH and help us preserve and connect Mississippi’s rich historic resources with people around the world.


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