Beginning Genealogy Workshop on Saturday, Feb 4, at 10 a.m. at the William F. Winter Archives & History Building. FREE. Register Now.
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Welcome to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

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.

Empowering people through Mississippi’s many stories.

That’s our vision at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. We are here to help you explore and discover your Mississippi stories.

You can use this website, and our reading rooms in downtown Jackson, to:

  • Research historical records, archival collections and special publications
  • Discover historical sites and museums to visit all around the state
  • Check out upcoming events, including our History is Lunch series
  • Preserve Mississippi’s historic buildings and archaeological sites
  • Download field trip guides, lesson plans, and teaching units
  • View regulations for managing state and local government records
  • Find out how to volunteer, donate, and more
News & Events

Find the latest news, upcoming programs, and special exhibitions at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

News & Events

Research

Discover your story. Search the ultimate primary resource of Mississippi’s historical documents, photos, videos, and more.

You can use our online collections, and the extensive resources at our reading rooms in downtown Jackson, to build your family tree, create an engaging presentation, or simply explore your Mississippi history.

Get Started

Explore

Real stories, real places. Set out on a hands-on history adventure and discover the people and places that shaped your Mississippi.

MDAH welcomes curious visitors of all ages to more than a dozen museums, historic sites and cultural attractions throughout the state.

Go Places

Preserve

Tell your story for generations to come. Mississippi is rich in architectural and archaeological history.

See How

Volunteer

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

Volunteer

Teachers & Students

Stories are for sharing. Help your students explore their Mississippi history from K-12 to college.

Discover ready-to-use field trip guides, professional development opportunities, a host of classroom resources and information on Mississippi History Day, our history-themed student competition.

Education

News & Articles

1/25/2023
At its regular meeting on January 20, the MDAH Board of Trustees awarded more than $3 million on behalf of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program to nineteen preservation and restoration projects across the state.
1/11/2023
Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $2.5 million grant to the Foundation for Mississippi History to help the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) support and promote programs, activities, and projects focused on the understanding and interpretation of the role of religion in Mississippi history and culture.
1/5/2023
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History will offer three days of free admission thanks to the support of FedEx. The museums will be free to the public in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Saturday, January 14, through Monday, January 16. 
12/22/2022
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) project to stabilize the Windsor Ruins site will continue through the spring of 2023. More than a century of destructive exposure to the elements has caused significant erosion to the 45-foot-tall Corinthian columns and fracturing of cast iron capitals on the columns.
12/21/2022

MDAH offices and archives library will be closed Friday, December 23 to Monday, December 26. All museum sites will close at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 24, and reopen on Tuesday, December 27.

12/1/2022
The Mississippi Museum store will host a Holiday Open House at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.  The event is free to the public. There will be a 10 percent discount on all merchandise during the open house, and museum members will receive a 20 percent discount on store items. 

Events

History Is Lunch: Anne Martin Vetrano, “Delta Hot Tamales: History, Stories, and Recipes”
February 1, 2023, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

At noon on Wednesday, February 1, Anne Martin Vetrano will present “Delta Hot Tamales: History, Stories, and Recipes” as part of the History Is

Beginning Genealogy Workshop
February 4, 2023, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Just getting started in genealogical research? Come to the Beginning Genealogy Workshop presented by Andrew McNulty at 10 a.m.

Family Days at the Two Mississippi Museums
February 4, 2023, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Come visit the Two Mississippi Museums every Saturday from 1–4 in February for activities designed for our youngest visitors.