Enjoy a day of games, music, art, and food at the fourth annual Gathering on the Green at the Old Capitol Museum, Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to another fun-filled day on the grounds,” said Old Capitol Museum director Clay Williams. “Every year the festival gets bigger and better, and this year we’re excited to add more music and an archaeology dig to our family friendly activities.”
Mississippi Department of Archives and History archaeologists and volunteers will excavate a new site on the Old Capitol grounds. Old coins, an original fence post, and brick walkways are some of the many items uncovered in previous digs. Visitors are invited to bring artifacts such as projectile points and pottery for identification by the archaeologists.
Hoop and stick, marbles, lawn chess, and other old–fashioned children’s games will be organized on the green for kids of all ages, and the Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Art will offer creative activities for families. The state’s traditional arts will also be on display throughout the day as members of the Mississippi Craftsmen’s Guild offer demonstrations and exhibit their wares.
New to the Gathering on the Green musical stage is Hardtack and Coffee, who will perform Civil War-era music, and the choir group Madison Young Singers. Hinds Community College will return with its jazz and rock bands.
Jackson’s first gourmet food truck, Lurny D’s Grille, will sell hamburgers and hand-cut fries. AntBees will sell funnel cakes, corndogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and more.
The Old Capitol Museum will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. Admission to the museum and festival are free. This year’s sponsors include Downtown Jackson Partners, Glynn Griffing and Associates, and Neel Schafer.
The Capitol Green has been a gathering place for Mississippians for the past 180 years. It is the only remaining green space from the original city plan designed and implemented by Peter Van Dorn in 1822. The Old Capitol, Jackson’s oldest building, is a National Historic Landmark. Located on State Street at Capitol, the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, free of charge. Tours are given every Wednesday at 1:30 pm and by appointment. For more information call 601-576-6920 or
email the Old Capitol Museum.
