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America250 Mississippi is excited to announce the October 2025 dates for the national America250 initiative, Our American Story — a national oral and visual storytelling project designed to gather and preserve the voices that shape our nation. 

Our American Story is a year-long, cross-country journey collecting thousands of recorded interviews. Each tour stop will feature local activation events, media opportunities, and community engagement activities. Mississippi is proud to be one of the first five stops on the tour. 

Mississippians are invited to take photos with the America250 Airstream, interact with America250 kiosks, and record their own engaging American story. The America250 Airstream trailer will make a special appearance at the annual Great American Mississippi State Fair on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Facilitated by trained interviewers, sessions will follow curated storytelling prompts centered around themes of identity, service, community, and personal legacy. Conversations will be recorded and archived, with a portion preserved at the Library of Congress — ensuring these voices become a permanent part of the American record. 

Select stories — especially those featuring veterans, educators, and intergenerational families — will be shared with the public through collaborations with documentary filmmakers, broadcast outlets, and digital platforms. 

Our American Story Walk-Up Kiosk stops will feature:

• A kiosk where citizens can record and share their unique American stories
• Community engagement events and local storytelling activations
• Media opportunities to highlight local voices and perspectives 

Cleveland - Thursday, Oct. 9
10AM - 4PM
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi 

Columbus - Friday, Oct. 10
10AM - 3PM
Tennessee Williams Home & Visitor Center

Jackson - Saturday, Oct. 11
2:30PM - 6PM
Two Mississippi Museums 

The initiative is supported by founding sponsor Walmart, which will host many of the tour stops at its retail locations, and by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, which provide the vehicles transporting the mobile studios.

To find out how to participate or view the full tour schedule, visit www.America250.org/OAS and follow @America250 on social media.

About America250
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America. 

About America250
Mississippi America250 Mississippi is the state’s commission charged with collaborating and coordinating partnerships for the historic semiquincentennial commemoration of the United States. Funding for commemorative programming and grants is made possible in part by the Mississippi Legislature and by A250 MS local public and private partnerships.

For more information on A250 MS opportunities, programs, and initiatives, please visit https://america250.ms. 

For media inquiries, please contact Katie Coats, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Mississippi, at 228-357-4086 or KCoats@Mississippi.org.

For more information, please contact Paige Robertson, Executive Projects Manager at Visit Mississippi, at 601-359-6624 or PRobertson@Mississippi.org.

The board of trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History will convene next month in Jackson, hosting a public reception at the Old Capitol Museum ahead of its regular board meeting. The public reception is set for Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. at the Old Capitol Museum, 100 State St. The board meeting, which is also public, will be Oct. 17, at 9 a.m., on the second floor of the Two Mississippi Museums, 222 North State St.

The nine-member board comprises community leaders from across Mississippi, including Reginald Buckley of Jackson, MDAH Board President Spence Flatgard of Ridgeland, MDAH Board Vice President Nancy Carpenter of Columbus, TJ Taylor of Madison, Cyrus Ben of Philadelphia, Carter Burns of Natchez, Betsey Hamilton of New Albany, Mark E. Keenum of Starkville, and Lucius M. Lampton of Magnolia.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is the second-oldest state department of archives and history in the United States. The department collects, preserves, and provides access to the archival resources of the state, administers various museums and historic sites, and oversees statewide programs for historic preservation, state and local government records management, and publications. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

Mississippi is participating in the nationwide Great American State Fair initiative as part of the America250 commemoration

Multiple sponsors will provide free admission to the Two Mississippi Museums during the Mississippi State Fair, giving families and visitors an opportunity to explore the state’s history at no cost. Free admission will be offered on Friday, Oct. 3, sponsored by Hitachi Energy Crystal Springs; Friday, Oct. 10, sponsored by Nancy and Ray Neilsen; and Saturday, Oct. 11, sponsored by Jackson Mayor John Horhn.

The free admission coincides with the state fair’s participation in the nationwide Great American State Fair initiative as part of the America250 commemoration. 

“We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, whose support will allow fairgoers to explore the rich stories of Mississippi during this year’s state fair,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson said the free admission “affords a great opportunity to the public.”

 “Our close proximity makes this a perfect combination of education and entertainment, where visitors can learn more about our history and the contributions of our state while enjoying Mississippi agriculture and all that the state fair has to offer. I encourage our fairgoers to attend the Two Mississippi Museums while they are in Jackson,” said Gipson.

“At Hitachi Energy, our commitment extends beyond the workplace and into the communities we serve. Sponsoring a free admission day at the Two Mississippi Museums deepens our outreach, connects us with neighboring communities, and provides opportunities for people to engage with Mississippi’s history and civil rights legacy,” said Chivona Roberts, Community Engagement specialist at Hitachi Energy Crystal Springs. “For many, this may be their first museum visit, and we are proud to make that possible during the Mississippi State Fair—one of the busiest and most celebrated times of the year.”

“Jackson's two world-class museums—the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum—draw visitors from across the state, region, and globe. These Smithsonian-quality institutions tell a complete story: not just Mississippi's past but its future and untapped potential. They're helping reshape how the world sees our state,” said Ray Neilsen. 

“Jackson is proud to welcome visitors to our capital city during this historic state fair and America’s 250th celebration. Free admission to the Two Mississippi Museums gives families and fairgoers the chance to experience Mississippi’s place in the American story while also enjoying all that Jackson has to offer,” Mayor Horhn said.

The Two Mississippi Museums take visitors through the sweep of Mississippi history and the state’s role as ground zero in the nation’s Civil Rights Movement. The museums are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Museum Division of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), which administers numerous sites including the Two Mississippi Museums, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, and the Eudora Welty House and Garden, has received accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This is the highest national recognition afforded to museums in the United States. Accreditation is evidence of excellence and is a marker of MDAH’s dedication to its mission of preserving, documenting, and sharing Mississippi’s history.

Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. As part of the MDAH Museum Division accreditation, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians was officially reaccredited in 2025, while the Museum of Mississippi History, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and the Eudora Welty House and Garden received first-time accreditation.

"MDAH Museum Division sites have always maintained the highest professional standards, with both the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and the Old Capitol Museum previously earning AAM Accreditation,” said Museum Division Director Cindy Gardner. “In August 2005, the state history museum was diligently working on reaccreditation. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina damaged the Old Capitol and closed the museum. We are thrilled to once again be accredited, and this time as the Museum Division as a whole.”

Nan Prince, director of collections at MDAH, said the accreditation is a reflection of the hard work that happens behind the scenes.

"We are excited to receive this news following an intense process of self-study and peer review,” Prince said. “I am incredibly proud of our staff and accreditation is a wonderful recognition of all the hard work that contributes to the success of these museums."

AAM accreditation brings national recognition to qualifying museums for a commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over 50 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability.

For a museum to be considered for accreditation, it must meet AAM’s core standards. These standards include proper regulation of collections, educational goals, facility and financial management, and more.

Accreditation is a very rigorous process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, the museums first conducted a yearlong self-study followed by a review by AAM staff and a visit from peer reviewers. Because of this required process, AAM accreditation allots validation from others in the museum community.

The reaccreditation of MDAH’s Museum Division is evidence of its continuous dedication to sharing the state’s history through complex and often personal stories.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that our programs meet the mission of our sites, that our artifacts are cared for to the highest professional level, and that our sites are operated as some of the best museums in the state,” Gardner said. “The hard-working staff has allowed this to happen."

The gun and its holster belonged to J.W. Milam, one of two White men who confessed to killing the Black youth 70 years ago – a crime that sparked the Civil Rights Movement

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has announced that the gun used in the 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till and the weapon’s holster have been acquired and are now on display at the Two Mississippi Museums – Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

The Foundation for Mississippi History acquired the artifacts for donation to MDAH, the state agency with a mission to preserve Mississippi stories, historic places and artifacts. Both artifacts were owned by J.W. Milam, who along with his half-brother Roy Bryant, confessed to Till’s murder in a “Look” magazine article published in January 1956, some four months after an all-white jury in Tallahatchie County acquitted the men in the case.

The artifacts were acquired from a Mississippi family that is not connected to the case.

“The gun is the central artifact in one of the most important stories in Mississippi history and American history,” Two Mississippi Museums Director Michael Morris said Thursday, Aug. 28, during a news conference at the museums. “The artifacts are displayed in an exhibit about Till’s murder in an interpretation that tells the whole story – from the teen’s entry into Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market to his murder.”

Morris said MDAH informed Till’s family about the artifact acquisition. Wheeler Parker, a cousin who was in the home when Till was abducted by his murderers, thanked MDAH for acquiring and displaying the artifacts.

“I think it’s good because it brings closure. I hope you guys can find the ring and cotton gin. Thank you for doing this,” Parker said.

Joining Morris at the news conference were Katie Blount, director of MDAH; Jonathan Lee, board chairman of the Foundation for Mississippi History; Spence Flatgard, chairman of the

MDAH Board of Trustees; and members of both boards.

The artifacts will be on permanent display in a theater where a narrative film describes what happened to Till, a teenager from Chicago who had come to the South to visit relatives seven decades ago.

After purchasing bubble gum at the grocery store in Money, Mississippi, Carolyn Bryant, the wife of Roy Bryant, accused Till of whistling at her. Till was taken from his uncle’s home in the middle of the night on Aug. 28, 1955, and was not seen again until his body was found floating in the Tallahatchie River, tied to a gin fan, and disfigured from torture and lynching.

The FBI reopened the case in 2004 as part of the federal agency’s Cold Case Initiative, but after thorough review determined it lacked jurisdiction to bring charges. The serial number on the gun in the Two Mississippi Museums exhibit matches that of the gun investigated by the FBI.

“The gun and holster, along with other artifacts in the case, will be used to educate generations about this era in our nation’s history,” Morris said.

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The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is seeking a new executive director to lead the agency following the retirement of the current director. 

The director leads Mississippi’s state historical agency, overseeing a staff of approximately 160 people and a budget of roughly $13 million. The director serves as the public face of MDAH and represents the agency to a wide range of stakeholders. The director plays a central role in fundraising and resource development. The director must be able to clearly communicate the agency’s mission, articulate its priorities, and tell the story of its impact. 

The director leads engagement with the Legislature, donors, foundations, grantmaking organizations, and the public. The director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer and the State Archivist. In these roles, the director works closely with division leaders to ensure the agency’s statutory responsibilities are met and its strategic goals are advanced. Read more.

Mississippi Department of Archives and History Director Katie Blount—who led the agency through the establishment of the nationally recognized Two Mississippi Museums and supported efforts to adopt a new state flag—has announced her retirement after leading MDAH since 2015. Blount’s retirement will be effective June 30, 2026. 

Blount, who began her career at MDAH as a public relations coordinator in 1994, is the agency’s seventh director since 1902 and only the second woman to hold the position. (Charlotte Capers became the first woman to head MDAH and a state agency in 1955.) Blount has more than three decades of public service in Mississippi. 

Under her leadership, MDAH has strengthened relations with Tribal Partners through repatriation and begun work on several renovation or development projects at historic sites across the state, including the new Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center, Historic Jefferson College near Natchez, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, the stabilization at Windsor Ruins, and the upcoming Margaret Ann Crigler Park in downtown Jackson. 

Earlier this year, Blount was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for her commitment to inclusive storytelling, which has reshaped programming, interpretation, and staffing at the agency charged with preserving historical records, artifacts, and properties. Blount also developed the agency’s own long-term strategic plan that is implemented concurrently with the state-mandated plan. 

Blount said MDAH achievements during her tenure should be credited to the agency’s staff, who are committed to preserving Mississippi’s history and telling the stories of the state’s people and places. 

“Mississippi’s history is the central arc of American history—from the Native American experience to cotton and slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction, up to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond,” Blount said. “I’m extremely grateful I’ve had the opportunity to serve the people of this state and work alongside a staff whose passion to preserve history runs as deep as mine.” 

Spence Flatgard, president of the MDAH Board of Trustees, said the board will begin the search for Blount’s successor immediately. He described Blount’s leadership as “transformational.” 

“Her commitment to telling the full story of Mississippi’s compelling history has elevated the work of MDAH,” Flatgard said. “Katie is universally respected by her peers and state leaders. Her love for public service and for Mississippians has helped us tell our story to schoolchildren and to presidents. Our state has been blessed by her leadership, and she will always have our profound gratitude.” 

Businessman Kane Ditto, a former Jackson mayor who previously served as president of the MDAH Board of Trustees and is currently a member of the Foundation for Mississippi History Board of Directors, said Blount “has provided inspirational and strategic leadership for MDAH” in the 10 years since she became director. 

“When visiting with department staff, I am struck by their enthusiasm and sense of purpose. That attitude starts at the top,” Ditto said. “Building on the legacy of the department as a national leader in documenting and preserving our state history, Katie has led the department to new heights of achievement and recognition.” 

Blount said the key is to tell honest stories. 

“Embracing complex stories draws audiences and earns the trust of partners in a position to pour resources into Mississippi,” Blount said. “We have consistently shared Mississippi’s layers of rich narrative through our work.” 

Blount rose through the ranks at MDAH, working under previous directors, Elbert R. Hilliard and H. T. Holmes. She served as assistant to the director and deputy director for communication before she was promoted to director in 2015. 

During her tenure at MDAH, Blount shepherded the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums in 2017, during the state bicentennial. Since then, more than 744,000 people have visited from across the nation and other countries. 

In 2022, the William and Elise Winter Endowment was established by the Foundation for Mississippi History, the nonprofit that supports MDAH. The endowment ensures Mississippi students can attend the museums free of charge and covers the cost of transportation and lunch for the school field trips. 

“Ensuring that future generations have access to world-class museums that tell our state’s powerful history is a lasting legacy we can all be proud of,” Blount said.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson held a news conference on Aug. 8 to announce that the 166th Mississippi State Fair, to be held Oct. 2-13, will participate in the nationwide Great American State Fair initiative, part of the America250 commemoration. Gipson was joined by Gov. Tate Reeves and other state partners, including Mississippi Department of Archives and History historian Brother Rogers and Nancy Carpenter, who is development director of the America250 Mississippi Commission and a member of the MDAH Board of Trustees.

The announcement highlighted plans for patriotic events and activities during the Mississippi State Fair. Rogers announced that admission will be free at the Two Mississippi Museums the weekend of Oct. 10-12, thanks to generous financial support from City of Jackson Mayor John Horhn and Nancy and Ray Neilsen.

“One of the best ways to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is to learn our own history,” said Rogers. “Therefore, as part of the patriotic celebration at the Mississippi State Fair, we encourage fairgoers to visit the Two Mississippi Museums – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. The museums are located next door to the fairgrounds."

For more information about the Mississippi Great American State Fair and America250 events, watch the full announcement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abSYQ7k_gn4. 

The Nissan Foundation has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Foundation for Mississippi History to support student field trips for the 2025–2026 school year at the Two Mississippi Museums—the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

The funding will help offset costs related to admission, transportation, and on-site lunches, expanding access for thousands of students from Title I schools across the state. The support from the Nissan Foundation ensures more young Mississippians can engage with the state’s rich and complex history at no cost to their families or schools.

“We’re deeply grateful for the Nissan Foundation’s continued investment in our education initiatives,” said Katie Blount, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “This gift allows students to explore history in a dynamic and meaningful way at a world-class museum complex.”

“The most meaningful change often starts at the local level with people listening, learning and lifting one another up,” said Ali Tonn, senior manager of philanthropy at Nissan North America and executive director of the Nissan Foundation. “Our 2025 grantees create spaces where cultural curiosity thrives, and community bonds are strengthened. It’s a privilege to support organizations that are not only educating and inspiring but also helping to bond and unite. 

Since its founding in 1992, the Nissan Foundation has contributed nearly $18 million to more than 150 nonprofit organizations across the country. Its mission is to break down societal barriers and foster inclusive communities through educational and cultural outreach in the eight U.S. areas where Nissan operates. For two decades, Nissan has assembled vehicles in Canton, Mississippi. The plant employs more than 5,000 people and currently produces the Nissan Altima and Frontier.

The Two Mississippi Museums opened on December 9, 2017, in celebration of Mississippi’s bicentennial. Located at 222 North Street in Jackson, the museums are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To learn more about field trip opportunities or to make a reservation, contact Candace Williams, group tours coordinator, at cwilliams@mdah.ms.gov.

For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov. 

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The Mississippi Department of Archives and History kicked off commemoration of America 250 by hosting a Naturalization Ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums. By an oath of citizenship administered by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, 78 people became American citizens. More than 225 people attended, including statewide elected officials and members of the America 250 Mississippi Commission.

Governor Tate Reeves today announced the launch of Mississippi’s America250 Commission (A250 MS) alongside America250 Mississippi Co-Chair First Lady Elee Reeves, Co-Chair Lynn Hosemann, Visit Mississippi Executive Director Rochelle Hicks, and America250 Mississippi Commission Development Director Nancy Carpenter. The Commission is also co-chaired by Jolynn White.

“On March 28, 2023, I was proud to sign Senate Bill 2139, establishing America250 Mississippi,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “America’s journey has been marked by innovation, resilience and a steadfast commitment to freedom. I look forward to seeing how America250 Mississippi celebrates our state’s role in America’s exceptional story.”

“I take pride in knowing Mississippi's patriotism for the United States will shine during these commemorative events and programs,” said First Lady and A250 MS Co-Chair Elee Reeves. “This coming year is going to be a truly inspiring celebration of America's founding!”

"The national America250 Commission has presented many incredible opportunities to Mississippians,” said A250 MS Co-Chair Lynn Hosemann. “I am excited to see all the unique ways in which my fellow Mississippians and their communities will take part in this grand celebratory year, further instilling a sense of wonder and pride for what it means to be an American.”

“I am proud to see the American story told through the eyes of Mississippians as we prepare to celebrate this milestone in our nation’s history,” said A250 Co-Chair Jolynn White. “I know our communities will find creative ways to display their great pride and patriotism in what it means to be both a Mississippian and American.”

Leadership of the America250 Mississippi Commission (A250 MS) also announced several grant programs and public initiatives, inviting Mississippians to engage in the ongoing commemoration and celebration of the 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Among the various state offices participating in A250 MS initiatives and grant programs are Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and the Mississippi Humanities Council. These offices will run statewide grant programs to support local America250 celebrations and commemorations.

Additionally, the Two Mississippi Museums will launch a new exhibit called Mississippi Made, highlighting the state's creative talent, fortitude and ingenuity that has helped shape the fabric of America.

The Journal of Mississippi History, published by the Mississippi Historical Society, recently issued a call for submissions for a special edition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, providing a unique opportunity to explore Mississippi's rich history within the broader context of American history.

The A250 MS Commission invites Mississippi communities and vendors to submit information about their ongoing and planned commemorative and patriotic events celebrating America’s independence at the A250 MS website events page.

America250 Mississippi:

America250 Mississippi is the state’s commission charged with collaborating and coordinating partnerships for the historic semiquincentennial commemoration of the United States. Funding for commemorative programming and grants is made possible in part by the Mississippi Legislature and by A250 MS local public and private partnerships.

For more information on A250 MS grant opportunities, programs, and initiatives, please visit https://america250.ms.

America250:
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.

For more information on America250 grant opportunities and initiatives, please visit https://america250.org/americas-250th.

Video of the press conference can be found on Governor Reeves’ Facebook page.