It’s no secret that Mississippi has seen more than its share of hard times throughout history. From the deflation of the cotton industry to seemingly endless natural disasters, it has been forced to shrug off bad luck time and time again. But if there is a silver lining to be found in this, it’s that the state simply would not exude the same authentic culture—its music, art, cuisine and warm people—were it not for the influence of this adversity.
Inland Mississippi, which includes the capital, Jackson, is sprinkled with a number of small cities that manage to blend the state’s genuine Deep South character with modern prosperity. And while all are brimming with good old Southern hospitality, succulent cuisine and homegrown regional art and music, each locale also boasts its own unique flavor. Just as Hollywood and the Brooklyn Bridge are quintessentially American, Mississippi represents the heart of the true American South. And for visiting groups, there is no experience like it in the world.
Jackson
If you fail to catch a glimpse of Jackson’s slogan on the way into town, it won’t take long to figure it out. As the state’s capital and largest city, the "City with Soul" is at once accessible, affordable and packed with interesting ways for groups to absorb the culture. Of all of Inland Mississippi’s cities and towns, this is the one that will overwhelm you with options, particularly when it comes to music.
"If music heritage is what you crave, then a visit to one of the many Blues Trails Markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail is a must—Jackson claims the most of any city in the state," says Wanda Collier-Wilson, CEO and president of the Jackson CVB. "Or find musical delight by catching a performance by the world-class Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, or grab a bite and a drink at an authentic blues ‘juke joint.’"
Along with cities like Memphis and Chicago, Jackson was integral to the birth of American Blues, and Mississippi’s Delta region even claims its own style of blues, appropriately dubbed "Delta Blues." The great thing for planners is that arranging for a group experience of some first-rate local blues almost takes no planning at all—live music is ever-present. An excellent group primer, though, is a visit to famous Malaco Records, a titan of the Southern blues, soul and gospel music industries. Thorough group tours are available.
The newly renovated Farish Street Entertainment District is another natural choice for groups, with a whopping 690 listings in the National Register of Historic Places. Take the group on a walking tour of the neighborhood, organized by the CVB, and then inhale some classic soul food at neighborhood eateries like the Big Apple Inn or Peaches. Later, as the evening winds down, head over to such venues as Hal & Mal’s or the 930 Blues Cafe for some rich local blues performances.
"With over 200 unique dining experiences, 25 cultural attractions and over 70 annual events, any group visiting Jackson will see why they made the right choice," Collier-Wilson says.
Aside from mastering the sound and flavors of the South, Jackson also holds a crucial role in the region’s history and provides limitless ways for visitors to catch up on the past. With the help of several tour and charter companies—such as Anointed Tours & Travel or Cline Tours—planners can take the group for a ride along the Civil Rights Driving Tour, which covers such historic sites as Freedom Corner (home of Medger Evers), historic Tougaloo College and the Margaret Walker Alexander National African-American Research Center. Groups can also spend a day at the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, just steps from the Mississippi State Capitol building, which explores and celebrates the African-American experience in the Deep South. The museum provides group tours and can also host group events.
For a unique experience of the city, planners can charter the Fondren Express, a classically styled trolley bus, choosing between three tour packages: the African-American Heritage Tour, the Jackson Historical Tour or the Area Cultural Tour. Custom-designed programs can also be arranged.
Meridian/Lauderdale County
With a background intertwined with the railroad industry and a large role in the Civil Rights Movement, Meridian can be a real treat for history buffs. Additionally, the city’s nine registered historic districts are filled with excellent examples of 19th and 20th century architecture, including Art Deco, Late Victorian, Queen Anne and Italianate.
The train fans in the group will want to head over to the Meridian Railroad Museum, housed in the 100-year-old Railway Express Agency building. The museum offers a detailed history of Meridian railroading, including recovered artifacts, photography and a model railroad.
Despite its well-preserved history, Meridian is no city living in the past, and in fact is well-known for its thriving arts scene.
"We have a variety of attractions that make for different off-site functions," says Suzy Johnson, executive director of the Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau. "Coordinate your meeting with any one of our number of entertainment schedules, such as the MSU Riley performing arts schedule, the historic Temple Theatre or—one of Mississippi’s oldest local theater productions—the Meridian Little Theatre."
The Grand Opera House, built in 1889, was renovated in 2006 after being closed for 70 years, and today doubles as an impressive conference venue and major performance hall. Renamed the MSU Riley Center, it’s an ideal place for a group to catch a show, whether Mississippi blues and gospel, national theater or international cultural performances. Top-name performers at MSU Riley Center have recently included B.B. King, Lyle Lovett and Los Lobos. The 2010 season includes performances by Cassandra Wilson, Keb’ Mo’ and the Vienna Boys Choir, as well as theater productions such as Little Mermaid.
Meanwhile, the 30,000-square-foot conference facility at MSU Riley Center is an architectural standout with Victorian decor.
For groups interested in country music or music history in general, it would be hard to pass up a visit to the Jimmy Rodgers Museum. Considered the father of American country music, Rodgers was born and raised in Meridian and, not surprisingly, worked the railroad as a brakeman while forming his unique sound. The museum can arrange for special group visits and private events.
Lastly, for a picturesque off-site that mixes nature with history, consider the Historic Carroll Richardson Gristmill. With a thundering 65-foot waterfall nearby that was used as a power source for the manufacturing of Stetson hats, the mill is additionally set in a natural wildlife refuge and offers group tours, picnic areas with barbecue pits and nearby hiking.
Hattiesburg
Located 100 miles from Jackson, the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., it’s no wonder Hattiesburg was long ago dubbed "Hub City." In fact, historically this city fielded a tremendous amount of traffic for being at the confluence of several major railroad lines, and later from the highways that replaced them.
The historic Saenger Theater, which opened in downtown Hattiesburg on Thanksgiving Day 1929, today serves as a popular venue for performing arts troupes. With a 1,000-seat capacity and featuring its original pipe organ, the theater can make a great authentic venue for group events. Tours are also available.
The African American Military History Museum, which opened last year, offers a fascinating look at the military contributions of African-Americans in every armed conflict, from the Revolutionary War up through today. The museum is housed in the historic USO Club, which was used by African-American soldiers as far back as 1942, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Vicksburg
Just 40 miles west of Jackson, on the bank of the Mississippi River, the town of Vicksburg is steeped in history. Most notably, it staged a major turning point in the Civil War, when Union troops took the city after a 47-day siege, coinciding with Gen. Robert E. Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg. For history buffs, the town’s 1,800-acre Vicksburg National Military is packed with military artifacts, and even boasts a full Union ironclad gunboat.
Because of its strategic location, Vicksburg also received a significant amount of steamboat traffic during the 19th century. In tandem with this traffic, Vicksburg had a booming gaming industry, which helped the town become one of the wealthiest in the region. Today, groups can experience both sides of this history, albeit with a modern twist, by visiting one of Vicksburg’s five major waterfront casinos, one of which is an actual multilevel riverboat casino. Many of the casinos double as hotels, and plenty of waterfront dining is available.
For a different kind of history, groups can tour the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, where the first bottling of Coca-Cola took place in 1894. The museum is naturally located in the historic district of downtown, which is itself a treat for groups craving a glimpse of the past. In addition to plenty of restaurants, the historic district is filled with antique shops, museums and preserved churches.
Starkville/Greenwood
Home to Mississippi State University, the state’s largest college, the quaint town of Starkville enjoys a youthful culture and a lively arts community. While permanent cultural draws—numerous museums, art galleries and a symphony—provide year-round appeal, it is the surprising number of festivals and special events that really define Starkville. This is a place that likes to celebrate.
Among the various events are The Magnolia Independent Film Festival, held every February; the Cotton District Arts Festival & Taste of Starkville, an April event featuring live music, arts and crafts vendors and plenty of good Southern food; the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival, a fall celebration of the Man in Black, who was arrested in Starkville in 1965 for picking flowers (and being drunk). Cash later wrote a song about Starkville, and the festival includes an annual re-pardoning by the city.
The Cotton District, formerly a collection of old cotton mill shanties, today is known for its New Urbanist architecture, and is a great place for groups to visually feast on colorful facades and ornate landscaping. For a taste of local literary culture, group visits are available to the John Grisham Room at Mitchell Memorial Library. This best-selling author, who often sets his courtroom dramas in the South, graduated from MSU.
Located at the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood is a quintessential Delta town, and boasts seven districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, the best way for groups to soak up this Delta experience is to simply enjoy a stroll downtown to discover its many independent shops, catch dinner or stop into a blues show. If the Southern cuisine really takes hold of your group, consider a group demonstration or hands-on cooking classes at the Viking Cooking School.
—Hunter Holcombe is a freelance writer who covers leisure travel and the meetings, conventions and incentives industry.
