We love our hiking and rustic adventures, but every now and then we like to explore our close-by urban environments. We recently stopped into the Mississippi capitol city of Jackson, to visit the Mississippi Museum of History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, located in the same building. In addition, a special exhibit about Prohibition in Mississippi was featured on the second floor.

All of the exhibits were fascinating, many were interactive, and we literally spent the whole day there… and still didn’t get to see it all. The history section explored Mississippi’s timeline, from prehistoric times to the present day. The history of prohibition in Mississippi was especially interesting. We had no idea that Mississippi outlawed alcohol a decade before the 18^th amendment banned it nationwide… and didn’t repeal prohibition until 1966! Poor Mississippians!

The Civil Rights Museum told stories of Mississippians like Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Vernon Dahmer, as well as those who traveled miles to stand beside them, in the name of equal rights for all.

We also learned a lot about the ancient and present-day tribes of the Natchez, Choctaw and Chickasaw. Since we’re hiking the Natchez Trace though the center of the state, we are truly in awe of all the peoples who came before us, walking this path since the end of the Ice Age.

If you every get a chance to visit Mississippi, give the city of Jackson a look-see. The “City with Soul,” its museums, galleries, and restaurants will not disappoint!