Celebration of Mississippi statehood’s bicentennial anniversary to begin during Pioneer Days, October 13-15

New Albany, MS–  Mississippi Statehood Bicentennial Celebration

On December 10, 1817, Mississippi was officially recognized as the 20th state in the United States of America. In 2017 the state will have the unique opportunity to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mississippi’s statehood with a reflection on Mississippi’s history and culture.

Celebrating the upcoming Bicentennial of the State of Mississippi, the Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany will host a lecture and luncheon and exhibit of the first 20 star, Mississippi/US flag with the 20th  star denoting  the state joining the Union, as well as the State of Mississippi Constitution and other artifacts relating to statehood on Thursday, October 13, 12 noon.

Representatives from the Department of Archives and History will present a program at the luncheon and will be at the museum with the exhibit through Friday to educate the public on the upcoming big birthday for the state.

Heritage Pioneer Days, Living History

Living history and the life of the pioneers are part of this event. The exhibit and luncheon corresponds with Heritage Pioneer Days for the museum, a three day Living History event where the young and old with hands–on activities and related experiences  of the pioneers of the state.

Students will be visiting the museum Oct 13 – 14 and Families are invited to the free event on October 15 from 9:30 – 2:30,  which features  many living history opportunities for the young and old.  Contests begin at 10AM, and will include contests in corn shelling, sack races, watermelon seed spitting, stick horse rodeo, and more.  Make folk toys, make a basket,  churn butter, learn about the Chickasaw Culture, blacksmithing, woodworking,  pitch washers, corn cob dart game, play marbles,  make a colonial doll and a corn shuck doll.

There will be a knife and tomahawk throw competition on Saturday, with trophies awarded, adult and youth. Lots of sassafras tea and boiled peanuts.  Come and be a Mississippi Pioneer for a day.

For more information call the museum at 662-538-0014. The museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street New Albany 38652.