Meridian Children’s Museum Showcases Local History and Culture

A significant event is taking place in Meridian, Mississippi, as alumni from Meridian High School gather to celebrate their 50th graduation anniversary. For families attending, a must-visit destination is the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, which offers an engaging exploration of local history and culture. Located on 22nd Avenue, this nonprofit attraction, which opened just a few years ago, operates under the motto, “We take fun seriously!”

The museum provides numerous interactive exhibits, including building blocks, climbing mazes, and garden paths, all designed to create an enjoyable learning environment. Executive Director Barbara Zeller and her team take pride in the way the museum blends rich educational content with play, ensuring a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Access is primarily granted to adults accompanying children, maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.

Highlighting Meridian’s Rich Heritage

As visitors approach the museum, they are greeted by a striking steel sculpture created by local artist Cecelia Moseley. This artwork, comprised of jumbled letters, addresses the learning challenges faced by those with dyslexia, a condition that Moseley herself has dealt with since childhood. Inside the museum, guests cannot miss the exhibits featuring “Susie the Steam Engine” and “Jimmie the Boxcar,” which celebrate Meridian’s historical role as a railway hub.

These displays pay homage to Susie Glover, an African-American porter known for her melodic announcements of train destinations, and to the legendary musician Jimmie Rodgers, who worked on the railroads before finding fame. Accompanying these exhibits are panels that provoke questions such as, “Why did Susie sing?” and “Who was Elsie?” referencing Jimmie Rodgers’ sister-in-law, Elsie McWilliams.

A scholarly article displayed alongside the exhibits notes the significance of Rodgers’ music, stating, “In the songs and music of Jimmie Rodgers, one hears the joys and tragedies of the common people.”

Innovative Exhibits and Community Engagement

Another exhibit, titled “Innovation is the Key,” recounts the achievements of the Key Brothers, who set a flight endurance record in Meridian. This display includes video footage from their record-setting flight, alongside artifacts such as Fred Key’s flight helmet.

In addition, the museum features “Our Lady’s Playhouse,” a decorative pretend theater that pays tribute to the Grand Opera House, which opened in the late 1800s and remains an iconic venue today. Nearby, a mock café celebrates the Red Hot truck stop, a local landmark from the latter half of the 20th century, complete with a display of fossilized shark teeth discovered in the area, offering a glimpse into the region’s prehistoric past.

The museum further enriches the experience with a water play table that illustrates Dunn’s Falls, a former grist mill site, and a gallery dedicated to local inventors and entrepreneurs, including Dr. Leslie Vaughn Rush Sr. and E.F. Young Jr., who made significant contributions to their fields.

According to Zeller, the museum attracts an average of 60,000 visitors annually, bolstering tourism and educational initiatives in the region. Support from the community, through donations, memberships, and volunteer efforts, has been crucial to the museum’s success.

The Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and it stands as a testament to the rich history and vibrant culture of Meridian, making it an essential visit for families and young learners alike.