Mississippi Department of Archives and History

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History in Jackson holds extensive collections of state documents, photographs, and historical objects in a dedicated research facility. The institution preserves these materials and makes them available to researchers and the public.

The Mississippi Legislature created this agency in 1902 to collect and preserve governmental records and materials about the state's past. The institution became responsible for safeguarding documents that trace the state's development from its early years.

The institution oversees several museums and historic sites throughout the state, where exhibitions show how Mississippi's communities and government changed over time. Visitors can see how different regions and groups have shaped the state's story through the displays at these locations.

The research rooms and collections are open to visitors from Monday through Friday on North Street, where staff can assist with accessing materials. It helps to check in advance what collections you want to research and plan time for your visit accordingly.

The collection includes the Governor Pettus Letters, a series of important documents showing Mississippi's position during the American Civil War. These letters reveal the political thinking and personal views of leaders during that turbulent period.

Location: Jackson

Inception: February 26, 1902

Founders: Mississippi Legislature

Phone: +16015766850

Website: http://mdah.ms.gov

GPS coordinates: 32.30060,-90.17860

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06