History & Culture

It would be difficult to imagine America without the rolling hills of Mississippi and the contributions its most famous residents have made to our country. This region is defined by powerful Southern literature and vibrant music that has touched and inspired millions.

Explore this rich legacy: from the birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo to the boyhood home of Pulitzer-winning playwright Tennessee Williams in Columbus; from numerous Mississippi Blues Trail markers dedicated to Howlin’ Wolf and other blues legends, to William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak—the beloved refuge of this Nobel Prize-winning novelist where his hand-scrawled notes for A Fable still adorn the walls—which remains standing in Oxford.

Monumental battles of the Civil War and brutal moments of the civil rights struggle are both etched in the Hills. Reflect on the significant roles the Hills played in the War Between the States at preserved battle sites, museums and interpretive centers. Retrace the footsteps of civil rights giants Ida B. Wells-Barnett and James Meredith at Rust College in Holly Springs and on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford

Indulge in the magnificent historic homes and architecture in Columbus, Holly Springs and Aberdeen. Immerse yourself in the outdoor wonders of the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway and Tanglefoot Trail.

And before recorded history, the region’s rich Native American history began and is today glimpsed in numerous sacred burial mounds and other sites throughout the area.

Come, explore the Mississippi Hills.