A True Hidden Gem, The Agricultural And Forestry Museum Is Perfect For Mississippi Nature Lovers

Are you a nature lover seeking the perfect place for your next outing? If so, we suggest visiting the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum or, simply, the Ag Museum, as it’s more commonly called. We know what you’re thinking, "a museum?!" However, with acres of outdoor exhibits, gardens, nature trails, and additional museums on site, it’s not your typical museum.

There’s no better place to get your fill of education and outdoor recreation than the Ag Museum in Jackson.

Possibly one of the state’s best-kept secrets, most residents don’t know about the museum. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth knowing about… because it is!

Groundwork for the museum began back in 1969.

Today, it’s a multi-million dollar facility with 22 exhibits.

The nearly two dozen exhibits, which are spread out over 39 acres, are comprised of several permanent displays, including the Heritage Center.

Housing 500 years of the state’s agricultural history, the Heritage Center is a great place to start a visit to the museum.

Small Town, Mississippi is one of the museum’s most popular – and most impressive – exhibits.

A replica of a town from the 1920s, it is filled with old-fashioned buildings typical to towns from decades ago. Incredibly realistic, the buildings are filled with period furniture. There’s even a general store, which is stocked with merchandise and open for business.

Dotted with a couple of display gardens, the museum's campus is an exhibit itself.

In addition to a beautiful rose garden with more than 60 types of roses, there’s an herb garden with 40 different species of herbs, perennials, trees, and shrubs.

Aside from the display gardens, there are agricultural gardens for visitors to explore.

The Specialty Crops Garden provides insight into impact of the state’s specialty crops on everyday life. And then, there’s the Victory Garden, which boasts an array of seasonal crops.

Farm animals are synonymous with agriculture, so it should come as no surprise that the museum’s got a few.

The resident animals are housed in the Children’s Barnyard, which also includes a veterinary exhibit.

Don’t forget, the museum’s full name is the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum, which means there are exhibits on state forests, too.

Visitors can enjoy a woodsy hike, thanks to the museum’s nature trail. Leading straight into the surrounding forest, the purpose of the trek is to educate visitors on the environment’s role in farming.

The Ag Museum is also home to two other museums: The National Agricultural Aviation Museum and 4H Museum Learning Center.

(Don’t worry; admission covers entry to all three!)

A carousel, exhibit barn, and farmstead from the 1800s are also among the museum’s features.

In addition to the permanent exhibits and features, the Ag Museum hosts an array of fun events throughout the year.

Seasonal festivals, story time, and food-related celebrations are just a few of the events put on by the museum in the past.

Have any questions? Call the Ag Museum at (601) 432-4500. You can also check out the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum website. And make sure to like the Ag Museum Facebook page to stay up to date on museum happenings and events.

So, did you know about this Jackson gem? Ever been? If so, what'd you think? Know of another secret state spot? Tell us!

If you have some time while in Jackson, pay a visit to Cultivation Food Hall. The first eatery of its kind in the state, it’s modeled after European food halls. And like its overseas counterparts, it houses an array of restaurants.