Literature

“I discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about, and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it.” — Nobel Prize Winner William Faulkner

Faulkner is just one of the many literary giants whose love of literature began with a love of Mississippi. Stroll upon Faulkner’s native soil at his home in Oxford and learn about his family roots in New Albany and Ripley. See the Mississippi that Tennessee Williams called “the beauty spot of creation, a dark, wide spacious land that you can breathe in” by visiting his childhood home in Columbus. Visit Eudora Welty’s home and gardens in Jackson, which appear just as they were when she would step out the door for one of her countless trips to the neighborhood grocery store, which also remains. Explore the Smith-Robertson Museum in Jackson, where Richard Wright walked the halls as a schoolboy. These writers have given birth to a new generation of Mississippi literary heritage – from the master of legal thrillers, John Grisham, to the 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner Donna Tartt and Natasha Trethewey, Poet Laureate of the United States in 2012. If you love literature, Mississippi’s literary heritage and the native soil invite you to explore the inspiration behind some of the world’s greatest writing. Follow the Southern Literary Trail through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to visit the places that influenced well-known 20th century writers.

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Inspiration

Discover America’s Music Roots in Mississippi
DAY 1 • MEMPHIS – TUPELO Once you cross the state line into the Birthplace of America’s Music, make your way to Tupelo where you can explore the hometown of the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Start the day at the all-encompassing Elvis Presley Center, which includes the humble, two-room house where Elvis […]

Must-See Museums in Mississippi
With the dreary winter months upon us, what better time to take a day (or two) and explore Mississippi’s enlightening state-of-the-art museums. Mississippi is home to a number of museums, and visitors often have a hard time choosing which to see first. The latest museums to open in the state are the Mississippi Civil Rights […]

Mississippi’s Literary Lawn Party
Lovers of Literature from far and wide will gather for “Mississippi’s Literary Lawn Party” August 15, 2020, for the sixth annual Mississippi Book Festival, a free expo celebrating the state’s renowned literary scene. Last year’s festival saw more than 7,500 bookworms descend upon the Mississippi State Capitol grounds. Festival planners look to exceed that number […]

Lights, Camera, Mississippi
The storytelling tradition goes back generations in Mississippi and has produced some of America’s most important writers, musicians and filmmakers. But Mississippi is also home to famous filming locations for Hollywood blockbuster movies and even reality TV shows. While you’re visiting one of our 14 film festivals (partial schedule below), don’t miss out on the […]

Mississippi Writers Trail Unveils Marker Honoring William Faulkner
Jackson, Mississippi — October 10, 2019 — The Mississippi Writers Trail celebrated the world-renowned literary contributions of author William Faulkner on Thursday with the dedication of a marker in Oxford. The marker is located in front of Rowan Oak, the author’s longtime home, at 916 Old Taylor Rd. “William Faulkner is arguably one of the […]

Explore Mississippi’s Living Museums – The Cultural Trails
As the birthplace of some of the most influential and talented musicians, writers, activists and entertainers in the world, Mississippi offers visitors an incredibly unique opportunity to not only visit significant locations, but to further explore and dive into their story through the state’s four cultural trails. Mississippi Blues Trail – The first of the […]

Literary Lover’s Guide to Jackson
Creative culture is never in short supply in Mississippi. As the birthplace of renowned native fiction authors, including John Grisham, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Willie Morris and Richard Wright and playwrights Tennessee Williams and Beth Henley, Mississippi is America’s literary soul. There’s no better way to kick off the oncoming fall festival season than the […]

Experience The Blues Where They Were Born
The Mississippi Blues Trail is your unforgettable journey into the land that produced arguably the single most important inspiration of modern popular music. Whether a die-hard blues fan or a casual traveler in search of an authentic experience, follow the trail and you’ll visit places you’ve never been and learn facts that you didn’t know […]

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Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center

Columbus, MS

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Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum

Clarksdale, MS

Between 1917 and 1932, young Tom “Tennessee” Williams lived with, and then regularly visited his grandparents in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where his grandfather Walter E. Dakin was rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church. The museum is housed in the four upstairs bedrooms in the former rectory of St. George’s Episcopal church, once occupied by Williams and […]

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Mississippi Freedom Trail – Biloxi Beach

Biloxi, MS

The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Freedom Trail marker is located at the foot of the Biloxi Lighthouse and marks the 1960 Biloxi Wade In. Dr. Gilbert R Mason lead more than 100 South Mississippians in a peaceful wade-in on segregated Biloxi Beach. It was 1972 before the beach became open to all. […]

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DeSoto Arts Council

Hernando, MS

The DeSoto Arts Council (DAC) serves as an arts agency for DeSoto County and the surrounding region. DAC offers a wide range of imaginative activities and diverse programming for local artisans’ work. Visit the gift shop for unique works of art. The building is available for rental for small weddings, showers and parties. […]

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