Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum, Jackson, MS

An inherent part of Mississippi's heritage is tied to agriculture and forestry so it has been combined into one museum in Jackson, Mississippi. It is located at 1150 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 which is at a busy intersection of the city. There is ample parking and the entrance to the museum is gained by crossing a rustic bridge. Visitors to the museum will have a guided tour that explains how agriculture and forestry forged the history of the State.

The agricultural museum includes exhibits such as the Heritage Exhibition Center, the National Agricultural Aviation Museum, Small Town Mississippi, the Fitzgerald Collection, the Ethnic Heritage Center, the Fortenberry-Parkman Farmstead and then the Forestry Auditorium. This is where you can enjoy the hospitality and the charm of living in rural Mississippi.

Visitors get to experience good ole southern cooking and entertainment before taking their leave. The museum hosts many different festivals and events throughout the year. Food is available at the General Store as well as one of a kind gifts.

Admission to the museum is five dollars for adults, four dollars for seniors, three dollars for children 5 to 18 and one dollar for children 3 to 4. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. To get to the museum form I-55 take Exit 98B.

Some parts of the building can be rented out for events. The Ethnic Heritage Center seats three hundred, can seat up to one hundred people in a classroom atmosphere or have room for two hundred people for a banquet. The Forestry Auditorium can seat five hundred people, be used as a classroom for two hundred people and seat four hundred for a banquet. Groups or individuals interested in renting one of the facilities should contact the museum directly or online.

Birthday parties are a big event at the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum. Children ages two through six can choose from different party themes. The party can be held Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Reservations are required to hold a birthday party at the museum.

There are four party packages to choose from: they consist of Pony Rides for an hour that begins at 10:15 or 1:15. A train ride can be added to this package for a small fee. The second option is a Carousel Ride for an hour to which a train ride can also be added. The times of this package are same as for the Pony Ride package. This package includes the use of the picnic tables around the carousel.

The third party option is Pony and Carousel Rides for an hour. The Pony rides would begin at 10:15 or 1:15 and end at 10:45 or 1:45 at which time the carousel rides would begin. The fourth package is great for train lovers. This package includes a visit to the model train exhibit as well as a train ride. The train ride begins the party and there are tables under the porch of the Education Building or picnic tables in the grassy area next to the building for the parties use.