Old Capitol Museum

The Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, occupies the restored Greek Revival statehouse that served as the seat of Mississippi state government from 1839 to 1903, making it one of the oldest and most historically significant public buildings in the state. Located at 100 South State Street in downtown Jackson, the building witnessed some of the most consequential moments in Mississippi's political history, including the state's secession from the Union in January 1861 and the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

The building was abandoned when a new capitol opened across the street in 1903 and fell into serious disrepair before being rescued and restored in the 1950s. A comprehensive second restoration completed in 2009 returned the structure to its mid-19th-century appearance with exceptional fidelity. The exterior columns and cast-iron dome are among the finest examples of Greek Revival civic architecture in the Deep South.

The museum inside presents Mississippi's political and social history from statehood in 1817 through the 20th century. The restored House and Senate chambers can be viewed in their original configurations, complete with period desks, galleries, and decorative plasterwork. Permanent exhibitions explore the state's legislative history, the constitutional conventions of 1817, 1832, and 1868, and the complex political dynamics of Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era.

Admission is free, making this one of the best-value cultural sites in downtown Jackson. The building is adjacent to the New State Capitol (completed 1903), which can be toured separately and features a spectacular dome interior. Together the two buildings form a compelling architectural and historical pairing accessible on a single downtown walk.