Highlighting Mississippi’s history
Published 1:00 am Sunday, September 25, 2011
The unveiling Wednesday of the Blues Trail marker in honor of the Blue Room is one more example of Mississippi’s embracing its rich history.
The Blue Room, a nightclub on Clay between Mulberry and Washington streets, played host to such musical legends as Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, B.B. King and Ray Charles. It was operated by the flamboyant Tom Wince from 1937 to 1972.
Its recognition in the ever-evolving Mississippi Blues Trail is the fifth in the River City. Markers honoring Highway 61 South, Marcus Bottom, the Red Tops and Willie Dixon already are reminders of the city’s connection to music. Mississippi has laid claim to being the birthplace of American music, and these markers are reminders of the past and certain tourist draws.
In the same vein, another bit of information — this one disseminated across the state — also should enhance tourism.
The Mississippi Bond Commission on Monday approved bonds for the nation’s first state-sponsored civil rights museum. Two museums — the Mississippi History Museum and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum — are hoped to be open by 2017, the state’s bicentennial.
“Given Mississippi’s place in civil rights history in the (USA), I think this place will become a mecca for scholars or tourists who are interested in understanding our history,” said State Sen. John Hohrn of Jackson.
He is right. Mississippi has a wide history, albeit not always viewed in the most positive light. What these museums and markers do is give people more reason to visit and learn the good, and the bad.
To borrow a line from the Hollywood movie “Field of Dreams,” “People will come.” And that is what is needed — people to come and learn. Hopefully, they’ll leave with better understanding of Mississippi’s role in American history.