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Address:
Fifth Street and Univ. Ave
Opening Hours:
Tues. - Sat 9:30 - 4:30
Sun. 1-4, closed university holidays
Contact:
Albert Sperath, Dir.
museums@olemiss.edu
Phone: 662 915 7073
Fax: 662 915 7035
Links:
University of Mississippi Museums and Historic Houses
University of Mississippi
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Description:
University of Mississippi Museums’ History
In 1939 a small museum, the Mary Buie Museum, was opened in Oxford, Mississippi with a collection of fine art, decorative art and historical memorabilia related to the town and the Skipwith family who financed its creation. The City of Oxford operated the museum from 1939 till 1974 with funding provided largely by the family and government programs such as the Works Progress Administration. During this time the museum’s collections expanded to include historic costumes, Civil War relics, and dolls. In 1974 the City of Oxford deeded the museum to the University of Mississippi, which maintained it as a cultural center for the town and the university. With the help of a legislative appropriation and funds from the Adair Skipwith Foundation, a large new wing was added in 1975 and named the Kate Skipwith Teaching Museum.
The University's collections of mid 19th century scientific instruments, classical Greek and Roman artifacts, fine art, folk art and technology were combined with the Buie collections, and today the museum’s holdings number about 20,000 items. The Seymour Lawrence and Porter and Elizabeth Fortune galleries were added in 1998 to the museum building’s exhibition area along with a new storage facility.
In 1995 an adjoining historic home owned by the University, the Walton-Young Historic House, also became part of the museum operation. The house has been restored to its 1880s appearance, complete with period furniture, and guided tours featuring the lifestyles of the Victorian era.
In 2002 William Faulkner’s home, Rowan Oak was added to the museum operation. The Mary Buie Museum, the Kate Skipwith Museum, the Walton-Young Historic House, and Rowan Oak together are known as the University of Mississippi Museums and Historic Houses.
The University of Mississippi Museums were accredited in 1982 by the American Association of Museums with renewal awarded in 1995. We continue to serve both the academic institution and the local community with varied programs and services, and enjoy their financial support and enthusiastic participation.
The mission of the University of Mississippi Museums and Historic Houses is to enrich our cultural and academic life by providing exhibitions and programs that inspire learning, discourse, curiosity, and imagination.
The museum’s purpose is to undertake the collection, preservation, research, exhibition, and interpretation of objects related to the community and university, Mississippi, and the South to serve both the popular and scholarly audience.
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