Tishomingo County Historical & Geneological Society
The old Tishomingo County Courthouse exhibits the daily life of the historic courthouse in the"golden days."
The courtroom and the Sheriff's office depict the building's historical usage. Temporary exhibits, including artifacts and historical memorabilia, are displayed throughout the two-story museum. The courtroom was the scene of the famous Annual Gospel Singing Convention from 1917 until 1971. Throughout the years, the courthouse was the site of much political and community activity, including speeches by James K. Vardaman and Theodore G. Bilbo. Therefore, students find the historical documentation housed in the museum useful in political and economic studies. Students and tourists visit the museum to view the courtroom and other rooms which were utilized as government offices in the past.
Utilizing the historical artifacts and memorabilia in the historic courthouse museum, a local high school teacher at the Tishomingo County High School offers a class on Tishomingo County history. High school students re-enact trials of the 1920s in the original courtroom in the spring and fall. Students are recruited to serve as docents; handouts and teacher information packets are prepared for visiting student classes. Teaching and learning about northeast Mississippi's heritage instills a love of community and fosters participation within the community by students, parents, and teachers.
During one historical period, the courthouse was called the "Marriage Capital of the South." Surrounding states had a three-day waiting period for a marriage license. Since Mississippi had no such law, citizens of Tennessee and Alabama drove to Iuka to be married. Historic accounts say that preachers and Justices of the Peace raced to incoming cars to determine who would marry the couple. These older married couples are now returning to share their oral histories; the first annual marriage ceremony was held in 2005.
The historical society's significance in preserving history is bolstered by several special collections, including:
- Battle of Iuka. This battle was one of the toughest fought during the Civil War. Many local homes, schools, and churches served as hospitals. A large collection of historical information on the Battle of Iuka has been amassed, and the historical society continues to work closely with the Iuka Battlefield Commission.
- John Marshall Stone Collection. John M. Stone served longer as Governor of Mississippi than anyone else, from 1876 to 1882, and from 1890 to 1896. He was later named President of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College at Starkville, which was established during his first administration. His home, Twin Magnolias, was a hospital during the Battle of Iuka; it still stands directly across the street from the historic courthouse. Many items from Gov. Stone's estate are displayed in the museum, including his desk and cane. His personal papers are currently in the process of being donated to Tishomingo County.
- Senator Cecil L. Sumners. Sen. Sumners graciously donated his collection of research, books, and memorabilia to the museum. He practiced law, was Chancery Clerk from 1952-1960 in Tishomingo County, and was elected as a Mississippi State Senator in the 4th Senatorial District.
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