Union Co. Heritage Museum Receives MS Humanities Council America250 grant

 

 

 

 

New Albany, Mississippi (December 2025) — Mississippi Humanities Council, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has awarded Union County Historical Society and Heritage Museum a $20,000 grant to fund a project that will stimulate meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and increase understanding of the human experience.

This grant supports the Creative Spirits and Discovery Zone Exhibits opening mid-2026. This project recognizes the creativity of people from Union County area who have made significant accomplishments in literature, music, film, visual arts, architecture, fashion design, inventions, as well as other creative accomplishments.

“We are grateful and excited that this project received the Mississippi Humanities Council America 250 grant supporting the exhibits. The grant is a vital investment in our mission to foster creativity and lifelong learning through the Creative Spirits Exhibit and Hands-On Discovery Zone. This grant and other community support helps the museum explore the power of creativity, sparking curiosity and providing a space where families can create and learn,” said Jill Smith, Museum Director.

The Society and Museum are celebrating 35 years in 2025. These projects have been in the planning stages at the museum for a long time. “We are looking forward to celebrating the anniversaries of our country and museum with the completion and opening of these multifaceted permanent exhibit projects celebrating our country and community. We believe that people will be inspired when they see what this ‘little postage stamp of native soil’ has produced. This community has produced a Nobel Prize winner, Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy nominees, songwriters, inventors, beautiful architecture, award winning fashion, visual art and much more. “This story of our community and creativity is continuing. We want our visitors to be inspired to find their own creative sparks, to create and to know that we are all part of a creative community.” Smith said.

“There will be a period of downtime during the fabrication and installation of these exhibits this spring, so please, pardon our progress when this begins. We plan to carry on with our programming as much as possible,” Smith said.

The museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street, New Albany, MS 38652. Follow on Facebook and Instagram for events and information. Call 662-538-0014 or email uchm@ucheritagemuseum for more information.

Mississippi Humanities Council grants are used to support public humanities programs, exhibits, the planning of larger projects and the development of original productions in film, television, radio, or online resources.

All projects are intended to serve Mississippians and are always free and open to the public.

Funding for this grant was provided by the Mississippi Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this announcement do not necessarily represent  those of the Mississippi Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

About the Union County Historical Society & Heritage Museum:

Organized in 1991, the Union County Historical Society and Heritage Museum is a non-profit organization whose mission shall be to enlighten, enrich, and educate the public in the arts, the social, political, cultural, economic, and natural history of Union County, from the earliest times to the present, by collecting, researching, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting artifacts and materials as they relate to this county’s heritage. The website of the museum is www.ucheritagemuseum.com

About Mississippi Humanities 

The Mississippi Humanities Council is an independent nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Established in 1972 on the premise that the humanities are relevant to any enterprise involving serious thought, discussion and decision-making, the Council has worked to foster the public’s understanding of historical, literary and philosophical perspectives on the human experience. The Council is committed to making its programs accessible to as many Mississippians as possible and expects grant recipients to do the same. Learn more at www.mshumanities.org.

Jill N. Smith
Director
Union County Heritage Museum & Faulkner Garden
114 Cleveland St.
New Albany, MS 38652
662-538-0014

“The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.” William Faulkner, “Requieum for a Nun”