The Old Court House Museum

The Old Court House Museum The Old Court House Museum is a Non-Profit Organization run by the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society. Lee, John C. The museums founder, Mrs.
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Construction began in the summer of 1858 on what was then to be a new Court House for Warren County. The building is perched on one of the highest hills in Vicksburg on land given by the family of the city’s founder, Newitt Vick. Contractors were the Weldon Brothers of Rodney, Mississippi, who used 100 highly skilled slave artisans to make the brick and erect the building, which was completed in 1

860 for a cost of $100,000. The building stands as an architectural gem and was named one of the 20 most outstanding courthouses in America by the American Institute of Architects. Four porticos, supported by 30 foot Ionic columns flank the entrances. The courtroom on the second floor features a cast iron judge’s dias and railings, and an intricate iron stairway connects the first and second floors. Original iron doors and shutters remain on the building. On the grounds a local planter, Jefferson Davis, launched his political career. Several years later, during the War Between the States, Confederate Generals Stephen D. Breckinridge, and Earl Van Dorn watched from the cupola as the Confederate ironclad Arkansas battled its way through the federal fleet to safety at Vicksburg. During the War, the building was the target of much union shelling but suffered only one major hit. It was here on July 4, 1863 that the Stars and Bars were lowered and the Stars and Stripes were raised as General U S Grant reviewed his victorious army. After surviving Union shelling, a direct hit by a tornado in 1953, and years of neglect, the building was again in danger. With the construction of a new Warren County Court House in 1939, the building stood practically vacant and there was talk of its demolition. Eva Whitaker Davis, realized the significance of the building and establish the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society for the purpose of preserving the structure. In 1947 she was elected president of the society and with the help of a few volunteers began cleaning the building and collecting artifacts. On June 3, 1948 the museum opened its doors, where she continued to work on a volunteer basis for many years. A grateful public added the name Eva W Davis memorial to that of the building several years before her death in 1974. The building was named a national historic landmark in 1968. The museum is still operated and maintained by the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society.

Today is the day for the Spring Flea Market! Be sure to come downtown and check it out!
04/25/2026

Today is the day for the Spring Flea Market! Be sure to come downtown and check it out!

First discovery from the retaining wall project! An ornate cast iron manhole drainage cover, possibly an overflow system...
09/10/2025

First discovery from the retaining wall project! An ornate cast iron manhole drainage cover, possibly an overflow system for the cisterns. Arborists were out yesterday to take sonar scans of the tree’s root system. We expect to find more evidence of drainage system from their report. Stay tuned for more updates!

Just finished with the Pre-Construction Meeting at the Board of Supervisors’ office on the Old Court House Museum Retain...
08/07/2025

Just finished with the Pre-Construction Meeting at the Board of Supervisors’ office on the Old Court House Museum Retaining Wall! This project has been in the works for nearly 8 years, and we are excited to finally break ground. Stay tuned for more updates!

11/20/2024
It’s beginning to look like Christmas at the Old Court House Museum!
11/15/2024

It’s beginning to look like Christmas at the Old Court House Museum!

The Old Court House Fall Flea Market is almost here! We still have spaces available for arts and crafts vendors, so if y...
09/18/2024

The Old Court House Fall Flea Market is almost here! We still have spaces available for arts and crafts vendors, so if you are interested please contact the Museum to reserve your space (601-636-0741).

Come downtown today and check out the Deep South Military Vehicle Club’s display at the Old Court House Museum. We also ...
06/29/2024

Come downtown today and check out the Deep South Military Vehicle Club’s display at the Old Court House Museum. We also have a Living History display on the lawn, and then come inside and cool off with a tour through the Museum!

The Old Court House Museum Christmas Tree is up and ready for decorations! We'd like to have it decorated with ornaments...
12/06/2023

The Old Court House Museum Christmas Tree is up and ready for decorations! We'd like to have it decorated with ornaments made by the children in our community. They can be dropped off at the Museum, or you can hang them yourself! A decoration crafting station will be set up in the Court Room on December 10th for the Old Fashion Christmas for anyone that wants to add to the tree. If there are any questions, just give Jordan Rushing a call at 601-636-0741.

10/20/2023

Members of the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society are invited to attend the Annual Meeting on the Society on November 14th. The meeting will take place at the Old Court House Museum beginning at 5:30 p.m. If there are any questions, please contact us at 601-636-0741 or [email protected].

10/17/2023

The Old Court House Museum is looking for a Christmas Tree (10 - 15 feet tall) to decorate and display in the Court Room this December. If you or anyone you know may be interested in helping us, please call Jordan Rushing at the Museum at 601-636-0741.

Address

1008 Cherry Street
Vicksburg, MS
39183

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+16016360741

Website

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