The University of Mississippi Museum 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 by the family and government programs such as the WPA. 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; Millington and Barnard Collection of mid 19th century scientifc instruments, the David M. Robinson Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Southern Folk Art including Theora Hamblett, fine art, and technology were combined with other Buie collections. Today the museum's holdings number about 11, 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 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 that feature the lifestyles of the Victorian era. The Buie Museum, the Skipwith Museum, and the Walton-Young Historic House together are known as the University Museums.

Illustrated below is the Mary Buie Museum, built next door to
Kate Skipwith's House in 1939.

Federal funds have just been allocated to begin researching a new William Faulkner wing to be added to the University Museums. A biographical timeline exhibition will be developed to enhance the experience of visiting Rowan Oak, the home of the Nobel Prize-winning author, which lies just south of the museum complex and is also owned by the University.

 

The University of Mississippi Museums were accredited in 1982 by the American Association of Museums, and the accreditation was renewed 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 museum's purpose and mission are to undertake the collection, preservation, research, exhibition, and interpretation of objects related to the community and university, and to serve both the popular and scholarly audience.

 

Miss Kate Skipwith frequently entertained visitors in her handsome Victorian home, which was filled with antiques and memorabilia. Among her treasures were Revolutionary War letters from George Washington, John Hancock, and John Adams. Once an Oxford, Mississippi landmark, the grand home stood on the present site of The University Museums.

 

Drawing by Deborah Freeland

Last Updated: November 2, 2006 10:05 AM