The city of Tupelo, MS is a city all about heritage, culture and the past. This city is named in honor of a decisive Civil War incident, and is famously known throughout the world as the true Elvis Presley birthplace. What is this town if not a living museum? On that subject, just what kind of museums can you find here?
For starters, there’s the nationally famous Tupelo Automobile Museum. This is one of the largest auto museums in the continent, offering 120,000 square feet of display space. This museum, opened in the year 2002, has 150 rare automobiles in its exhibitions. In case you’re wondering, yes, all of these cars at one time belonged to one man-Frank K. Spain. The Tupelo Auto Museum has a total inventory of over six million, with such diverse automobiles as an 1886 Benz, and a 1994 Dodge Viper.
Other Tupelo museums in the area include the Gumtree Museum of Art, in the downtown district, which has revolving exhibits. This location in listed by the National Register of Historic Places. The Oren Dunn Museum offers a variety of historical exhibits including information on pre-historic development as well as the earliest settlers. There is also an exhibit on the Tupelo Tornado of 1936 and a scaled model railroad of the 1940’s era town of Tupelo.
The Cultural Alliance of Tupelo/Lee County presides over many smaller exhibitions and mini-museums, including the Elvis Presley Birthplace and the Oren Dunn Museum. While the Civil War Battlefields and Tupelo Buffalo Park are not museums, they are included on many museum tours. These are national landmarks that were involved in the Civil War area.
In the year 1864, Gen. William Sherman kept Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry away from the federal supply line. The Tupelo National Battlefield was so influential at the time, it eventually resulted in the renaming of the city. The Tupelo Flea Market is not a museum, but it definitely has much to say about modern art. Here is where you can find many unique pieces and crafts as designed by local artisans.
If you are looking for a wholesome family activity, away from the bars and nightclubs, and beyond Elvis’ birthplace, then visit a Tupelo museum. There are tour guides available as well as museum tours ready to guide you. There is always plenty to learn, to see and to experience in this famous city!
