Old Courthouse Museum - Vicksburg, Mississippi

One of the most fascinating local museums in the South can be found in the Old Courthouse in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

This historic structure dates from before the Civil War and was a major landmark during the siege and Battle of Vicksburg. Its clock tower can be seen in numerous photographs and drawings of the city dating from the time of the battle and it was here that U.S. troops under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant raised the United States flag on July 4, 1863, marking the end of the brutal siege.

Beautifully preserved and restored, the magnificent structure now houses a wide variety of displays and artifacts pertaining to the history of Vicksburg, the battle and the Mississippi River. Weapons, uniforms, original flags and other artifacts help visitors learn more about the battle, but the Old Courthouse also preserves its upstairs courtroom where many landmark cases were argued. Other displays tell about the great steamboats that once plied the Mississippi River. The decorative antlers from the famed paddlewheel boat Robert E. Lee can be seen.

To learn more about the Old Courthouse and other points of interest in and around Vicksburg, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg4.