NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — The state of Mississippi is paying $8 million for improvements at two historic sites in the southwestern part of the state — the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Historic Jefferson College.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History and local officials announced the projects Tuesday, WLBT-TV reported.
“We envision a visitor’s experience here that is worthy of this site and worth of the interesting and important stories that are told here,” said Archives and History executive director Katie Blount.
The Legislature allocated money to make improvements at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. The 128-acre (52-hectare) park has three prehistoric Native American mounds and a nature trail.
“We anticipate adding one new interpretive center that will contain brand new exhibits concerning the Natchez people and the American Indians of the Southeast," said Lance Harris, Grand Village site director.
Harris said the project includes construction of a multi-use pavilion.
A few miles up the road, buildings will be restored at Historic Jefferson College. It’s the birthplace of Mississippi statehood in 1817. The national historic landmark was also the first institution of higher learning chartered in the Mississippi Territory.
“We have a collection of eight historic buildings and then we’re going to establish an interpretive center and we will look into the history of this region, which is significant as any history in the country," Blount said.
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