Mississippi flags have been part of significant moments of state's history

A new exhibit at the Two Mississippi Museums offers an up-close look at some of the flags that have flown over the state.

"Flags From Mississippi: Emblems Through Time" weaves the story of Mississippi through the colorful fabric of the state's people, culture and government.

"The Two Mississippi Museums are excited to share this free, special flag exhibition curated by MDAH staff," director Michael Morris said in a news release. "We invite the public to explore and examine how flags illustrate the various ways inhabitants of Mississippi have chosen to symbolize threads of culture and belief throughout time."

Admission to the exhibit is free. Visitors may see the flags in the FedEx Exhibition Hall on the Museum of Mississippi History's second floor.

"Flags from Mississippi" features 20 flags made of different fabrics, with some even made by hand.

The largest flag in the exhibit is a focal point for visitors. It is the flag that flew over the state Capitol during Hurricane Katrina, which caused massive damage throughout the state on Aug. 29, 2005.

Another, an original magnolia flag, was adopted in 1861 as Mississippi's first official flag. It had suffered a lot of wear and tear before it was rescued by conservators.

One flag went where few men have gone before — on the space shuttle Columbia. The flag was brought by Richard Truly, a Fayette native, a shuttle pilot.

"We're very excited to showcase these historic flags because this is an important part of our history," said Ivette Ray, director of curatorial services at the museum.

One flag that stands out is a reproduction of the 5th Heavy Artillery Regimental flag of the U.S. Colored Troops, which was an African American regiment in Vicksburg that fought in the Battle of Milliken's Bend.

"This flag represents the tens of thousands of Black Mississippians who immediately having the opportunity of freedom continued the fight that they had been long fighting against oppression, against their enslavement," said Drew Gardner, manager of family and community learning at the Two Mississippi Museums.

Many of those who fought in the regiment would not live long after the war, falling victim to disease and other causes that were not war-related, he said.

Gardner said the entire exhibit explores the many facets of Mississippi history. He and his team provide educational opportunities for students and all visitors to the museum for this and other exhibits.

"We have 20 flags in this space that tell an incredibly diverse, difficult, challenging history of Mississippi," Gardner said. "But also, we want to give students and community members opportunities to engage with us in conversation and programs with experts beyond just our immediate space."

If you go

The Flags from Mississippi exhibit is open through Nov. 8 at the Museum of Mississippi History, 222 North St. Jackson.

Admission is free.

Gallery talks will be held at 11 a.m. March 14, June 14 and Aug. 22 and a History is Lunch program will be at noon Aug. 21.

For more information, visit 2mm.mdah.ms.gov.

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This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Two Mississippi Museums opens exhibit on historic flags