Jump to content

Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum

Coordinates: 30°23′35.2″N 88°58′12.2″W / 30.393111°N 88.970056°W / 30.393111; -88.970056
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jefferson Davis
Presidential Library and Museum
West façade of the Library and Museum
Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum is located in Mississippi
Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum
Location in Mississippi
General information
LocationBiloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Coordinates30°23′35.2″N 88°58′12.2″W / 30.393111°N 88.970056°W / 30.393111; -88.970056
Named forJefferson Davis
InauguratedDedicated on May 30, 1998
Rededicated on June 3, 2013
Cost$11.5 million
ManagementMississippi Division, S.C.V.
Technical details
Size24,000 square feet (2,200 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Larry Albert
Other information
Public transit accessBus interchange CTA
Website
visitbeauvoir.org

The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum is the library of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. Designed by Larry Albert of Albert & Associates Architects, the library is located within the Beauvoir historical site in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States.[1][2]

Facilities

[edit]
The library's Rotating Exhibit Gallery

The library has the stated purpose of preserving, housing, and making available the official papers, records, artifacts, and other historical materials of Jefferson Davis. Despite the name, it is not administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, as Jefferson Davis was never president of the United States. It is, however, supported by the State of Mississippi, as is described on a plaque at the library entrance. The library is managed by the Mississippi Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and features continually changing temporary exhibits and a permanent exhibit covering Davis's life.[1]

On August 29, 2005, the library suffered heavy damage from the fierce wind and water of Hurricane Katrina. The library pavilion, the Hayes Cottage, the Soldiers Home barracks replica, the Confederate Soldiers Museum, the gift shop, and the director's home were totally destroyed. Artifacts were photographed, inventoried, boxed, and placed in environmental storage while conservation of the items and Beauvoir Historic Site were underway. On January 9, 2007, the library accepted a $4.1 million bid to rebuild the library and museum. Because of hurricane damage, renovation of the original library was deemed impossible; a rebuilt library was rededicated and opened to the public on June 3, 2013.[2] The Federal Emergency Management Agency paid $4 million to repair Beauvoir and an additional $10 million to construct the new library.[3] A statue of Davis by sculptor William Beckwith is on display outside the museum.

William Beckwith's sculpture of Jefferson Davis at the museum

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Beauvoir–The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library". Mississippi Division, S.C.V. Archived from the original on January 24, 1998. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Beauvoir to revisit history with new presidential library". City of Biloxi. May 24, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  3. ^ Fehrman, Craig (June 2, 2013). "Jefferson Davis' 'presidential' library". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum.
Official
General information
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jefferson_Davis_Presidential_Library_and_Museum&oldid=1203953663"