Renowned Designer Joins Howlin’ Wolf Team

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) — The designer of some of the nation’s most-popular museums will put his touch on what will become a world-class museum in West Point.

New York-based Applebaum and Associates has been retained to work with Pryor and Morrow Architects to design the transformation of the old McClure Building in downtown West Point into a state-of-the-art Howlin’ Wolf and Blues Museum. The museum will include interactive exhibits and displays that track the blues from its inception to modern day music in the region. The McClure Building also will be an arts and theater center.

“What you are looking at is Ralph Applebaum…they designed the Country Music Hall of Fame, they designed the Nascar Museum, the Holocaust Museum, just to name a few. These are world-class designers and this is bringing something to the Golden Triangle and Northeast Mississippi that is world class,” said Richard Ramsey, the director of the Howlin’ Wolf Museum.

Organizers hope to have final plans to release for bids in May. Construction would take about a year.

Supporters still are seeking grants and donations to cover the costs, which could reach more than $2 million.