Video: Hidden Treasures — Union County Heritage Museum

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NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – It all begins with a story.

“Everybody’s got one,” says director Jill Smith.

The Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany is sharing them.

“Our newest acquisition came from Snead’s Feed and Seed store. The satellite rocket ride from mid-century. So many children, grownups now, rode in this when they were children. The stories of our blues musicians, the Blue Springs fossil area that has produced dinosaur bones, and the murals from Futorian’s high point marketing area. Anywhere you look around in here is a story. We also have a Siberian tiger that is part of a collection of mounts that a big game hunter has donated,” Smith said.

The museum displays Union County’s rich culture in many interactive exhibits, including an outdoor village and a literary garden honoring New Albany’s native son, William Faulkner. New Albany is also known for its railroad history.

“New Albany was burned during the Civil War. As it was slowly rebuilding, William Faulkner’s great grandfather, also named William Faulkner, was trying to get the railroad built. The Kentucky, Memphis and Birmingham, they were coming the east and west line. There was a race to get to New Albany to see which would cross here first. The east west line won. Faulkner had a huge contingent of Parchman inmates working. A lot of them died where they worked. Whoever got there first, would never have to maintain the crossing. The other line would do it forever. I was out there at the crossing five or six years ago, and there was a group working. I asked ‘who’s line is this?’ and they said they were the Burlington Northern, but the other line pays us to maintain it. So forever, means forever,” Smith said.

Smith continues, “I think it lifts our spirit to see how people have sustained and maintained what it takes to have a good town and a good community. If we don’t tell our stories, who will?”

The Union County Heritage Museum is located at 114 Cleveland Street in downtown New Albany. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

An expansion project is in the works that will double the museum’s size. A William Faulkner library is a big part of that plan.

For more information visit http://ucheritagemuseum.com/