Located at 1267 Main Street

Design and Construction

The land purchase and the building were made possible in part by a donation from the late Jim Burns, who was a life long resident of the town. Mr. Burns also served as an Alderman for many years. Mississippi Economic Authority grants and other personal donations made up the additional funds needed.

Justin Taylor, Professor of Architecture at Mississippi State and a native of Tishomingo designed the building and constructed the history panels and the Chief Tishomingo sculpture. Master Craft Builders of Booneville with Lanier Thompson as the project manager constructed the building. Dean McRae Engineers were project engineers. State of Mississippi Horticulturist, Dr. Jeff Wilson, helped with recommendation for the plantings used around the center. Since the community center will now be used as a voting location for the town, the Fourth District helped provide furniture for the building.

The site in the center of town along Highway 25 was once the location of a cotton gin central to community. Later the parking area was used as a gathering place for the locals.The building was located near the street to incorporate it into the town’s everyday environment to reflect the “gin yard” as a meeting point for friends. The corrugated exterior also reflects the original materials used in the cotton gin building. Tishomingo Stone quarried east of Tishomingo and unique in the state of Mississippi is used on thefront of the building and on exterior planters. The stainless steel for the profile of Chief Tishomingo was donated by the Tishomingo High School Class of 1976 in memory of James "Jim" Burns.

Displaying Tishomingo's History

Featured along the inside of the North wall are museum panels that detail significant events in the history of Tishomingo with pictures and text. The durable, permanent panels begin with details of the life of Chief Tishomingo for whom the town and county were named. Details from Andrew Jackson’s stay in the area to the construction of the CCC camp to the digging of the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway are presented in chronological order down the 40-foot wall. Since the town has no war memorial, the names of Tishomingo County war dead are included on the timeline with those from the town identified and featured in some of the photographs. Mayors of Tishomingo and their terms are also marked along the timeline.

Using the Center

The East meeting room is 378 Square Feet and will seat approximately 35 at round tables and 45 at rectangular tables. It will seat approximately 65 using chairs with no tables. The West meeting room is 986 Square Feet and will seat approximately 85 at round tables and 110 at rectangular tables. It will seat approximately 165 in chairs only. The building features a kitchen specifically designed to serve the needs of catered events. Rentals are available through Tishomingo City Hall.

Usage Form and Regulations