The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum is located at the Spires Bolling House on North Randolph Street and Salem Avenue in Holly Springs, Mississippi. During the prosperous years of 1830 to 1860, many historic homes were built in Holly Springs. The Museum and Cultural Center of African and African American History was established to inspire, enlighten and enrich the lives of people everywhere by collecting, preserving and disseminating African and African-American contributions in the fields of history, art and culture in the United States and throughout the world. A wide variety of family heirlooms and artifacts of African-American historic value comprise the collections of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum. Of special importance is the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Room that contains a collection of personal memorabilia, awards and belongings of this courageous American figure. The Local Genealogy Room contains documentation of genealogies of several Holly Springs African-American families.
Born a slave, Jim Wells, Ida’s father, became a skilled craftsman who served as an apprentice carpenter during the construction of the Spires Bolling House. Ida B. Wells was born on the property where her mother was a “famous cook.” The historic value of the home makes it an ideal location for the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum. The Spires Bolling House is an emerging treasure for Holly Springs, adding another attraction for visitors to the city. The Museum not only displays African-American culture and heritage, it also presents a unique opportunity to honor the name of Ida B. Wells-Barnett, whose efforts for justice continue to reap dividends for humanity today. Having undergone an extensive restoration, the Spires Bolling House has been preserved as an important landmark for future generations.
To contact the museum, (662) 22-3232; To schedule a tour, (662) 579-5747.
