The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library has three main components: a research library, a theater, and an exhibit gallery.
The research library maintains records of the Beauvoir soldiers’ home and those who lived there, the cemetery records, the Beauvoir archives, and general secondary sources studying Jefferson Davis and the War Between the States. Of particular interest, the archives house original Davis family documents as well as a large portion of the Dorsey, Davis, and soldiers’ home collections.
The theater features the award-winning film “Jefferson Davis, American Son.” This film includes a journey back in time to meet Jefferson Davis’ friend and esteemed colleague George W. Jones, a United States Senator from Iowa. In the film, Jones describes his old friend as one of admirable character and concludes that through his efforts, Davis came to represent the pride and dignity of the Southern War of Independence.
The exhibit galleries include the Jefferson Davis Gallery, the Confederate Soldier’s Gallery, as well as several exhibits that rotate throughout the year. The exhibits in the Jefferson Davis gallery include Davis family documents, photographs, clothing, and other personal items. Of special interest is the cloak worn when Davis was captured by Union troops near Irwinville, Georgia. It disproves the widespread falsehood that he was dressed in women’s clothing to avoid capture. The Confederate Soldier’s gallery exhibits are rotated on a regular schedule, and feature items ranging from rare Confederate uniforms to rifled muskets to soldier’s letters, etc.
Today, the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library continues to uphold Mrs. Davis’ original intention that Beauvoir is a shrine to the memory of her husband, Jefferson Davis. It represents Beauvoir’s commitment t0 educating the public about the life and times of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and the Confederate soldier.
