CLEVELAND \u2014 To recognize their commitment to promoting educational and cultural quality of life in the Mississippi Delta region, GRAMMY Museum\u00ae Mississippi and the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area (MDNHA) have partnered to develop a new website showcasing the Top 40 places to visit in the Mississippi Delta. Delta residents and visitors can discover 40 of the most celebrated locations in the Mississippi Delta beginning today by visiting GRAMMYMuseumMS.org and clicking on the Explore tab.<\/p>\n
The Top 40 features cultural heritage attractions throughout the Mississippi Delta that tell the region\u2019s diverse stories. The website underscores the Museum and MDNHA\u2019s shared interest in promoting the entire 18-county Mississippi Delta region as an educational cultural heritage destination of which its residents should be proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, we explore and celebrate the enduring legacies of all forms of music, and we\u2019re also telling the story of the cradle of America\u2019s music right here in Cleveland, the heart of the Mississippi Delta,\u201d said Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. \u201cOur area\u2019s rich musical legacy is a source of pride for Delta residents. We want to encourage everyone to explore and learn about our entire region, from local school groups to travelers from around the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Top 40 features panoramic images of some must-see destinations and attractions throughout the Delta. Among the featured attractions are Tunica River Park, the birthplace of internationally renowned actor James Earl Jones; Baptist Town in Greenwood; Vicksburg National Military Park; Cotesworth Mansion in North Carrollton; St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Lexington; and unique local eateries like Blue Front Caf\u00e9 in Bentonia and Farmer\u2019s Grocery in Grace.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Top 40 celebrates the Mississippi Delta\u2019s rich, diverse culture,\u201d said Dr. Rolando Herts, director of The Delta Center for Culture and Learning, which is the management entity for the MDNHA. \u201cGRAMMY Museum Mississippi and the Heritage Area both are committed to promoting the entire Delta. Yes, the Delta is the birthplace of the Blues, and music is a big part of our story, but there is so much more to discover and experience here, such as civil rights, culinary, and nature-based heritage sites. The Top 40 website highlights examples of these diverse cultural heritage attractions across the Delta region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Top 40 attractions were identified in collaboration with the Mississippi Delta Tourism Association and various county boards of supervisors throughout the region. Each of the 18 Delta counties has two attractions represented on the list. Four of the attractions are region-wide, including Bridging the Blues music heritage festival and the Mississippi Freedom Trail for civil rights heritage.<\/p>\n
“We appreciate GRAMMY Museum Mississippi and the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area for coordinating the Top 40 list,” said Webster Franklin, President and CEO of the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau and member of the Mississippi Delta Tourism Association. \u201cThis is a great program that will bring positive attention to the entire region.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are plans to develop the Top 40 even further during a second phase that would make the website even more interactive and participatory.<\/p>\n
About GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
\nBuilt and operated by the Cleveland Music Foundation \u2014 a non-profit organization developed in 2011 \u2014 the 28,000-square-foot GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is housed near the campus of Delta State University, home of the Delta Music Institute’s Entertainment Industry Studies program, which features the most unique audio recording facilities in the South. Similar to its sister Museum \u2014 the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE \u2014 GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of music, and the cultural context from which it emerges, while casting a focused spotlight on the deep musical roots of Mississippi. The Museum features a dynamic combination of public events, educational programming, engaging multimedia presentations, and interactive permanent and traveling exhibits, including a Mississippi-centric area that introduces visitors to the impact of Mississippi’s songwriters, producers and musicians on the traditional and modern music landscape. For more information about GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, visit www.grammymuseumms.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @GRAMMYMuseumMS on Twitter and Instagram, and like “GRAMMY Museum Mississippi” on Facebook.<\/p>\n
About the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and The Delta Center
\nThe Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area is a partnership between the people of the Mississippi Delta and the National Park Service. The MDNHA was designated by U.S. Congress in 2009 and is governed by a board of directors representing agencies and organizations defined in the congressional legislation. More information about the MDNHA, including the complete approved management plan, is available at www.msdeltaheritage.com.<\/p>\n
The Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University is the management entity for the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area. The mission of The Delta Center is to promote greater understanding of Mississippi Delta culture and history and its significance to the world through education, partnerships and community engagement. For more information, visit www.deltacenterdsu.com.<\/p>\n
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MEDIA CONTACT:<\/p>\n
Vickie Jackson
\nGRAMMY Museum Mississippi
\nvjackson@grammymuseumms.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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