Port Gibson has a rich history woven into its magnificent 19th-century streetscapes. See stunning estates, original shop fronts and historic battlefields amid the city’s tree-lined streets. Find significant sites from the Civil War and fascinating architecture, as well as a thriving community dedicated to antebellum heritage and antiques.
Stroll around Port Gibson’s quaint central streets to appreciate the city’s original architecture. Reportedly deemed “too beautiful to burn” by U.S. Major General Ulysses S. Grant, Port Gibson features an excellent collection of heritage buildings. Check out the stunning Claiborne County Courthouse and the restored Port Gibson City Hall for fine examples of historic architecture. Greek-revival architecture is prominent in this area of Mississippi.
To learn about the city’s involvement in the Civil War, head to the Grand Gulf Military Park. This park is a battle site, museum and original fortification. It is the site where Grant attempted to land his troops for the Vicksburg Campaign. Discover a collection of photographs, documents and artifacts at No Easy Journey, a Civil Rights Movement exhibit. Visit the Port Gibson Battlefield, the A.K. Schaifer House and the Windsor Ruins for more wartime history. The Windsor Ruins are the remains of a once-stately plantation house that was destroyed in a fire. See more fascinating plantation houses that date back to pre-Civil War times in nearby Jefferson County.
Discover Port Gibson’s fascinating antiques and traditional crafts at the Cultural Crossroads and the Port Gibson Antiques Market. During the last weekend in March, join the celebrations at the Annual Heritage Festival.
Port Gibson is located in Claiborne County,which experiences a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters. The city is a great stop on a historic tour of Mississippi. Reach Port Gibson by car or by plane to Vicksburg or Valley of the Moon airports. Jackson is a 70-minute drive away. Explore nearby towns for more encounters with Mississippi’s fascinating heritage. Find more Civil War history in Vicksburg and stately antebellum mansions in Natchez.
