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Author
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Topic: Mississippi John Hurt Museum
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Kingdad
Member
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posted 08-24-2004 09:32 PM
  
Hey ya'll, I'm back and as promised here is my report on the museum, and getting there. I recalled reading somewhere that the museum was located on Highway 7 near Avalon, so that's where I headed. I approached Greenwood, Miss. from the east, and was simply thrilled to see signs stating that Highway 7 north from US 82 was closed, not to worry, I'd just follow the detour signs and wind up at my destination a little later. Since I was Greenwood I decided to check out the blues museum there, but when I got there I found that it didn't open until 10:00 am, having a more important destination in mind I just moved on. The Greenwood museum is in a storefront in the town's small Downtown area, from a glance I could see some old guitars, a Robert Johnson poster, and various nick nacks. It may or may not be worth a visit, but if you're in the area why not. So I embarked on the detour and eventually came back around to Hwy 7 at Holcomb. I stopped at a gas station and inquired about the whereabouts of the museum, at which point the young woman behind the counter flashed me her best deer-in-the-headlights-what-in-the-world-are-you-talking-about look. I thanked her for her help and just proceeded south toward Avalon. There is a sign commemorating MJH at Avalon, but alas, no house/museum. I rode a little south of town, then back through northbound, deciding to cover the stretch of highway between Avalon and Grenada. Still no museum. So, I stopped at a hotel in Grenada and again inquired about the museum. The woman behind the counter said yes she had heard of it and in fact there had been a write-up about it in the paper not two weeks ago. She said it was located back down in Carroll County, about 20 miles or so from where I was now standing. As luck would have it she actually lived in Carroll County, so she called the sheriff's office and found someone who knew the location of the museum, and graciously wrote me directions. She said it shouldn't be too difficult to find as all of the local roads were now numbered, making navigation much more efficient than in the recent past, I agreed that this was a step in the right direction. Following her directions I eventually found the museum in the community of Teoc. The last three miles or so to the museum are down a narrow gravel road which at one point narrows to single vehicle width. The road is not all that bad if you are in a car or truck, and wouldn't be an undue hardship on a dual-sport, but if you are on a fat-ass Harley with most of your worldly possessions attached via bungie cord, you really got to want to get there.So, I finally get there, I see the house/museum located on several lovely grassy acres behind another, more modern house. I ride over and park in front. A very nice gentleman, who turns out to be Art Browning, the curator, comes over and greets me. We talk a little and he invites me back up to the other house to meet MJH's granddaughter. I go with him and meet Mary, who is very gracious and invites me in for a cold drink. We all talk a little and Art asks if I play guitar, I say not so's you'd notice but a little. He quickly retrieves a gig bag from which he produces an old guitar which was given by John Sebastian. So me, Art, Mary, and a cousin of Mary's walk back to the museum house, guitar in hand, and sit on the front porch for a bit talking and picking. So, there I am, sitting in an old wooden rocking chair on MJH's front porch, playing this old guitar and thinking to myself that this is pretty damn cool. After a while Mary and her cousin go back to the other house and me and Art go inside the three-room dwelling for a tour. There are numerous artifacts in the house, a couple of guitars, photographs, some of MJH's original furniture. They have one wall where they invite guests to write their names. We are in the house around 45 minutes just talking and looking stuff, I buy a couple of cds and a few key chains for souvenirs for any of ya'll that want 'em. Then we go back up to the other house for a short visit, I give Mary my contact info so she can let me know of any goings on at the museum, we say our goodbyes and I ride back down that three mile gravel road with a huge grin on my face. They are going to have an annual gathering on July 4th each year, people are encouraged to bring their guitars and celebrate MJH's music with fellow fans. Last year was the first year, and they hope it will just get bigger, there is a stage for playing and lots of grass for sittin' and listenin'. Seeing all the stuff attached to my bike Mary even said it would be ok to camp there during the event. She also said that they are trying to the get the road paved, so by the time some of you get there it may be a smoother approach. Their website is http://msjohnhurtmuseum.com They are planning to have the website updated soon to accommodate cd orders, etc. Anyway, for any of MJH fans the museum is definitely worth a visit. I did get a nice color map of how to get there so if anyone wants one let me know I'll make a color copy and send it to you. |
rickb
Member
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posted 08-25-2004 06:30 AM
Way cool Kingdad. I'm glad you finally found it. I think I remember reading that MJH was born in Teoc. Did you get any pitchers?rickb |
Kingdad
Member
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posted 08-26-2004 08:46 AM
Hi Rick, I did take some photos of the house/museum. They asked that no pics be taken of the inside, but I have some of the outside. I don't know how to put them up here but if you're interested I'll email some to you.And you're right, MJH was from Teoc, the house is only about 3 or 4 miles from its original location. |
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