Mississippi Ag and Forestry Museum breaks ground on new Magnolia Gardens

JACKSON, Miss. – Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson broke ground on the new Magnolia Gardens exhibit at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum. Commissioner Gipson was joined by Hayes Patrick, director of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum; Pat Rutledge, representative of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc.; Matt Gates, owner of ARK Design + Build; and Ginger Williamson, deputy bureau director at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC).

“We’re proud to establish the new Magnolia Gardens,” said Commissioner Gipson. This exhibit provides families across the state a centralized location to visit and honor their loved ones. I’d like to thank the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. and ARK Design + Build for their support in this endeavor.”

The Magnolia Gardens is a cooperative project involving the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. and ARK Design + Build. This initiative will continue in the spirit and intent of the “Avenue of Magnolias” as a means of honoring or memorializing loved ones with a living legacy. Phase 1 of the project will include a premier garden with lighted pathways and water features. Phase 2 will include a Magnolia tree lined boulevard with landscaping. View the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9OPKChxVY4.

The public can support Magnolia Gardens through donations and special contributions in honor or memory of a special someone. Recommended donations are $25.00 per honoree. Each donation will be acknowledged with a letter and certificate. Donations exceeding $5,000 will be acknowledged with a plaque at the garden site. Contribution forms can be found at www.msmagnoliagardens.com.

The gardens will be located in front of the main building on the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s campus, incorporating the “Working Man” statue and courtyard area. ARK Design + Build have designed the Magnolia Gardens layout and will be the general contractor for this project.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, a division of MDAC, is located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Museum, call 601-432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit www.msagmuseum.org or visit the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Facebook.