A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday in Tupelo to kick off construction of the $60 million Chickasaw Heritage Center.
Upon completion, the Chickasaw Heritage Center (CHC) will be the largest educational experience in northeast Mississippi, sharing accounts of Chickasaw history and culture from a uniquely Chickasaw perspective.
CHC visitors will be able to learn about the tribe’s history in its Mississippi homeland from prehistoric times to 1837, prior to the tribe’s forced removal to Indian Territory located in present-day Oklahoma. Tribal traditions, experiences, and the spirit of the Chickasaw people will be on full display at the CHC.
“We gather to commemorate what I consider to be a monumental leap forward in the Chickasaws’ ability to preserve and promote our culture and to share it with the world,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. “The future of the Chickasaw Heritage Center will be many things to many people, but for us, as Chickasaws, it is the next step forward in the realization of our vision to be a Nation of successful and united people with a strong cultural identity.”
The 162-acre campus will contain a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art exhibit hall, theater, café, art gallery, administrative offices, gift shop, multi-purpose room and playground, as well as collections areas. Dedicated to providing an immersive interactive educational experience, the exhibit hall will be an interpretative space highlighting Chickasaw history and culture.
Walking trails will directly connect the campus to the Natchez Trace Parkway’s National Scenic Trail under an agreement with the National Park Service.
A project of the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation, the CHC represents a significant, collaborative effort and investment between the state of Mississippi, the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city of Tupelo, individual donors, small businesses and regional foundations, and the Chickasaw Nation.
The CHC is expected to enhance tourism and spur economic growth in the area. Located along the Natchez Trace Parkway near its intersections with the major transportation corridors of U.S. Interstate 22, Mississippi Highway 6, and U.S. Highway 45, the venue is anticipated to strengthen community partnerships with regional schools, museums, and other historical attractions.
Upon competition in 2026, the estimated economic impact of the Chickasaw Heritage Center will be around $6 million, with 100,000 visitors or more expected annually. The venue will offer at least 25 permanent jobs in the area, with potential for more in the future. Local contractors will be hired for construction.
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