Mississippi was once the center of a massive and sophisticated civilization–the Mississippian culture (roughly 1000 AD) built incredible earthwork mounds that can still be found across the state, including the Pocahontas Mounds.
By the time Europeans showed up, the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez nations had established complex societies, trading networks, and deep ties to a land they called Misi-ziibi (the Ojibwe word for “Great River”).
The Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto was the first European to wander through in 1540, but the Spanish didn’t stick around. Then came the French, who claimed the whole watershed for King Louis XIV in 1682. They established the first permanent settlement at Old Biloxi in 1699 and later founded Natchez in 1716, making it the oldest city on the Mississippi River.
Control of the land flip-flopped between British, French, Spanish and finally became a U.S. territory in the late 1700s. This included all of present-day Mississippi and Alabama. There was a huge rivalry between the wealthy folks in the city of Natchez and the settlers in the eastern part of the territory. Eventually, the U.S. decided to just split the difference. In 1817, Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state in the Union, while the eastern half was split off to become the Alabama Territory.
The early years were dominated by cotton production and by 1860, Mississippi was the top cotton-producing state in the nation. The ensuing wealth was built on the backs of enslaved people who made up over half the population. This dependence on slave labor led to the state’s secession in 1861 and the pivotal Siege of Vicksburg. After the Union won control of the Mississippi River, the locals were so angry, they refused to celebrate the 4th of July until 1945 (more than 80 years!). The Confederates had lost and were unhappy about it for generations.
For the remaining decades, the fight for equal civil rights has been especially intense in Mississippi with hundreds of lynchings, including that of 14-year-old Emmett Till. You can find a number of memorials for Till and many others along the Civil Rights Trail.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Mississippi twice, teaching at Cotton Blossom Fabric Shoppe both times. The second time was on our LQS tour, so I was able to see a bit more of the state.
We stopped in Tupelo for my second Elvis stop–this time at his birthplace. A sweet little park features some of the family history, as well as the home he was born in. I grew up listening to Elvis’ music, so it seemed like an important place to stop.
Leaving Jackson, we drove the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile scenic drive that follows an ancient footbridge used by Native Americans and early settlers. It took us a couple days and was absolutely gorgeous. Somehow I stumbled onto the Natchez Trace: A Road Through the Wilderness podcast, which made the trip even more educational as we traveled across the state.
My favorite aspect of road trips is the opportunity to discover history, people and places you’d have otherwise never known about. Another one is Mississippi was finding the Mississippi Petrified Forest. It’s small and kinda quaint, but completely unexpected.
Quilt Block
For Mississippi, I decided to do a block that would commemorate the river that bears its name. The Mississippi River headwaters start at Itasca State Park in central Minnesota, then winds it way, growing wider and deeper, south to the Gulf of Mexico. The River Run block is designed to remind us of the winding of the Mississippi River using a technique that is part improv and part curves.
In the tutorial I’ll show you how to cut the gentle curves and sew them together for a unique block. You can use any color combination you prefer.
Quilt Shops in Mississippi
- Cotton Blossom Fabric Shoppe in Jackson is filled with notions, machines, fabrics of all sorts and a wonderful classroom. They were featured on Sew Together Tuesday in 2022.
- Block Therapy Quilt Shop in Gautier is a bright, modern shop and hosts numerous classes (including my Elemental Coat pattern). They are award-winning and it’s easy to see why.
- Sew Sister, Sew! in West Point is machine-centric, including sewing, embroidery and quilting machines as well as classes to help you make the most of them.
I can’t wait to see your Mississippi block! If you live in or have visited Mississippi, leave a comment. I’d love to hear more about it!
