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Lauren Rogers Museum of ArtArt Galleries
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Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

4.8(540)google
4.9(15)yelp
Free(In accordance with the founders' wishes, admission has remained free for nearly a century, with a voluntary donation box at the entrance)
Art

Overview

The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, located in the historic town of Laurel, is a highly acclaimed cultural jewel and Mississippi's very first art museum, founded in 1923. Housed in a spectacular Georgian Revival structure, the museum boasts a world-class collection featuring American art, European masterworks, intricate Japanese woodblock prints, and breathtaking Native American baskets. Visitors are consistently amazed by the sheer depth and global caliber of the collections hidden within this charming Southern town, often celebrated in popular television. The museum provides an intimate, enriching gallery experience, blending deep historical architecture with an expansive aesthetic journey that appeals to seasoned art connoisseurs worldwide.

Practical Info

565 N 5th Ave, Laurel, MS 39440, USA
MonClosed
Tue10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Sun1:00 – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeHighly recommended Tuesday through Saturday mornings around 10:30 AM from March to May. As Mississippi's oldest charted art museum, the morning sun pours beautifully through the grand barrel-vaulted skylights, illuminating the historic quarters clad in rich quarter-sawed oak paneling and rare 19th-century European oil masters.
Getting ThereLocated in historic downtown Laurel at 565 N 5th Avenue. Drive via I-59 to Exit 95B for MA-15 North toward the historic district. Follow 5th Avenue south for 1.5 miles; the neo-classical building is highly prominent, offering an attached, complimentary paved asphalt lot well-shaded by giant heritage oaks.
(601) 649-6374
lrma.org/

Travel Tips

  • Housing hyper-fragile Native American woven baskets, specialized galleries use ultra-low lux profiles and sensitive humidity arrays; leaning close to cases or breathing on glass is banned.
  • Complimentary parking fills the designated Rogers Street angle slots; neighboring access infrastructure relies on historic uneven brick surfaces where long towed trailers risk bottoming out.
  • Galleries maintain deep-freeze environmental profiles to safeguard centuries-old European canvas structures; packing a thick fleece jacket is mandatory to complete the 1-hour docent tour.

Reviews

Positive
  • As Mississippi's first art museum, the building itself is a masterpiece; the interior woodwork holds high core value.
  • It houses highly authentic Native American baskets, European paintings, and Japanese woodblocks, spanning global cultures.
  • Completely free to enter without admission; restrooms are luxurious and clean with wide accessible ramps—unbeatable value.
  • Located in Laurel's historic district with easy parking; crowds stay light, the vibe is peaceful, and staff are highly polite.
Heads up
  • For young tourists not into niche crafts like basket weaving or classical art, parts of the content may feel slightly dry.
  • While the venue is upscale, the town is relatively remote and lacks fast public transit, requiring a car to tour deeply.
  • Text panels and electronic audio equipment are purely in English without multilingual guides, limiting foreign guests' depth.
  • The interior lacks a cozy cafe or rest area for coffee and light meals; secondary consumption requires walking to the town core.

相关攻略

Official WebsiteVisit Laurel Mississippi Portal
Back to Laurel City Guide