Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum
Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum
Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Come and experience the historic Soulé Steam Feed Works with exhibition Celebrate America’s Industrial Revolution: WORK, developed in collaboration between the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum and the Smithsonian, examines the impact of American workers on national and local history. This historic site is America’s last intact steam engine factory and manufactured Soulé Rotary and Spee-D-Twin steam engines from 1892 until 1980. Much of the factory with its antique equipment and fittings appear as though workers just walked away after World War II. Self-Guided tours Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Visit our website "Plan Your Visit" for more information. Museum Tour Season is Early-March thru Mid-December. Groups of 10 or more can receive a discounted rate. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designated a Mississippi Landmark and Official State Historical Industrial Museum.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Curtis S
Kingsport, TN2,652 contributions
Oct 2020
This is an interesting little museum that documents the contributions of Mr. Soule in terms of steam power, and anywhere it can be applied. The highlight of the self-guided tour is a walk through a work shop that illustrates how things were powered back in the day. One (maybe a couple) steam engines would power an overhead distribution system via belts and pulleys. That rotational energy could then be directed to whatever specific piece of machinery was needed. From drill presses to other metal/wood shaping devices. We take for granted how easy it is to do that kind of stuff today….it took a lot more effort back in the day. All the moving machinery might hold your kids attention for more than 5 minutes as well. Recommended.
Written 5 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren M
4 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
There were lots of exhibits with easy to read signage that discussed not only the equipment but the history of manufacturing in Meridian. Some of the steam boilers were restored and very nicely refurbished. Ironically, some of the machines are now electrically powered so you can observe how they operate. Very interesting and unique place to visit. They do offer a guided tour if you call ahead, so I would recommend that.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OleManRiver
Oxford, MS57 contributions
Dec 2011
This museum hghlights Meridian's history of "steam-feed" industries. The site is the old Soule Steam Feed Works, and the Miner Edger Works that operated here until the 1990's. Fascinating old steam machines and demonstrations of the steam-manufacturing process that provided many jobs in the city for decades.
Written 5 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrCarraway
125 contributions
Oct 2019
In October 2019, I participated in a 1.5-hour tour of the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum led by Mr. Hatcher. It was an excellent experience. Mr. Hatcher is a very knowledgeable tour guide. The museum is accessible, and many objects can be touched and used. On certain weekend, primarily the first Friday-Saturday of November, the steam engines are operational. There is a small, but lovely, gift shop. This is piece of Americana that needs to be preserved! I highly recommend this tour.
Written 4 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregdLA
New Iberia, LA156 contributions
Nov 2019
We come for the Soulé Steam Festival every year. Love the place! Friendly people and the preserved nature of the place is fantastic. If you like things mechanical you'll love the place!
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
978michaell
Birmingham, AL132 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We arrived an hour before it’s closing unintentionally. We were warmly greeted and given an excellent tour, that actually ran thirty minutes after closing. This is a fascinating piece of history that the state of Mississippi and the city of Meridian is lucky to see preserved. The docent is highly knowledgeable about the machinery, history and production processes. What a unique business that not only assembled steam powered machines, but actually produced the parts in cast iron and bronze on sight. This is a snap shot of truly highly talented American craftsman that produced products in the manner that helped to build our nation. The building is almost exactly like the way it was on the last day of production.
Written 26 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
491russellp
Byhalia, United States48 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Call ahead to see when a tour is available and pack some water to carry along the way as you get a guided tour through a foundry, a collection of steam engines, and a belt driven machine shop with all the fixins. Bobby gave us a very infromative trip through this museum in the making. It was a working shop that stopped production, but is being preserved to share of a legacy of Soule' and the revolutionary power of steam. There is also a print shop, broom factory, and loom area to top of this great collection. Only the entrance is air conditioned and some parts will not be accessible to those with mobility issues. Bobby was a great guide and the family pricing helped too.
Written 14 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidI151
Texas41 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
On a southern tour with my high school son we stopped by after spending the night in Meridian. Just looking for something to see while there. Because nobody else was there, we got a personalized tour! Staff member was super helpful and knowledgeable. My son thought the "old technology" was cool. Very neat place to see how things used to be done by hand!
DEFINITELY RECOMMEND if you are passing through the area!
DEFINITELY RECOMMEND if you are passing through the area!
Written 20 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msudawg12
Meridian, MS127 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
This is an attraction I cannot recommend enough. Please attempt to go during the Soule' Steam Festival though when everything is running. It is truly incredible to see how the machines operated back in the day and still work today. During the festival, the machines are operated by the local Community College's workforce development program. Definitely worth seeing.
It is also a fantastic private event space.
It is also a fantastic private event space.
Written 19 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele C
Biloxi, MS4 contributions
Dec 2020
A wonderful experience and a great tribute to all out Mississippi flyers. An attraction that both adults and children can enjoy
Written 20 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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