The Eudora Welty Library in Jackson, Mississippi will be torn down to make way for a new green space near two history museums that have become top tourist attractions in the city. The decision to demolish the library was made by the board of the state Department of Archives and History, with plans to create a public park in its place. The library, named after the acclaimed author Eudora Welty, did not house important documents from her and faced various maintenance problems over the years.
The Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, located nearby, have drawn visitors to the area since opening under the same roof in 2017. The new green space near the museums will be the third public park in downtown Jackson, reviving the original vision for the city’s layout from 1822. The department plans to begin demolition by June 1, with the closure of the Welty library in February and the relocation of its materials. A federal grant of $3.7 million has been secured for a new Welty library branch in downtown Jackson.
Originally a Sears department store in the mid-1940s, the building that housed the Welty library later became a public library in the late 1980s. Eudora Welty, who passed away in 2001, was a prominent author known for her lyrical short stories and received the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for her novel, “The Optimist’s Daughter.” Despite the city of Jackson facing challenges such as a declining population and eroding tax base, the decision to demolish the library and create a green space aims to enhance the capital city and provide a new asset for residents and visitors.
With the population of Jackson declining and a significant portion living in poverty, the city has faced various issues including problems with its water system that nearly collapsed in 2022. Currently, the water system is under the control of a federally appointed administrator to address the challenges. The new green space near the history museums is part of efforts to revitalize downtown Jackson and provide an attractive public area for the community.
The Department of Archives and History sees the demolition of the Eudora Welty Library as an opportunity to replace an abandoned building with a beautiful public park that will enhance the capital city. By creating a third public green space in downtown Jackson, the department aims to preserve the original layout envisioned for the area in 1822. The new park near the history museums will complement existing public spaces in the city, offering residents and visitors a place to enjoy nature and the outdoors. The decision to demolish the library and create a green space reflects efforts to improve the quality of life in Jackson and revitalize the downtown area.
