Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum

(Redirected from Jefferson Davis Presidential Library)

Building in Mississippi, U.S.

Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum
West façade of the Library and Museum
Location in Mississippi
General information
Location	Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Coordinates	30°23′35.2″N 88°58′12.2″W / 30.393111°N 88.970056°W / 30.393111; -88.970056
Named for	Jefferson Davis
Inaugurated	Dedicated on May 30, 1998 Rededicated on June 3, 2013
Cost	$11.5 million
Management	Mississippi Division, S.C.V.
Technical details
Size	24,000 square feet (2,200 m)
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Larry Albert
Other information
Public transit access	CTA
Website
www.visitbeauvoir.org

The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum is the library of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. Designed by Larry Albert of Albert & Associates Architects, the library is located within the Beauvoir historical site in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States.

Facilities

The library has the stated purpose of preserving, housing, and making available the official papers, records, artifacts, and other historical materials of Jefferson Davis. Despite the name, it is not administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, as Jefferson Davis was never president of the United States. It is, however, supported by the State of Mississippi, as is described on a plaque at the library entrance. The library is managed by the Mississippi Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and features continually changing temporary exhibits and a permanent exhibit covering Davis's life.

On August 29, 2005, the library suffered heavy damage from the fierce wind and water of Hurricane Katrina. The library pavilion, the Hayes Cottage, the Soldiers Home barracks replica, the Confederate Soldiers Museum, the gift shop, and the director's home were totally destroyed. Artifacts were photographed, inventoried, boxed, and placed in environmental storage while conservation of the items and Beauvoir Historic Site were underway. On January 9, 2007, the library accepted a $4.1 million bid to rebuild the library and museum. Because of hurricane damage, renovation of the original library was deemed impossible; a rebuilt library was rededicated and opened to the public on June 3, 2013. The Federal Emergency Management Agency paid $4 million to repair Beauvoir and an additional $10 million to construct the new library. A statue of Davis by sculptor William Beckwith is on display outside the museum.