Page 197 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2015

children can experience shopping in
a grocery store or they can experience what it’s like to check into a 1890s Victorian hotel. In other areas, children can operate a crane, drag for shrimp or load bananas at the port.
Hurricane Katrina devastated
the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but the museum stood defiantly among the Live Oaks as the storm surge reduced the entire first floor of exhibits, the artist studio and staff offices to rubble. The Education Building was destroyed and the gymnasium
multi-purpose spaces were flooded. The old school housing the main museum was re-opened in June of 2006 with insurance proceeds and
federal and state funds. Renovations are continuing at the gymnasium. The outdoor pavilion has been converted into three multi-purpose rooms.
Phase II and III of the building project, with a $3 million budget, was completed with the opening of the WINGS
TOP RIGHT: Mississippi City Elementary School before construction began on the museum. LEFT: Lynn Meadows Discovery Center after being devastated by Katrina. OPPOSITE PAGE: Children enjoy playing at Lynn Meadows.
Performing Arts and Education Center in April 2009. “And Phase
IV will include renovation of the gymnasium into a performing arts center for youth,” DeFrances said. “A $1.2 million CIAP grant will be used to acquire one and a half acres south of the existing museum towards the beach.”
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
246 Dolan Ave., Gulfport 228.248.0071 Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 12 a.m.-5 p.m.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
September 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 197