Mississippi John Hurt Home/Museum – Carrollton, Mississippi
You will want to take the time to visit the Mississippi John Hurt Museum which is the actual home of the late Mississippi John Hurt built the 1800′s. Take the two hour tour which includes the museum, home, church, historical marker, gravesite and Old Community Store where MS John Hurt played.
This old house is the home of John Hurt, the well-known Blues Musician who grew up and lived in the area. He was known for his three finger pickin style of playing which would sound like there were two guitars playing at the same time, rather than just John.
He was born in 1893 and lived until 1966. He recorded his music in the 20′s but it never really became successful due to the lack of funding during the depression to press enough records. He returned home and continued to play for local enjoyment and occassionally would venture out to play.
His music was re-discovered in the 60′s and was a sensation at the 1963 Newport Fok Festival.
It is said that John Hurts’ "sound was shaped almost entirely by his humble personality and a self-taught guitar style unaffected by modern influences. John Hurt was deeply connected to the rural land and the people he came from, his songs often sounding like they came up out of the wide-open fields and swamps where he lived and worked most of his life. He was authentic, down to his bones." Jim Ohlschmidt 2005 article.
The museum is a three room house with numerous artifacts, a couple of guitars, photographs, some of MJH’s original furniture and a wall where guests are invited to write their names. It really is worth the visit, the feeling that overcomes you, if you are a blues fan, is just neat.
Location: Rt. 2, Box 47A-Road 109, Carrollton, MS 38917
Phone: 662.455.3958
Email: mfhurt_wright@yahoo.com
Hours: Open Year Round
Hours: Mon-Sat; 12 noon-5 p.m.
Admission $5 Adults, under 12 years free
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