Tenn-Tom museum gets state funds

COLUMBUS — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a grant to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority to establish a museum in its headquarters in Columbus.

The goal of the museum board is to raise $1 million between grants and outside contributions to complete the project. Construction is expected to begin within the next 60 days, according to Agnes Zaiontz, museum director.

The museum will highlight the uniqueness of the waterway with its lock and dam system and will eventually incorporate artifacts and information from rail and highway transportation. It will show the evolution of the Tenn-Tom region’s transportation system with emphasis on the waterway. Included will be historical items obtained from the Smithsonian Institute and from state and federal archives. The exhibits in the museum will change periodically to provide a continuing source of new information.

The museum will be located at 318 Seventh Street North in Columbus.