Music is in the air at 218 Louisiana Avenue. Workers have completed structural and interior renovations and have installed exhibits at the former U. S. Post Office in Ferriday, recently opened as the Delta Music Museum. Located in Concordia Parish and just a few minutes away from historic Natchez, Mississippi, Ferriday was home place to entertainers Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, blues trombonist Pee Wee Whittaker, General Claire Chennault, and newscaster Howard K. Smith, and is now home to the new museum, dedicated on March 2, 2002.

Previously known as the Ferriday Museum and housed in a small bank building, the Delta Music Museum is the newest addition to the Louisiana Department of State's Historic Museums Program. The city acquired the former post office property as a purchase/donation from the Ater Brothers of Ferriday. Legislation introduced by Representative Bryant O. Hammett, Jr. passed the Legislature in 2001 adding the new museum to Secretary of State Fox McKeithen's museums program. Under this arrangement the city will own the facility and contribute towards the budget, but it will be funded, operated and staffed by the state.

The building, constructed in 1939-40, has been completely remodeled to accommodate the museum's exhibits, and includes space for live performances and future interactive exhibits. Many of the building's original features have been restored and help to create a special nostalgic ambience for visitors. For example, vintage post office boxes line the museum's lobby, just as they did when it was first constructed. The new museum will consist of interpretative and interactive exhibits focusing on the history, music and culture of the Louisiana-Mississippi Delta region. Music galleries with interactive music kiosks, mannequins and more are planned. The museum will also recognize other national figures such as General Chennault, Howard K. Smith and Ann Boyar Warner, who married Hollywood producer Jack Warner.

Pee Wee Whitaker

The Louisiana Music Cavalcade, sponsored by Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, began its journey in Ferriday, Louisiana on Saturday, March 2, 2002. The event was the first stop of a traveling music festival designed to educate as well as celebrate Louisiana's unique musical heritage. A star studded day was enjoyed by thousands at the new Delta Music Museum as music legends Mickey Gilley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Reverend Jimmy Swaggart were inducted into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame. The jazz great Pee Wee Whittaker was be inducted posthumously.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy
Swaggart and Mickey Gilley

Secretary of State McKeithen hoped to unite the trio of singing cousins on stage as Ferriday welcomed home her native sons. "Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart were present for their induction but Jerry Lee Lewis was unable to attend due to unforseen problems" said McKeithen. "We plan to honor many more natives of the Louisiana/ Mississippi Delta region - people who have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally, not only in music, but in various fields of endeavor such as education, business and athletics. I ask the citizens of our state to nominate other distinguished Louisianians for induction into our Delta Music Museum and Hall of Fame."

The museum is located in downtown Ferriday in Concordia Parish, just minutes away from Natchez, MS, and a convenient drive away from Alexandria, LA. Ample on-street and private parking lots are located nearby. Tour buses are welcome. Click here for a MAP.

Contact us at 218 Louisiana Avenue, Ferriday, LA 71334. Telephone (318) 757-9999. Email: deltamusic@sos.louisiana.gov

Visit the museum Monday through Friday from 9 AM until 4 PM. The museum is closed on weekends. Admission is free. Organized, scheduled student groups are welcome. We are handicapped accessible.