Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum

Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum The Industrial Heritage Museum at historic Soulé Steam Feed Works celebrates the American Industrial Revolution with an interpretive exhibit.

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, Nonprofit Organization, Meridian, MS. "Celebrate America’s Industrial Revolution: WORK," developed in collaboration between the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum and the Smithsonian, examines the impact of American workers on na

tional and local history. Hard-working people of every ethnicity, class, gender, and age powered our nation’s growth and economy. The exhibits feature the stories of Soule’ and the inventors and industrial producers who made Meridian a key player in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Museum hosts Maker Faire Meridian, Soule' Spring Steam-Up and Soule' Live Steam Festival. For more information visit: https://www.industrialheritagemuseum.com/exhibitions-events/

Soulé Steam Feed Works has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979 due to the historical significance of founder George W. Soulé, inventor and industrialist. The site was designated a Mississippi Landmark in Fall 2003. Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum was designated the Official State Historical Industrial Museum in July 2004 by the Mississippi legislature.

Here’s great video for everyone who have asked: “Why don’t you have a steam sawmill to demonstrate how a Soule’ Spee-d-t...
08/25/2026

Here’s great video for everyone who have asked: “Why don’t you have a steam sawmill to demonstrate how a Soule’ Spee-d-twin steam engine is used.” Thank you Kory for making this interesting and informative video about a steam-powered sawmill!

What does it take to turn logs into lumber using steam power?Step...

🚨 TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE: BEATING THE HEAT 🚨Due to National Weather Service extreme heat alerts and out of an abundanc...
08/17/2026

🚨 TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE: BEATING THE HEAT 🚨

Due to National Weather Service extreme heat alerts and out of an abundance of caution for our visitors, volunteers, and staff, Soulé Steam Museum is temporarily suspending weekday self-guided tours.

Our historic factory complex is largely unconditioned, and during periods of extreme heat, indoor temperatures can quickly become uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. The safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff comes first.

☀️ SPECIAL HOURS THIS WEEK

To help everyone stay safe and cool, we are adjusting our public hours:

SATURDAY: 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
WEEKDAYS: Temporarily closed

We will return to our regular schedule as soon as conditions allow.

Please stay cool, stay hydrated, and check on your neighbors. We look forward to welcoming you back to the historic factory during the cooler morning hours on Saturday!

Thank you to everyone who made SPARK! Places of Innovation such a meaningful and inspiring experience at the Soulé Steam...
08/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who made SPARK! Places of Innovation such a meaningful and inspiring experience at the Soulé Steam Museum!

A special thank you goes to our partners and supporters—including the Mississippi Humanities Council, Visit Meridian, Meridian Main Street, educators, volunteers, and collaborators—who helped us bring these stories of innovation to life. Your dedication, creativity, and support made it possible for visitors to explore how ideas become inventions and how innovation can shape a community and our world.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who came to visit! We loved seeing families, students, educators, longtime friends, and first-time visitors exploring the exhibition, asking questions, and discovering the remarkable stories behind innovation.

While the Smithsonian’s SPARK! Places of Innovation exhibition now continues its journey to Greenville, Meridian’s story of innovation continues at Soulé! Our locally curated companion exhibit, featuring innovators and innovations from Meridian and our region, will remain on display through the Soulé Steam Show, November 6–7.

We are grateful to everyone who helped us share these stories and to everyone who walked through our doors this summer to discover them. Thank you for making SPARK! at Soulé such a special experience for our community.

08/15/2026

Today is the day!

Maker Faire Meridian — the area’s Greatest Show and Tell — is happening today at the Soulé Steam Museum! Come see some really neat demonstrations, meet creative makers, and experience the fun of making things firsthand.

While you’re here, don’t miss the Smithsonian exhibition SPARK! Places of Innovation. Our companion local exhibit, curated by the Soulé Steam Museum, tells the stories of Meridian-area innovators — including some surprising facts and achievements you may have never heard before!

Come spend part of your Saturday with us and celebrate making, creativity, innovation, and local history!

📍 Soulé Steam Museum
🕙 Today, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.

07/25/2026

The Soule’ Steam Museum presents Smithsonian’s SPARK! Places of Innovation traveling exhibition and our exciting new local companion exhibit.

Exhibition is open Tuesday-Saturday through August 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with FREE admission. You’re invited to experience this one-of-a-kind exhibition celebrating the people, ideas, and innovations that have shaped Meridian and East Mississippi.

Presented by Museum on Main Street, a partnership of the Smithsonian Institution and Mississippi Humanities Council, SPARK! Places of Innovation explores how innovation happens in small towns and rural communities. Our companion exhibit highlights the remarkable inventors, industries, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose ideas have helped shape Meridian and East Mississippi.

Discover inspiring stories of invention, medicine, aviation, manufacturing, music, and industrial innovation while exploring the museum’s historic belt-driven factory, working steam engines, and hands-on exhibits.

📍 Soule’ Steam Museum
🗓 Open Through August 15
Tuesday-Friday
FREE ADMISSION
🕘 Opens daily at 10:00 a.m.

07/08/2026
You don’t want to miss this exhibit!
07/02/2026

You don’t want to miss this exhibit!

This event will explore how unique people and circumstances drive creativity in rural American communities.

Thank you Lamar Robotics Team for helping install Smithsonian SPARK! Places of Innovation. We’re honored to host another...
07/02/2026

Thank you Lamar Robotics Team for helping install Smithsonian SPARK! Places of Innovation. We’re honored to host another M.O.M.S. exhibit at Soule’ Steam Museum this summer. The local exhibit, specially created for the museum, will tell the story of innovators and innovations associated with Meridian. Admission to the exhibit is FREE!

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Address

1808 4th Street
Meridian, MS
39301

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

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