Capital Cities: Jackson, Mississippi

Capital Cities: Jackson, Mississippi
The Governor’s Mansion

With an array of big-city amenities, Jackson maintains a delightful sense of small-town Southern charm.


You might say that Jackson is Mississippi in microcosm. This self-proclaimed “city with soul” celebrates both the state’s past and its present with zeal, from the gracious Southern homes to the deeply rooted blues culture and prolific arts scene. On the cusp of an urban renaissance, Jackson is dedicated to preserving Mississippi’s multilayered history while forging a fresh and sassy new spirit.

Deborah Bryant, Mississippi’s First Lady and a native of west Jackson, has enjoyed a ringside seat for the city’s evolution. Although she doesn’t recall touring the Governor’s Mansion as a child—and certainly never dreamed she’d one day live there—it has been a constant presence through the decades, figuring prominently in key memories. “I learned to parallel park in front of the mansion—it was a little intimidating,” Deborah says with a laugh.