Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson is the capital and largest city in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, its population is 184,256. The Jackson metropolitan area, including its suburbs and Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Copiah, and Simpson counties, has a population of 510,000. Jackson is one of the county seats of Hinds County; Raymond is the other county seat. The city has self-styled itself as "The Best of the New South," and "The Bold, New City." Frank Melton is the current mayor of Jackson.

Cultural Organizations

• Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi - http://www.mscraftsmensguild.org
• Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO), formerly the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1944
• Ballet Mississippi
• Mississippi Museum of Art, including the Walter C. Davis Planetarium
• Mississippi Opera
• Mississippi Chorus
• New Stage Theatre
• Mississippi Hispanic Association
• Mississippi Heritage Trust
• Mississippi Arts Center
• Smith-Robertson Museum and Cultural Center
• Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum
• Mynelle Gardens
• Jackson State University Botanical Garden
• Jackson Zoo
• Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History
• Governor's Mansion
• Manship House Museum
• Boyd House/The Oaks House Museum