The Oseola McCarty House officially opened as a museum on March 7 as the Sixth Street Museum District celebrated the birthday of Oseola McCarty, a Black philanthropist whose gift to the University of Southern Mississippi created scholarships for generations of students.
Speakers from different parts of her life came to speak about her impact, including the first recipient of the scholarship named after her, Stephanie Bullock-Ferguson.
“What it means to be here? First, being the first scholarship recipient, my only objective was to make Miss McCarty proud,” Bullock-Ferguson said. “I wanted to make sure that I represented her legacy of hard work and love and joy and exude all of those things. So, to be here today to see all of the effort and all the people that came out to support her ministry, it is overwhelming, but in the most beautiful way possible. I’m so proud of Miss McCarty and her legacy.”
The executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Rick Taylor, shared just how important sharing McCarty’s legacy is for the Hattiesburg community.
“It’s more than just the scholarships that she created, I think it speaks to the people of Hattiesburg,” he said.
Dr. Kimberley Davis, a professor of voice and music at USM, sang “Amazing Grace” at the grand opening, which was one of McCarty’s favorite songs.
“I would sing for some of the events they were holding for her (McCarty). And now to do this, it’s like the ultimate honor,” Davis said.
Davis said she felt humbled to be called upon to be a part of the ceremony.
The museum consists of different pieces from her life, murals, and interactive experiences like, an interactive washing station for kids and a look into how her daily life would’ve been. Gospel music also plays throughout the house alongside the many bibles she had to show how strong her faith in her religion was.
Zeke Jackson, a freshman and current Oseola McCarty scholar, shared his experience going through the museum.
“Just seeing the house and seeing the history and the impact and positive things that she’s done around the community,” he said, ““and that’s one of the, like, key experiences that I had walking throughout the house. It was very important because it’s almost like I was stuck in time.”
The museum will be open for visits Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment, and Saturdays at noon till 4 p.m. by appointment
To find out more and to book a visit, go to oseolamccartyhouse.com
