Tunica RiverPark

This 24,000 square foot museum is centered on the life of the Mississippi river and its history. The artifacts and interpretative exhibits date back to the days of early Indian civilization, highlighting life on the river and historical events, such as the flood of 1927, giving visitors a true understanding of how the Delta and its residents adapted to the power of the river. Museum visitors can learn about Hernando DeSoto, view live turtles and fish in one of the four aquariums, and experience life below the water’s surface inside the simulated diving bell. Adults and children will be fascinated with the collections found in this state-of-the-art facility.

Self-Guided Museum Tour

Museum Exhibits - 1st Floor

  1. Orientation Theater (AV). An eight-minute film tells the story of the Mississippi River.
  2. Map Room (AV). A giant animated map illustrates the geology and history of the Mississippi. Historic maps line the walls.
  3. Aquariums. Four huge aquariums contain lowland and aquatic life. Also see the display of 60-million-year-old fish fossils.
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  4. Wetlands. Examples of indigenous wildlife are displayed in a dramatic diorama with sculptural cypress trees that extend to the second level.
  5. Native Americans (AV). The “Mound Builders” story features a wonderful array of prehistoric artifacts. Film: The Native Americans, Early Explorers, and the Louisiana Purchase.
  6. DeSoto and the Conquistadors. The Spanish incursion had a catastrophic impact on the indigenous population, and was disastrous for the invaders as well. Highlight: Full-size figure of “The Tired Conquistador.”
  7. Colonial Settlements and the Louisiana Purchase. Outposts of the westward frontier depended heavily on the Mississippi and its tributaries. Highlight: Scale model of Arkansas Post, an early French Settlement.
  8. Stairs

Museum Exhibits - 2nd Floor

  1. Steamboats and the 19th Century (AV). Film: Caisson Building. Film: The Golden Age - The Mississippi River in the 19th Century.
  2. Diving Bell Simulator (AV). James Eads takes you on a simulated trip to the river bottom in his diving bell.
  3. Delta Dirt. Core samples compare deep Delta soil to the less fertile soil from other locations.
  4. Civil War. A full-scale section of an ironclad gunboat provides a backdrop for artifacts from the wreck of the U.S.S. Cairo.
  5. Cotton is King.
  6. The Mississippi River Commission. The Commission works with the Corps of Engineers and local levee boards to control the Mississippi River floods.
  7. Blues Culture.
  8. Floods (AV). Film: Original film footage and personal accounts tell the story of the Delta and its devastating floods. Highlight: A full-scale tenant house illustrates the ravages of the 1927 flood.
  9. Corps of Engineers. A display of different revetment designs and a model of our stretch of the Mississippi highlights this gallery.
  10. The River Today (AV). Film: There are three parts to the story of the modern river - big business, a struggle for control, and recreation.
  11. Changing Exhibit Gallery: Art and the River.
  12. Mississippi River Flyover (AV). A dramatic 15 minute time-lapse video follows the course of the river from its source in Minnesota until it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
  13. Exit / Portrait Gallery. Portraits of some of the important players in the story of the Mississippi River, such as Mark Twain and Tom Lee, flank the museum's exit stairway.
  14. Elevator to Observation Deck.

Observation Deck - 3rd Floor

ONE RIVERPARK DRIVE • P.O. BOX 99 •
TUNICA RESORTS, MISSISSIPPI 38664

TOLL FREE 866-51RIVER (517-4837) •
662-357-0050 • 662-357-0170 FAX

www.tunicariverpark.com


If you need help contact us at
866-51-RIVER (866-517-4837).
 
   
Contact Us - 866-51RIVER (866-517-4837) One River Park Dr. P.O. Box 99 Tunica, MS 38664