O Brother Where Art Thou was mostly filmed in Mississippi.

In 1999, Actor George Clooney (center) greets fans Eunez McGonagill (left), Suzanne Salopek and Sonny McGonagill, during a break in filming the motion picture, "O Brother, Where Art Thou", on the square in Canton, Miss.

Mississippi: Though it’s technically a city, Canton has a historic small-town feel. That’s why it’s served as an idyllic backdrop for several major films, including “A Time to Kill” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Local tourist attractions include Canton’s Museum of History, the Courthouse Square and the city’s contributions to the Mississippi Blues Trail. It’s especially charming to visit during Christmastime when the whole city is strung with hundreds of thousands of lights. Canton’s Museum of History: $5.

9 Adorable Small Towns In Mississippi

In Mississippi, you can trace the Mississippi River by day and chase Delta blues after dark, then still make it back in time for hot tamales and a slice of pecan pie. That mix of scenery and sound plays out in small towns all over the state, from riverfront overlooks to neon-lit music rooms. Whether you are catching the game-day energy in Oxford, soaking up the waterfront charm in Ocean Springs, or getting up close with wildlife in Tupelo, it never takes long to find your next exciting stop in Mississippi.

Mississippi Freedom Trail marker unveiled in Canton to honor civil rights legacy

CANTON, Miss. —

Visit Mississippi and the Mississippi Humanities Council unveiled a new Mississippi Freedom Trail marker in Canton on Tuesday, honoring the Canton Freedom House's significant role during the Civil Rights Movement.

The Canton Freedom House served as a crucial headquarters for the Congress of Racial Equality during the Civil Rights Movement. Canton residents George and Rembert Washington rented the home to CORE organizer and Freedom Rider George Raymond, providing him with a safe base for organizing protests and voter registration drives.

Continue Reading…

Living History: Billy Joe Wells

Billy Joe Wells doesn’t just commemorate Black History Month for 28 days in February. He lives it every single day of the year.

“The country has set aside one month for black history month,” Wells says, “but I live it 365 days.”

As a tour guide and coordinator at the Canton Multicultural Center and Freedom House Museum, Wells doesn’t simply recount history from textbooks; he embodies it. A retired educator with 37 years in the classroom, a former minister of music at his church, and a Canton native deeply rooted in his community. Wells brings an authentic, personal perspective to every tour he leads, and for good reason.

As a teenager in the 1960s, he attended the Freedom School, which was housed in the very building he now helps preserve. The Freedom School was a place where young people like Wells could learn and interact with others across the state.

“We got a chance to meet other races,” Wells recalls. “We got a chance to do activities. They taught reading, and that time, we didn’t have the knowledge of a lot of books, so we got a chance to read a lot of books, to have fun, to play different games.”

 A House That Changed History

The modest house at 838 George Washington Avenue doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the Canton Freedom House played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement as the local headquarters of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).

In 1963, grocery store owners George and Rembert Washington risked everything by renting their house to George Raymond, CORE’s Canton director. The couple’s courage created a headquarters for the local civil rights movement and a place to register Black voters. However, as soon as Raymond moved in, segregationists boycotted their business, and in 1964, white supremacists bombed the Freedom House. Though no one was injured, the violence emphasized the daily risks that civil rights workers and local CORE supporters faced.

Where Legends Walked

Through the Freedom House doors passed some of the most iconic figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, James Meredith, who was the first African-American student at the University of Mississippi, and Stokely Carmichael, one of the original Freedom Riders, and who also popularized the term “Black Power.” Also, musicians like Harry Belafonte and B.B. King all visited the movement’s headquarters and performed.

“We have pictures of Dr. King here, some pictures of the march, and pictures of some of the other things that happened.”

A Legacy Worth Preserving

Today, the Canton Freedom House is the last remaining Freedom House in Mississippi used by CORE, and for the past 20 years, Wells has been giving tours, welcoming visitors from Detroit, New York, New Orleans, and other cities across Mississippi.

“I’ve gotten compliments, I’ve gotten letters, I’ve gotten thank you cards, I’ve gotten books, readings, showing how thankful they were for the tour,” he says. “Most people right here in our city didn’t realize that we had this museum.”

Recognizing this gap, Wells took initiative. He obtained permission and contacted schools, churches, and various organizations throughout Canton to schedule tours and field trips.” They’ll walk up from the school up here to the museum,” he says. 

More than a Museum

 The Canton Multicultural Center & Museum also celebrates the history, family life, business, and life of African Americans.

Inside the museum, visitors encounter numerous carefully curated exhibits. The Blues Cultural Wall commemorates the era when Canton was a stop for legendary performers such as B.B. King and Ethel Waters. Additionally, there’s a section dedicated to Sister Thea Bowman, a Canton native and the first African American member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, which features various artifacts from her life. Most recently, Sister Thea is being considered for sainthood.

For Wells, he personally drove Sister Thea Bowman to some of her engagements before she succumbed to cancer at the age of 52 in 1990. Additionally, when Harry Belafonte and Whoopi Goldberg came to Canton to work on a film project about Sister Thea’s life, Welch had the privilege of driving them around the city. Goldberg was in talks to portray Sister Thea, but the project was not completed before Sister Thea’s passing.

The Takeaway

When asked what he wants visitors to understand after their tour, Well’s response is clear and powerful: “To understand the struggle. To get knowledge of things that really happened. The major struggle that we went through to be able to vote, to hold office in Canton, and to get to where we are now and where we’re going.”

The Freedom House shows visitors not just where Canton has been, but how far the community has come, and how much work remains. “We still have some work to do,” Wells says. 

“It tells our legacy and reminds us of the strength, the creativity, and the possibilities of change. “It’s the foundation that shaped our lives. To remember where we were, where we are now, and where we’re going.” 

Visit and Remember

For Wells, every tour is an opportunity to pass on knowledge that can’t be found in textbooks. “There’s a variety of knowledge to learn something here in the museums that you could pass on,” he says.

While February may be designated as Black History Month, Billy Joe Wells reminds us that this history, the struggle, the triumph, and the continuing journey, deserve attention and honor every single day of the year.

And as he says, “I live it 365 days.”

Cinema in Canton: A Spotlight on the Canton Movie Museums

Did you know that some of Hollywood’s most iconic Southern films were shot in downtown Canton? With timeless and authentic contributions to film, Canton has quietly played a starring role on the big screen for decades. Today, that cinematic legacy lives on through the Canton Movie Museums, two immersive attractions that celebrate the town’s unexpected, and enduring ties to Hollywood.

Canton’s connection to the film industry began in the 1990s, when its classic small-town architecture and preserved historic district caught the eye of location scouts. Since then, multiple productions have chosen Canton as their filming home, including A Time to Kill (1996), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and My Dog Skip (2000). These high-profile films introduced Canton to millions of viewers worldwide, helping establish the town as a sought-after location for directors drawn to the atmosphere and character of the American South.

While Canton may not have cameras rolling every single day, film activity here is far from occasional. The Mississippi Film Office works year-round with filmmakers exploring locations across the state, including Canton, to determine the right fit for upcoming projects. In fact, Canton continues to host productions throughout the year, with recent films including The Minute You Wake Up Dead starring Cole Hauser and Morgan Freeman and Finding Faith with John Schneider, as well as upcoming releases like Hotel Tehran starring Liam Neeson and The Girl in the River featuring Ralph Macchio, Tiffany Haddish, Maggie Grace, and Devon Sawa. These productions bring more than star power, they create local jobs, support small businesses, and reinforce Canton’s reputation as Mississippi’s Film Capital, where movie-making remains an active and meaningful part of the community.

Inside the Canton Movie Museums

The Canton Movie Museums preserve and showcase the town’s film legacy, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how Canton transformed into unforgettable movie settings.

A Time to Kill Museum

Based on John Grisham’s novel and brought to life by director Joel Schumacher, A Time to Kill remains one of the most iconic films ever shot in Canton. Inside the museum, guests can step directly into the world of the film and explore:

• Original props from the movie

• Set pieces and courtroom replicas

• Costumes worn by cast members

• Behind-the-scenes photography

• Production notes and memorabilia

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Museum

The Coen Brothers’ beloved Southern odyssey brought a different kind of cinematic character to Canton, reimagining the town as a Depression-era Mississippi landscape. This museum includes:

• Props and costumes used by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson

• Musical artifacts tied to the film’s Grammy-winning soundtrack

• Original set designs and concept art

• Interactive displays about the movie’s themes and cultural impact

My Dog Skip: A Canton Classic

Another cherished film represented at the Canton Movie Museums is My Dog Skip, the heartwarming coming-of-age story filmed in Canton and inspired by author Willie Morris’s childhood in Mississippi. Released in 2000, the film captures the spirit of small-town life through its nostalgic storytelling and memorable scenes filmed throughout Canton. Museum exhibits highlight the movie’s local ties, its role in introducing Canton to a new generation of filmgoers, and the lasting emotional connection audiences continue to have with the story.

An Experience for Everyone

Whether you’re a devoted film buff, interested in Mississippi history, or simply someone who appreciates good storytelling, the Canton Movie Museums offer something for everyone.

For Movie Lovers:
Film enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to step behind some of the South’s most recognizable movies, including:

• Up-close access to authentic Hollywood artifacts

• Insight into location scouting and production design

• Photo opportunities inspired by iconic scenes

• A closer look at how major films are made in small-town America

Families and Casual Visitors:
The museums are designed to be engaging even for visitors unfamiliar with the films, offering:

• Visual exhibits that are easy to follow

• A fresh way to explore Canton’s history

• Interactive elements that appeal to all ages

• A unique alternative to traditional museum formats

For History Enthusiasts:
Beyond the films, the Canton Movie Museums provide a compelling look into Mississippi’s cultural and historical identity, showing how cinema reflects and preserves real moments in time.

• How Canton’s historic downtown was used to recreate different eras

• Context on life in Mississippi during the Depression and Civil Rights Period

• A deeper understanding of Canton’s role in the films’ narratives

• Insight into how movies document and interpret history

Canton’s film story is still unfolding. Through initiatives like the Young Filmmakers Workshop, hosted locally to introduce students to the art of filmmaking, the city continues to nurture creativity and celebrate its place in the cinematic world.

Whether you’re planning a weekend trip, exploring Mississippi’s cultural trail, or curious about the movies that shaped Canton’s identity, the Canton Movie Museums invite you to step into a story where movie history and Mississippi heritage meet.