The Art Gallery

In 1996, the Ida B. Wells Family Art Gallery was chartered by a small group of dedicated educators, artists and civic leaders who sought to preserve and disseminate the artistic contributions of Africans and African Americans to Holly Springs, American and world culture. The Wells family Art Gallery was renamed in March 2002 as the Ida B. Wells Museum and Cultural Center of African American History.

The evolution of the institution from an Art Gallery into a museum has enabled it to broaden its scope of activities to include archives, genealogical research, history and more.

The Spires Bolling House

The museum is located in the Spires Bolling House on Randolph at Salem Avenue in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

Spires Bolling House itself is one of Holly Springs' best preserved AnteBellum homes. The house is Greek Revival style with the characteristic octagon posts in front of the house.

During the prosperous years of 1830 to 1860, many historic homes were built in Holly Springs. Several are still showcased in the City of Holly Springs' annual Pilgrimage. Although slave labor was used to construct these homes, a few slaves used their brains as much as their brawn. Among them was Jim Wells, Ida's father.

Jim Wells was a skilled craftsman who served as an apprentice carpenter during the construction of the Spires Bolling House at 220 North Randolph Street. In fact, Ida B. Wells was born on the grounds of the Spires Bolling House. This increases the historic value of the home and makes it the ideal location for the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum.

The Spires Bolling House is a hidden tourist treasure for Holly Springs and a jewel in a the city's crown. Not only is it an attraction that displays African American culture and heritage, it also presents a unique opportunity to promote a name that is renowned, nationally and internationally.