University in Lafayette County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

The Lyceum

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2017

1. The Lyceum Marker

Inscription. The Lyceum, which opened for the first University of Mississippi class in 1848, symbolizes the origins, endurance, and triumphs of higher education in Mississippi. During the Civil War, the building served as a hospital for Union and Confederate soldiers. In 1962 it was the scene of a major event in the Civil Rights Movement. After a night-long riot, the University's first African-American student, James Meredith, enrolled in the Lyceum. An extensive renovation was completed in 2001.

Erected 2002 by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 34° 21.91′ N, 89° 32.152′ W. Marker is in University, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. It is at the intersection of University Circle and Library Lane, on the right when traveling south on University Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: University Circle, Oxford MS 38677, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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: Civil Rights Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); University of Mississippi (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Chapel (about 500 feet away); Lyceum — The Circle Historic District (about 500 feet away); To Our Confederate Dead (about 500 feet away); University Park/Old Swayze Field (about 500 feet away); Ventress Hall (about 600 feet away); David Gaffney Sansing, Sr. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University.

More about this marker. The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) adjoins the City of Oxford.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Lyceum & the Circle Historic District. (Submitted on April 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Lyceum building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2017

2. The Lyceum building

The Lyceum building & the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2017

3. The Lyceum building & the marker.

The Lyceum noted as a National Historic Landmark in 2008. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2017

4. The Lyceum noted as a National Historic Landmark in 2008.

Status conferred based on significance of the James Meredith enrollment at the University.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 689 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.