Did you know? Brookhaven is proudly home of the Mississippi School of the Arts, which opened in August 2003! This school is an upper high school of literary, visual, and performing arts on the historic Whitworth College Campus.

Before the beautiful buildings on campus became the Mississippi School of the Arts, they had quite a history. When they were first built, they were the home of Whitworth College – a four-year, all-female college from 1858 until 1928.

Pictured above is the Mary Jane Lampton Auditorium! It was built in 1913 on Whitworth College Campus. After years of neglect and slow deterioration it was restored to its former condition and opened to the public in 1999. After that, the school became a liberal arts junior college within the Millsaps College system, but the campus was eventually abandoned in the late 80s.

Brookhaven eventually donated the campus, including the Mary Jane Lampton Auditorium, to the state. The state in turn brought it back into commerce offering advanced programs of study in visual arts, vocal music, theatre, dance, and literary arts for “artistically gifted” 11th and 12th grade students from throughout the state. The site has 6 buildings designated as Mississippi Landmarks, and the campus is also notable as being on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places! We’re so glad this campus is now the Mississippi School of the Arts.

You can find plenty more architectural treasures all throughout Brookhaven! We hope you’ll come experience them for yourself.

Next time you’re in town, this gorgeous campus is worth a stop!