- 114 Chautauqua Drive
- Crystal Springs MS 39059
As you are driving south on I-55, approximately thirty miles south of Jackson, Mississippi, nearing the Crystal Springs Exit 72, a sign on the side of the highway boasts of having a tomato museum in town. Your curiosity may stir as you wonder how the city of Crystal Springs got its name, and you may be wondering why a tomato museum is located there. The town was named after a nearby bubbling spring. The Tomato Museum is located in the Chautauqua Recreational Park and has a 35-acre lake.
The Illinois Central Railroad passed through the town at the height of the tomato industry’s heyday or tomato-day in Crystal Springs, and the city became known as “The Tomatopolis of the World.” That claim to fame ended after World War II.
The Tomato Museum celebrates the history of the tomato in Mississippi. The tomatoes from Crystal Springs were packaged with names such as Crystal’s Pride, Blue Flag, Magnolia, Red Robin, and Mrs. Sippy. You will find historic documents, tomato farming implements, machinery, photos, and tomato festival memorabilia in the museum. From what this writer has determined, the museum is not structured and curated the way most museums are labeled, identifying its artifacts, and educating the public. But all is not lost when going on an adventure to this museum because it is located inside the beautiful Chautauqua Park, once a religious retreat site for the Brookhaven District of the United Methodist Churches. The park is situated on over 70+ acres with loads of recreation possibilities. There are bridges, trails, and gazebos. You will find a visitors’ center as you enter the park, which is where you will find the museum.
Don’t miss the chance to attend the annual Tomato Festival, a vibrant community event that’s a great reason to take Exit 72. The festival, held on the last weekend of June, features parades, live bands, and a mouthwatering array of tomato-based dishes. It’s the perfect opportunity to engage with the locals and join in the lively debate on whether the tomato is a fruit or vegetable.