Tippah County Archives Marks Archives Month in Ripley
October is Archives Month, and the Tippah County Archives in Ripley is inviting residents to stop by and dig into their family history. The Tippah County Historical & Genealogical Society marked the start of the month Thursday with a reminder that the archives are open on weekdays and a look back at the long history of the building that houses them.
The archives sit at 201 Union St. in Ripley. The society said the collection is a good place to start for anyone looking for family history, county records, wills or marriage records.
Visiting the Tippah County Archives
- Address: 201 Union St., Ripley
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Good for: Genealogy and family history, wills, marriage records and other historical records
Because the hours end in the early afternoon, visitors coming from Walnut, Falkner, Blue Mountain or out of state may want to plan their trip for the morning to leave plenty of research time.
From County Jail to Archives
The society used the occasion to share a short history of the site, along with three photos showing how it has changed.
According to the society, the property was home to the Tippah County Jail from 1896 to 1938. The builder of that first jail did not construct it to specifications, the society said, and it began to deteriorate within about 20 years. The old jail was eventually torn down and a new jail was built in its place.
That later jail building is the one that stands today. It was restored and now serves as the Tippah County Archives and Development Center. The society’s photos show the 1896 jail, the current building during its restoration, and the building as it looks now on Union Street.
Why Archives Month Matters
Archives Month is observed each October to encourage people to use and support the archives that preserve local history. For a rural county like Tippah, the local archives are often the best place to trace family roots, confirm old property and probate records, or learn more about the people and places that shaped Ripley and the surrounding communities.
The Tippah County Historical & Genealogical Society helps keep that history accessible. Those planning a visit with a specific research question may want to contact the society ahead of time through its Facebook page.
Related: Tippah County Loses Beloved Historian Tommy Covington
Source: Tippah County Historical & Genealogical Society
