The Old Courthouse Museum in downtown Vicksburg has a new director and curator, Jordan Rushing. Rushing has worked at the museum for the past 13 years. His most recently held position was assistant director and curator.

Rushing began working at the museum greeting people at the door and helping to run the gift shop.

“Over time, that just developed into an immense passion for what this building represents and the history housed in here,” he said.

Rushing is a Mississippi State University graduate with degrees in American history, business, and psychology. He spoke about the duties associated with the new position.

“We take care of designing displays, making sure that things that are donated to the museum are put out and seen by the public, as well as the interpretation of what those artifacts represent here and the history that they carry,” he said.

Among the museum’s collection are thousands of primary sources dating from the late 1700s to the present day.

“This building has been a museum for 76 years, and it houses so many stories of the local community. Just a wonderful collection of artifacts,” Rushing said. “It’s just an amazing resource for the entire community of Vicksburg and Warren County. I’m so grateful that I was chosen as the one that gets to see it into its next phase.”

Rushing’s new position took effect on Oct. 1. The previous director and curator, George “Bubba” Bolm, retired after 19 years of working at the museum.

“Bubba has been an incredible inspiration of mine. (I’ve been) working with him for most of my adult life now, for 13 years,” Rushing said. “I think in a lot of ways, he shaped the person I am today.”

Rushing said he is grateful for Bolm’s leadership and encouragement.

“I could not have asked for a better mentor and a better boss. He always encouraged me to just get my hands dirty here anytime that I was curious about anything, to just go and search the records, get my hands on the artifacts,” he said. “And I think, in a lot of ways, it’s what helped me develop my passion for this museum. (They are) incredibly hard shoes to fill, though.”

The Old Courthouse Museum is located at 1008 Cherry St. in Vicksburg and is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.