Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Explore Mississippi’s iconic college towns, where universities anchor communities shaped by legendary writers, musicians, chefs, artists, and Civil Rights leaders, including Oxford, Starkville and Jackson. This is a preview for the half hour episode of "Travels with Darley: Mississippi College Towns" on your local PBS TV station and coming here to YouTube and streaming.
What you'll discover in this episode: The journey begins in Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss. Darley visits Rowan Oak, the former home of William Faulkner, where Rachel Hudson shares insight into the author’s life and work. Downtown Oxford centers around The Square, where Darley explores Faulkner Alley, historic The Lyric Oxford, and The End of All Music with music expert David Swider. Darley also dines on a smash burger at Good Day Café with owner Joe Stinchcomb, checks out James Beard–nominated Saint Leo, and heads just outside town for a live taping of the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, where Lucy Gaines explains its deep roots in Oxford. Back on campus, Ole Miss student Julia Case leads Darley through Sorority Row and the iconic Grove.
Next, Darley travels to Starkville, Mississippi, home of Mississippi State University. On campus, Dr. Anne Marshall introduces Darley to the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library. Darley also visits the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, where Dr. Susannah Ural shares rare documents and artifacts, including one of the earliest known examples of Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting. Off campus, Robert Camp gives Darley a tour of the Cotton District, known for its unique architecture, restaurants, and lively atmosphere.
The journey continues in Jackson, Mississippi, a city filled with colleges and universities including Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Belhaven University, and Millsaps College. Darley follows the Mississippi Blues Trail to brunch at The Iron Horse Grill, explores the Mississippi Music Experience, and stops by the legendary Hal & Mal’s. To balance out the food and music, Timothy Orey of the Jackson Run Club takes Darley onto the Museum Trail, a multi-use path connecting neighborhoods and campuses like Belhaven University, founded in 1883.
In Jackson’s historic Fondren neighborhood, Darley visits longtime local favorites Campbell’s Bakery and Brent’s Drugs. Downtown, Darley explores the Two Mississippi Museums, home to the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. There, docent Hezekiah Watkins shares his personal Civil Rights story, while Dr. Jessie Sherrod reflects on growing up in the Mississippi Delta and her family’s legacy of activism, including student-led sit-ins connected to Tougaloo College.
For a soulful meal steeped in Civil Rights history and Mississippi family recipes, Darley visits Chef Nick Wallace at The Hen & Egg, housed in the former Sun-n-Sand Motel. The journey wraps up at Cathead Distillery, where Maeve Bradley introduces Darley to Mississippi spirits and the story behind the state’s first legal distillery since Prohibition.
From Oxford to Starkville to Jackson, Mississippi College Towns shows how education, culture, food, music, and history come together in communities that continue to inspire students, locals, and travelers.
Watch for this episode on your local PBS TV station coming up!
Subscribe to our YouTube for more travel and history adventures darley.link/youtube
🌍 Follow Darley for Expert Travel Tips & Inspiration:
Instagram: / darleynewman
Facebook: / travelswithdarley
TikTok: / darleynewman
Twitter (X): https://x.com/DarleyNewman
Explore Mississippi’s iconic college towns, where universities anchor communities shaped by legendary writers, musicians, chefs, artists, and Civil Rights leaders, including Oxford, Starkville and Jackson. This is a preview for the half hour episode of "Travels with Darley: Mississippi College Towns" on your local PBS TV station and coming here to YouTube and streaming.
What you'll discover in this episode: The journey begins in Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss. Darley visits Rowan Oak, the former home of William Faulkner, where Rachel Hudson shares insight into the author’s life and work. Downtown Oxford centers around The Square, where Darley explores Faulkner Alley, historic The Lyric Oxford, and The End of All Music with music expert David Swider. Darley also dines on a smash burger at Good Day Café with owner Joe Stinchcomb, checks out James Beard–nominated Saint Leo, and heads just outside town for a live taping of the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, where Lucy Gaines explains its deep roots in Oxford. Back on campus, Ole Miss student Julia Case leads Darley through Sorority Row and the iconic Grove.
Next, Darley travels to Starkville, Mississippi, home of Mississippi State University. On campus, Dr. Anne Marshall introduces Darley to the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library. Darley also visits the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, where Dr. Susannah Ural shares rare documents and artifacts, including one of the earliest known examples of Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting. Off campus, Robert Camp gives Darley a tour of the Cotton District, known for its unique architecture, restaurants, and lively atmosphere.
The journey continues in Jackson, Mississippi, a city filled with colleges and universities including Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Belhaven University, and Millsaps College. Darley follows the Mississippi Blues Trail to brunch at The Iron Horse Grill, explores the Mississippi Music Experience, and stops by the legendary Hal & Mal’s. To balance out the food and music, Timothy Orey of the Jackson Run Club takes Darley onto the Museum Trail, a multi-use path connecting neighborhoods and campuses like Belhaven University, founded in 1883.
In Jackson’s historic Fondren neighborhood, Darley visits longtime local favorites Campbell’s Bakery and Brent’s Drugs. Downtown, Darley explores the Two Mississippi Museums, home to the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. There, docent Hezekiah Watkins shares his personal Civil Rights story, while Dr. Jessie Sherrod reflects on growing up in the Mississippi Delta and her family’s legacy of activism, including student-led sit-ins connected to Tougaloo College.
For a soulful meal steeped in Civil Rights history and Mississippi family recipes, Darley visits Chef Nick Wallace at The Hen & Egg, housed in the former Sun-n-Sand Motel. The journey wraps up at Cathead Distillery, where Maeve Bradley introduces Darley to Mississippi spirits and the story behind the state’s first legal distillery since Prohibition.
From Oxford to Starkville to Jackson, Mississippi College Towns shows how education, culture, food, music, and history come together in communities that continue to inspire students, locals, and travelers.
Watch for this episode on your local PBS TV station coming up!
Subscribe to our YouTube for more travel and history adventures darley.link/youtube
🌍 Follow Darley for Expert Travel Tips & Inspiration:
Instagram: / darleynewman
Facebook: / travelswithdarley
TikTok: / darleynewman
Twitter (X): https://x.com/DarleyNewman
