A neglected alley in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has been transformed into an unusual attraction filled with miniature artworks, a tiny movie theatre, colourful murals and a motion-activated dance spot. Known as the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum , the space offers visitors a closer look at small-scale creations displayed along an alley behind the Saenger Theater.




A small creative project aimed at bringing life to an overlooked part of the city has grown into a popular local attraction. The Hattiesburg Convention Commission estimates more than 300,000 people have visited since 2020, as reported by The Associated Press. The attraction was created by Vicki and Rick Taylor, who turned the narrow passage into a place where art, miniature installations and unexpected details share space.






How a small window display grew into a miniature art museum


The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum began as a small window display facing an alley behind the city's Saenger Theater. Vicki Taylor and her husband, Rick, opened it in 2020, during the COVID-19 shutdown. Their aim was to bring joy and more activity to downtown Hattiesburg at a time when businesses and public spaces were affected by the pandemic.




The display grew into a collection of miniature scenes, with figurines positioned around electrical boxes, drainage pipes, and narrow corners. Some are easy to spot, while others are tucked into places that encourage visitors to look closely. The alley, once grey and smelly, gradually became a community hub and a destination for visitors.











A tiny gallery, movie theatre and murals make the museum unique


The museum's displays extend beyond the original window. Visitors can find a tiny art gallery and a movie theatre, alongside colourful murals painted along the alley. Other features include a keychain and DVD exchange, as well as a rainbow bridge where people can leave collars belonging to pets that have died.




A motion-activated dance spot adds another unexpected feature as it plays music and switches on disco lighting when someone approaches. Miniature figures are placed throughout the passage, including scenes of characters peering over electrical boxes and travelling down painted drainage pipes. The displays are often colourful and sometimes hidden, making careful observation part of the visit.






How the museum is creating opportunities for local artists


Vicki Taylor creates many of the miniature scenes in a cramped back room of the theatre. The Associated Press reported that she glues together tiny figurines and continues to curate exhibits that change over time. Taylor initially thought the attraction might lose momentum after the pandemic, but it continued to draw visitors.




Her husband, Rick, is the executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, the organisation that runs both the museum and the theatre. The project has also given local artists a place to show their work. Gabby Smith, who painted several murals in the alley, said the experience helped build her confidence as she moved towards pursuing art as a full-time career.






What makes Hattiesburg's miniature museum a popular visitor attraction


The Hattiesburg Convention Commission estimates that more than 300,000 people have visited the museum since it opened. Visit Hattiesburg CEO Marlo Dorsey linked the wider growth to efforts by city leaders to promote local culture, recreational activities and the arts.




One initiative aims to paint 100 murals across the city. Dorsey also pointed to the Pocket Museum and the nearby Lucky Rabbit, a large vintage store known for its creative displays, as attractions that bring visitors to the area.