Round Island Lighthouse Maritime Museum hosts ribbon cutting in Pascagoula

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WXXV)- A Pascagoula landmark now features a new museum that will give visitors a deeper look into its history.

City officials hosted a ribbon cutting for the Round Island Lighthouse Maritime Museum on Thursday morning. The small red building — located just to the west of the iconic lighthouse — features photographs of the landmark’s revolution, replicas of old ships and even fossils from local wildlife for all to view… plus much more!

It also has the distinction of being the smallest maritime museum in the world.

The new addition joins the nearly 170-year-old Round Island Lighthouse, which has been open to the public for nearly a decade following the relocation and restoration of its hurricane-damaged remnants.

Pascagoula mayor Jay Willis shared his hopes that locals and tourists alike have the chance to stop by and learn something new about the flagship city.

“This is a real opportunity for Pascagoula residents and for visitors to our area to learn more about the history of Pascagoula,” Willis said. “The lighthouse sitting on Round Island — before it was moved here after Katrina — has such amazing stories and amazing history, and all of those things are going to be shared at the smallest maritime museum in the world, right here in Pascagoula. We’re hoping everyone will come out, stop by, make a visit and see exactly what Pascagoula’s history is all about.”

The Round Island Lighthouse Maritime Museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.