They’re coming from all over.

Visitors from over 20 foreign countries and from every state in the U.S. have toured Indianola’s new B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center since its opening in mid-September.

“We’ve had about 10,000 visitors, and those signing our guest registry have written comments of praise about the museum,” said BBKM Executive Director Connie Gibbons.

A look at the books in the lobby reveals the the museum in the past

12 weeks has attracted tourists from Belgium, France, Italy, Laos, Spain, Canada, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, Scotland, Austria, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Sweden, Cuba, Morocco and Russia.

Although Mississippians from every corner of the state are coming to Indianola’s new attraction, other states are well represented in the attendance.

Even including Alaska and Hawaii.

From California, museum guests signing the register include the following hometowns: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, Pasadena, Laguna Niguel, Santa Rosa, Palm Desert, Glendale, Sausalito, Redlands, Mission Viejo, San Luis Obispo, Costa Mesa, Manhattan Beach, Palmdale, Hesperia, Nevada City, Healdsburg, Fallbrook, Vallejo, Victorville, Tujunga, +Summerland and Buford.

In the fall, almost 100 alumni from the Ivy League’s Cornell University arrived at Indianola’s new museum in three large tour buses. Many left the exhibit area expressing their appreciation for and their amazement at the Smithsonian-like quality of the exhibits.

“Outstanding!” was the comment from the President of Cornell, David Skorton, who was in the group. “Impressive,” said Peter Meinig, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Canadians Angus and Kathleen Reid of Mississauga, Ontario, came to Indianola as part of a five-day all-expenses-paid trip they won at a blues fest in Canada. In their native Scottish accents, they said, “This B.B. King Museum is fantastic, wonderful, brilliant.” Angus who plays the guitar, said, “It is touching, and we loved the history aspect of it all.”

Kelly and Thomas DeVogt of Surry Hills, Australia, had visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum a few days before they drove over to Indianola. “This is equally emotional,” said Thomas who has a radio show in Sydney. “The way B.B. King’s life is presented gives incredible context to it all. A fantastic tribute to a living legend.

We’re so pleased we came here. We’ll spread the word back home.”

Tom Teepen of Atlanta, the former editorial page editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and his wife, Sandy, were told by a bartender in Vicksburg that they should visit the new museum in Indianola. “We had heard good things, but this is far better than we imagined,” said Tom who was especially impressed with the civil rights history which is included in storyline of B.B. King’s 83-years of life. “It’s a terrific piece of work. Congratulations to this city.”

Fannie Draine of Leland and her sister Margarete Henson Berrios of Stafford, Virginia, both daughters of Luther Henson who was young Riley King’s teacher and early mentor, enjoyed their visit to the museum recently. “ This was a wonderful experience for us to share the memories that the museum brings out as you go through it,” said Berrios. “It’s excellent, and I’m glad I brought my son, Curtis, to see and hear it all.”

Chris Cunningham of New Orleans, formerly of London, exited the exhibits with this observation: “It’s just about the best blues museum I’ve ever seen. It’s informative and emotional, and I had a very interesting and educational time being here”

When Andrew Lack of New York dropped in the Indianola museum, he wrote “Fantastic! Best of the Best!” in the guest register book. Lack is the CEO of Multi-Media for Bloomberg News and is immediate former CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, and before that was president of NBC News and NBC.

“Outstanding job. Needs to be shared with every generation,” wrote John Owen of SuperValu in Chicago after his Dec. 4 visit.

“So good it made me cry,” wrote Patrice Hardy of Hazelhurst.

“There are no words good enough,” wrote Ed and Kitty Kossman of Cleveland.

“A King of a museum,” wrote Ruud Monde of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

“He was my No. 1 influence for playing the blues at 13 years old. I just wanted to be like him,” wrote Mitch Reed of Hesperia, Calif.

“Absolutely wonderful,” wrote Betty and Barthell Joseph of Greenville.

“By far the most impressive museum in the South,” wrote Bailey Cartwright of Columbus.

“Wish we could spend another day. So much great information. Loved it!” wrote Allan Robechaux and Kathy Huffman of Big Lake, Alaska, and Jeanie Berres of Wasilla.

“Really loved it. Aloha!” wrote Paul Vasquez of Waipahu, Hawaii.

Absolutely wonderful! Worth the traveling!” wrote Clare and Anthony Potts of Suffolk, England.

“A must see for young people.” Wrote Norma Olive of Chicago.

The Foote family of Larkspur, Colorado, wrote: “We will spread the word.”

Jim Abbott
Enterprise-Tocsin