The University of Mississippi or Ole Miss, as it’s often referred to, is known for a great many things – but being likened to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from Harry Potter?! Not so much. However, the college – more specifically, one of its buildings – has much more in common with the fantastical school from the film than many realize. This university is like having a Hogwarts in Mississippi.

Serving as the primary setting for several books in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Hogwarts is a boarding school for witches and wizards.
Karen Roe/Wikimedia
It’s not just the school’s curriculum that’s magical, though. The school itself, which is housed in a sprawling castle, is undeniably magical.
Turns out, Hogwarts isn’t the only learning institution with a magical vibe. Ventress Hall at Ole Miss also boasts a castle-like appearance.
olemiss.edu
Boasting history and beauty, the Victorian-style building was constructed in 1889 at a cost of $35,000.
olemiss.edu

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It initially served as the University library and then housed the School of Law from 1911 to 1929.
olemiss.edu
With beautiful touches, like turrets and Tiffany stained glass windows, Ventress Hall is a true architectural gem.
Miller Civil War Tours/Facebook
The Tiffany Glass Company created the windows specifically for Ole Miss around 1890.
olemiss.edu
Not just beautiful, the stained glass windows honor the University Greys, a Civil War company made up mainly of Ole Miss students. The company suffered 100% casualties, meaning all of the men were killed, wounded, or captured.
In 1993, Ventress Hall underwent an extensive $1 million renovation to restore it to its original Victorian splendor. Not everything was renovated, though.
The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss/Facebook
The interior walls of the building’s turret, which are covered in "student graffiti" from the early 1900s, were left alone.

Learn all about the history of Ole Miss:

For current information, give Ventress Hall a call at (662) 915-7177 or send an email to ventress@olemiss.edu. You can also visit the Ole Miss website. Have you ever visited this Hogwarts in Mississippi? Let us know about your experience in the comments.

Want to see Ventress Hall for yourself? Book a trip to Oxford, MS, and take a guided tour with Miller Civil War Tours. The company offers Civil War-focused tours of Ole Miss as well as Oxford, Holly Springs, and the Shiloh Battlefield.

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Intriguing Attractions In Mississippi

William Suphan | September 22, 2023

What are the most unique attractions in Mississippi?

The most unique attractions in Mississippi include:

  • Vicksburg National Cemetery. This is the largest cemetery for Union soldiers of the Civil War in the country.
  • Home of William Faulkner. This was the home of an author who wrote stories set in a fictional version of Lafayette County.
  • Birthplace of Elvis Presley. There was only one King of Rock and one birthplace for him, and that place was in Tupelo.
  • The Mississippi Blues Trail. This trail of locations tells the history of blues music and how it grew at places like the WROX radio station.

Find out more about the most unique attractions in Mississippi. 

What are some amazing hidden gem attractions in Mississippi?

Some amazing hidden gem attractions in Mississippi include:

  • Jim Henson Museum. Jim Henson was beloved for Kermit the Frog and the other Muppets and this museum celebrates Kermit and all the rest.
  • NASA Bus Tour. Take a tour through restricted areas of the Stennis Space Center and learn about how they do things at NASA.
  • Biedenharn Coca Cola Museum. This popular carbonated drink is bottled in Mississippi and this museum exhibits memorabilia that is over 100 years old.
  • Grammy Museum. This is one of two Grammy museums in America and is full of wonderful musical history.

Learn more about these and other amazing hidden gem attractions in Mississippi. 

What are the weirdest places to visit in Mississippi?

The weirdest places to visit in Mississippi include:

  • King’s Tavern. Located in Natchez, this is the city’s oldest building and is purported to be haunted by the spirit of a mummified body that was found there in the 1930s.
  • Kuhn Memorial State Hospital. This is a hotbed of supposed paranormal activity that brings paranormal investigators from all over.
  • Red Water Artesian Well. While the state has many similar wells, this one has red water that is completely safe to drink.
  • Frog Art Farm. This collection of frog sculptures in Fayette was created by Louise Cadney Coleman and is an odd and charming exhibit.

Find out more about the weirdest places to visit in Mississippi. 

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