Marty Stuart Museum Nears Completion - The Meridian Star

A two-year project to renovate the old Coca-Cola plant in Philadelphia, Mississippi for a music museum is near completion.

Philadelphia native and music icon Marty Stuart is spearheading the project to renovate the property for the museum, which is expected to be completed in about three weeks.

Stuart's country music collection will be on display in the historic building on Center Avenue, according to city of Philadelphia Community Development Partnership President David Vowell.

"What we are doing now is working to renovate the old Coca-Cola building," Vowell said. "We got a $1.5 million grant from the state Legislature to renovate the building." "We are trying to make it secure as far as fire alarms and are working to get the cooling and heating installed."

Vowell said the next step will be to discuss the movement of the collection with Stuart.

"We have talked to Marty and he is excited about getting the museum in Philadelphia and is looking forward to having the collection in his hometown," he said.

By Cheryl Owens