The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum is a fascinating insight into the beginnings of bottled Coca-Cola and how the bottling process shaped the drink into the famous brand we know today. Situated in the original building where the soda was first bottled, the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum is presented by the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation. Joe Biedenharn and his father Herman had the building constructed in the 1800s. The Biedenharn family donated the building to the foundation in the second half of the 20th century.
In 1866, Dr. John S. Pemberton developed the famous cola syrup in his pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his business partner, Asa Candler, began distributing the syrup to shop owners with soda fountains across the south. Discover the next part of the Coca-Cola story as you explore the museum’s exhibits. Learn about Joe Biedenharn and his wholesale candy company, the Biedenharn Candy Company. Biedenharn was bottling soda water and selling Coca-Cola through his soda fountain when the idea struck to combine the two and serve a growing national market for the drink.
Interpret the intriguing heritage behind Coca-Cola through exhibits of photographs and artifacts. Learn about the history of the Biedenharn family and find out about their processes for bottling Coke. See a reproduction of the original bottling equipment and check out advertising and memorabilia from throughout the years. Staff are available to guide you through some of the exhibits and answer your questions.
Don’t miss stopping by the beautifully restored candy shop, where you can see authentic shop fittings from the 1890s displaying delicious sweet treats. Enjoy a scoop of ice cream or a traditional Coke float. You can also pick up Coca-Cola souvenirs at the museum’s gift shop.
The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum is located in downtown Vicksburg and is open daily, apart from New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission to the museum is inexpensive and, as the museum is compact, a visit should take less than an hour. While in downtown Vicksburg go to other attractions, including the pretty riverfront, the Old Court House Museum and the Vicksburg Convention Center.
