NATCHEZ — A small museum that preserves artifacts from one of the first black-owned businesses in Wilkinson County will host its second-annual celebration Saturday.

The Arbuthnot Grocery Store Museum on Pinckneyville Road, 10 miles west of Woodville, will celebrate with food, entertainment, speakers and tours of the museum, owner Jacqueline Arbuthnot said.

Saturday’s event begins at 2 p.m. and will go into the evening.

Speakers will include District 96 Rep. Angela Cockerham and Karran Harper Royal, host of the New Orleans television show “Nurturing our Roots.”

Arbuthnot said she is excited about this year’s celebration.

“Singer G.C. Cameron and local musicians Y.Z. Ealey and his brother Theodis will provide the entertainment,” Arbuthnot said. “Theodis and Y.Z. will donate a guitar from their late brother Melwyn.”

Cameron is also expected to make a donation to the museum, Arbuthnot said.

Arbuthnot’s grandparents Willie and Estelle opened the small grocery in the summer of 1955. The only gas station within 10 miles, the store was a pit stop for those on their way to work at the Louisiana State Penitentiary and other businesses.

The store became a gathering place for patrons who came to shop, visit and play songs on the jukebox or play a game of pool.

The Arbuthnots were also active in the community, helping build the black public school and becoming involved in local civil rights efforts.

The store closed in 1998 and fell into the hands of Jaqueline Arbuthnot, who Willie and Estelle adopted as their daughter.

Jacqueline Arbuthnot lives in Georgia, but has continued to work to restore the small museum and got the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2016.

Arbuthnot said she continues to accept donations to the museum, including artifacts, memorabilia or monetary gifts.

“It is just a dream to be able to continue the legacy of Willie and Estelle,” Arbuthnot said.

Arbuthnot says said is still applying for grants to be able to restore not only the grocery store, but also the Arbuthnot house that is on the property.

“ I am looking forward to continue to preserve and educate people about the area, about the community and the museum,” Jaqueline Arbuthnot said.

The address of the Arbuthnot Grocery museum is 8990 Pinckneyville Road.