NATCHEZ — Mississippi’s first constitution will return to its birthplace at Historic Jefferson College this weekend for an event commemorating the state’s 2017 bicentennial.

Along with the constitution — drafted on the grounds of the historic property in 1817 — a rare 20-star flag that flew after Mississippi became a state will also be on display at the Icons of Statehood event.

The two pieces of history connected to the founding of Mississippi are traveling the state, making their first stop at the “birthplace of Mississippi,” HJC Branch Director Robin Person said.

“The constitution was drafted here on our grounds,” she said. “We know that exact spot where it actually happened. Having the flag here, there are very few of them left in the world. It’s a big deal.”

On March 1, 1817, President James Madison signed legislation enabling inhabitants of the western portion of the Mississippi Territory to form a constitution and state government, while the eastern part would become a new territory. Forty-eight convention delegates assembled in Washington on July 7, drafting the constitution and, after weeks of deliberation, adopting the document on Aug. 15.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History acquired the rare 20-star flag in 2001 after having been discovered in an antiques shop in Massachusetts. An extensive conservation was recently completed on the large banner, funded by a grant from the Billups-Garth Foundation in Columbus and private donations. The flag has been mounted inside a frame to protect it and allow it to be displayed upright.

“There were only two United States flags used before this one,” MDAH Director of Collections Cindy Gardner said. “The first had 13 stars and stripes to represent the original colonies and flew from 1777 until 1795. The second flag added two stars and two stripes and flew until ours became the official United States Flag on April 13, 1818.”

The flag and constitution will be in Prospere Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

A program beginning at 1 p.m. will feature remarks from Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, and a presentation on the artifacts by staff of the MDAH. The first governor of the state, David Holmes, will be portrayed by living historian Don Vesterse, and staff will offer children’s activities throughout the day, as well as a 200th-birthday cake.

The flag and constitution will again be on display from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, during which time visitors can see living history portrayals of Gov. Holmes by Vesterse and participate in children’s activities. At 2 p.m., MDAH staff will give their presentation on the history of the two artifacts, and refreshments will be available from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Historic Jefferson College is partnering with the Annandale Chapter, William Dunbar Chapter, James Foster Chapter, and Natchez Chapter, Mississippi State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution for the event.

For more information on the exhibit or programs, contact Historic Jefferson College at 601-442-2901 or email info@historicjeffersoncollege.com.

Following the stop at Historic Jefferson College, the exhibit will travel the state making stops at:

• Pascagoula — Jan. 23-24
• Columbia — Feb. 3-4
• Greenwood — Feb. 8-9
• Biloxi — March 3-4
• Amory — March 29-30
• Winona — April 19-20

The 20-star flag will be on display in the Museum of Mississippi History opening on Dec. 9, 2017, in downtown Jackson.