Grant funding supports major upgrades at Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center
Mississippi University for Women’s Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center is expanding accessibility and improving the visitor experience through facility and trail renovations made possible by recent local and state grant funding.
“We are very thankful to MDOT and PACCAR for providing the funds to help improve our facility,” said Chandler Lester, director of Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center. “Our unique facility offers the perfect setting for any event — whether it’s a wedding or reception, family reunion, birthday celebration, class reunion or any other special occasion.”
PACCAR Inc awarded the center $110,000 in spring 2025 leading to a complete roof and gutter replacement of the Harry Sherman Conference Center. The 11,700-square-foot facility consists of multipurpose lecture and conference rooms, an auditorium and an interpretive museum of cultural and natural history.
The center will improve a portion of the nature trails at Plymouth Bluff with a $625,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The project includes replacing the existing asphalt trail with concrete, adding ADA-accessible ramps and improving overall accessibility throughout the trail system. Interpretive signs along the paths highlight native plants and share insights into the area’s cultural and natural history.
“We’ve been hard at work making continued improvements to ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all our visitors,” Lester added. “Recent updates include tree removal near the trails and pavilion and upgraded Wi-Fi in the main center for better connectivity. We are proud of Plymouth Bluff and the professional and recreational opportunities it offers to the community.”
All projects are expected to complete by January 2026.
Located at 2200 Old West Point Road, the 190-acre educational and recreational center, owned and operated by The W, is situated above the old Tombigbee River Channel. The center’s offerings include nearly five miles of nature trails with varying terrain and levels of difficulty, 23 cabins with hotel-style amenities, a tennis court and an 11,700-square-foot conference building fully equipped to host events and retreats.
In 2024, the Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center installed a wraparound deck and renovated all cabins with new roofs, paint, flooring and structural improvements.
To inquire about booking or learn more about the bluff, please call (662) 370-1511, email crlester@muw.edu or visit the website at https://www.muw.edu/plymouthbluff/.