Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens is an exciting place with many activities including guided tours, special exhibits, children’s programs, concerts and more. It has something for everyone to enjoy including a historic home, formal garden, Bible Museum and Coke Museum. Guest will enjoy the beauty of rare furniture and antiques featured throughout the home, including crystal chandeliers, high tester beds and artisitic accessories celebrating Emy-Lou's European singing career. In the furnishings and accents, one will see her love of music, nature and family. In 1894, Joseph A. Biedenharn, a country businessman in Vicksburg, Mississippi and owner of the Biedenharn Candy Company, made a world changing decision. In order for his customers outside downtown Vicksburg to have Coca-Cola, he had his brother Herman put Coca-Cola in a bottle making the Biedenharn Candy Company the first to ever bottle Coca-Cola. Today, Coca-Cola is sold in more than 200 countries. Under Joe's leadership, his brothers, sons, and grandsons, established plants in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas eventually becoming the ninth largest bottling corporation in the United States. Joe Biedenharn was not defined by his accomplishment of bottling Coca-Cola. Joe was also a vital part of the community of Monroe in the early 20th century.  His kind, gentle, and charismatic personality enabled him to become elected City Commissioner.  As City Commissioner, Joe paved the first streets in Monroe and helped transform Forsythe Park from a fairground to the park we see today.