April 3, 2022

MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

222 North St #2205, Jackson, MS 39201

“The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is a museum in Jackson, Mississippi. Its mission is to document, exhibit the history of, and educate the public about the American Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. state of Mississippi between 1945 and 1970.” -  Wikipedia

Let me begin by saying this museum is awesome!  While it is housed in the same building as the Museum of Mississippi History, it is definitely its own museum with its own story.  After spending 2.5 hours in the history museum, I walked over to the Civil Rights Museum, not prepared for what I was going to find here. 

There are so many exhibits, artifacts, and stories thrown at you that I’m not sure I can find words to describe them.  I started diligently taking things in, but by the fifth out of eight rooms, I was spent and found myself doing little more than looking at headlines.  From the museum’s guide I know there were three videos I could have watched, but I found myself not wanting to wait the 7-9 minutes for the videos to begin.  The exhibits I did spend time perusing were well done and very impactful, which I’m sure added to my sensory overload.  I mean how can one read about the lynching of Emmett Till or the assassination of Medgar Evans and not be emotional.  I spent 1.5 hours in the museum and probably could have doubled that time to see everything the way it should be seen.    

My advice, don’t try to do both museums on the same day despite the dual discount, there is just too much to take in. If you’re worried about cost, there is no charge for either museum on Sunday. I want to return sometime and visit this important museum again.

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A beginning timeline setting the context for the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi.

A beginning timeline setting the context for the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi.

I thought this was a telling statement. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery.

I thought this was a telling statement. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery.

The Klan was very prevalent in Mississippi.

The Klan was very prevalent in Mississippi.

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I was interested in the exhibits about the struggle to get quality education to everyone.

I was interested in the exhibits about the struggle to get quality education to everyone.

Photos showing the difference between the supposedly separate but equal schools. This is only one example, there were othrs.

Photos showing the difference between the supposedly separate but equal schools. This is only one example, there were othrs.

Exhibits of the Jim Crow era. The "Never" buttons referred to desegregation.

Exhibits of the Jim Crow era. The "Never" buttons referred to desegregation.

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The Freedom Riders were arrested and sent to a prison in Jackson, MS.

The Freedom Riders were arrested and sent to a prison in Jackson, MS.

Chess set made out of soft, white bread served to the Freedom Riders at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman Farm. The red pieces are marked with blood.

Chess set made out of soft, white bread served to the Freedom Riders at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman Farm. The red pieces are marked with blood.

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The museum formed around a center rotunda honoring the civil rights activists who gave their lives for the cause. The light structure changed colors as music of the movement played.

The museum formed around a center rotunda honoring the civil rights activists who gave their lives for the cause. The light structure changed colors as music of the movement played.