Two Mississippi Museums: A Journey Through History and Civil Rights

The Two Mississippi Museums, comprising the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, opened in 2017 to commemorate Mississippi's bicentennial. These interconnected museums offer visitors a sweeping journey through the state's history and its significant role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.The Museum of Mississippi History presents over 15,000 years of the state's past, from prehistoric times to the present day. Through eight galleries, the museum explores the diverse people who have contributed to Mississippi's story, including Native Americans, European settlers, and enslaved Africans. Exhibits cover the rise of slavery and cotton, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the social changes of the 20th century.The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum chronicles the events of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. Eight galleries highlight the struggle for racial equality, featuring exhibits on slavery, the Jim Crow era, and the activists who fought for change. Visitors will encounter mug shots of Freedom Riders, stories of civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer and Medgar Evers, and a moving memorial to victims of lynching. The museum's centerpiece is a gallery with a light sculpture that plays "This Little Light of Mine," honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the Movement.The museums share a lobby, auditorium, classrooms, and other facilities. Together, they offer a powerful and comprehensive look at Mississippi's past, encouraging visitors to reflect on the state's history and its continuing impact on the nation.