Jackson, MS

Medgar Evers Home & Museum
DESCRIPTION: From a Civil Rights Movement perspective, this is Holy Ground; the small house where Medgar and Myrlie lived and site of Medgar's assassination, and similar neighboring houses echo a strong, but simple call for freedom and opportunity that drove the Civil Rights Movement; Medgar was shot in front of his home on June 12, 1963 because he inspired African-Americans to break the bonds of Jim Crow and hold power over their own lives; because this landmark houses the relics of a significant civil rights leader's life and assassination site, it provides a concrete experience that may bridge the gap between reading about history and understanding it; as a museum it also informs those who visit of the many sacrifices that took place in Jackson and Mississippi; tour by appt; the building is in a residential neighborhood and is not clearly marked with a sign at the front entrance

ADDRESS: 2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive  MAP

PHONE: 601-981-2965

Jackson State University
DESCRIPTION: Established in Natchez, Mississippi in 1877 to train people newly freed from slavery, the institution was relocated to Jackson in 1882 where it occupies a scenic 131-acre tract only minutes from downtown; formerly a private college, it was transferred to state control in 1940; the state's only urban institution of higher learning, Jackson State has many excellent academic programs

ADDRESS: 1400 John R. Lynch Street  MAP

PHONE: 601-962-2272

WEBSITE: http://www.jsums.edu

H.T. Sampson Library
DESCRIPTION: The library houses portraits, rare book collections and African artifacts; recently completed 1st phase of a $12 million renovation project has produced a library for which all of Mississippi can be proud

ADDRESS: 1700 John R. Lynch Street  MAP

PHONE: 601-968-2272

WEBSITE: http://www.jsums.edu

Margaret Walker Alexander National African American Research Center
DESCRIPTION: Based on her 50-year career as a published writer, Dr. Alexander received the National Education Association Senior Fellowship Award for Lifetime Achievement and Contributions to American Literature in 1991; two of her books Jubilee and My People received national acclaim; the city renamed the street of her residence in her honor and public library; in 30 years at Jackson State she served as director of the Institute for the Study of History, Life and Culture of Black People (recently renamed the Margaret Walker Alexander National African American Research Center); the center addresses life in the Civil Rights Movement era, African American migration, Head Start Programs, health care, business, rural life, home ownership, churches, night life, the legal profession, military life, and music - blues, jazz, gospel, spiritual and classics

ADDRESS: Jackson State University  MAP

PHONE: 601-968-2055

WEBSITE: http://www.jsums.edu/maw.htm

Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center
In the heart of historic Black community, Smith Robertson is a comprehensive depository of artifacts portraying the Black Mississippian experience in the fields of history, art, music, and literature, the museum was formerly Smith Robertson Elementary School, the first pubic school for African American children in Jackson; Field to Factory exhibitions features photographs and artifacts depicting the northern migration of Blacks and serves as a nice beginning point for the Northern Migration Statue in Chicago; Those Who Stayed exhibition depicts the lifestyles of Blacks who remained in Mississippi; separately managed gift shop inside; large group reservations encouraged

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p, Sat 9a-Noon, Sun 2p-5p

ADDRESS: 528 Bloom Street  MAP

PHONE: 601-960-1457

WEBSITE: http://www.city.jackson.ms.us/CityHall/robertson.htm

Medgar Evers Statue at Medgar Evers Library
DESCRIPTION: A life-sized bronze statue of Evers was erected in the front of this city library in Evers former neighborhood by local citizens; on the front line of the civil rights movement, in 1954 Evers was the first Field Secretary for the NAACP in Jackson and the first paid NAACP staff in the state; Evers and state NAACP president, Aaron Henry, built the Civil Rights Movement from the ground up in Mississippi; today Evers is remembered as an important symbol for all freedom-loving people around the world

ADDRESS: 4215 Medgar Evers Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 601-982-2867

WEBSITE: http://www.jhlibrary.com

International Museum of Muslim Cultures
DESCRIPTION: Insightfully examines how in 711 AD, a Muslim Berber army crossed from Morocco over the Straits of Gibraltar to defeat Spain and how Europe’s Renaissance can be traced back to Islamic Moorish Spain; you will also better understand the Moors’ culture of tolerance and intellectual advancement; wheelchair Accessible

ADMISSION: Adult $7, Seniors, Children and Disabled $4, Children $3

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-8p

ADDRESS: 117 East Pascagoula Street  MAP

PHONE: 601-960-0440

WEBSITE: http://www.muslimmuseum.org

Tougaloo College

DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1869 by the American Missionary Association to provide teacher education and industrial training for African Americans on a former plantation; nine historic buildings on the campus date from the mid-19th through the early 20th centuries; the library features over 1,000 paintings, sculptures and carvings in one of the most extensive Afrocentric art collections in the South

ADDRESS: 500 West County Line Road  MAP

PHONE: 601-977-7842

WEBSITE: http://www.tougaloo.edu

Malaco Records
DESCRIPTION: Though small relative to the big NYC and LA record labels, Malaco has quietly become one of the most important Blues, R&B and Gospel record companies; it’s the recording home to Bobby Blue Bland, Johnnie Taylor and the Jackson Southernaires to name just a few; visit their website for samples of their greatest hits

ADDRESS: 3023 West Northside Drive  MAP

PHONE: 601-982-4522

WEBSITE: http://www.malaco.com