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Are you looking for opportunities to learn black history in Mississippi? Many parts of the state highlight the struggles and achievements of black people. From memorable exhibits to monuments of great individuals, here are a few of the most important places to visit in Mississippi.
Bryant’s Grocery (Money)
This location is associated with Emmett Till. The 14-year-old flirted with Carolyn Bryant, a white shopkeeper, leading to his torture and ultimate murder. The shopkeeper’s half-brother and husband killed Emmett Till but were acquitted. Later, they made a confession and sold it to a magazine.
The incident was unfortunate, and it garnered national and international attention. It was one of the main factors behind the Civil Rights movement.
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
A trip to this museum will give you a good understanding of the Civil Rights movement. It helps you understand the sacrifice of Mississippians in their quest for equality.
Being the epicenter of the civil rights movement, this museum has eight interactive exhibits. You can learn about stories of the resistance and systemic oppression. Here, you can find out how they ultimately impacted the nation.
The Flood of 1927 Museum-Greenville
With a 90-minute film and a variety of exhibits, you get to learn about the biggest natural disaster in the United States during that period. On 21st April in Mounds Landing, the Mississippi swelled up and broke through. A thousand men desperately strived to raise the levee.
Water pushed through the landscape and submerged a million acres of farmland. The entire town was inundated. The flood swept away over 2000 buildings and killed 246 people. More than 10,000 black refugees were affected.
As the refugees clamored onto the levee, white landowners were afraid that if they let the refugees leave, they wouldn’t return. They sent away the empty steamboats meant to rescue the field workers.
Refugee camps were set up two months later. However, by then, the flood water was already receding.
The Live Oak Cemetery is also home to Greenville. It is the resting place of Bishop E.W. Lampton. He was Mississippi’s first African-American bishop. It is also the final resting place of Holt Collier. He was an African-American bear hunter who guided President Theodore Roosevelt on a hunt close to Onward.
Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale
From 1944 until its closure, this hotel offered lodging for traveling African-American musicians. It was home to several big names, including Robert ‘Nighthawk’ McCollum and Ike Turner. Even though it has become a ramshackle, it is still a great place to visit.
The building used to be an African-American hospital. The popular blues singer, Bessie Smith, died there in 1937.
B.B King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center –Indianola
This is a first-rate museum that sits on 20,000 square feet. A trip here starts with a 15-minute film. It includes the performance of King’s song ‘Key to the Highway,’ The exhibits are pretty impressive. They wind through six rooms with stories of the musician’s career and life. You’ll also learn stories of the Delta, its literature, music, and history. They are in the form of literature, artifacts, videos, and photos.
A trip to Mississippi will be memorable. The nightlife is vibrant, the variety of music is wide, and the people are friendly. However, these aren’t the only reasons to consider visiting this state. It is one of the best places to celebrate black history month and learn about black history.
The most important places to consider visiting are The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, B.B King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, and Bryant’s Grocery. They are family-friendly and offer great opportunities for kids and adults to enjoy.
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