History isn’t buried in Mississippi—it’s alive, breathing, and demanding to be heard. This is the land where voices once silenced found the courage to rise, and today, those echoes live on inside the walls of powerful museums. Step through their doors and you’ll feel it: the weight of struggle, the fire of resistance, and the unstoppable march toward justice.
Whether you’re a lifelong learner, a traveler chasing meaning, or someone simply curious about how ordinary citizens sparked extraordinary change, these seven museums will grip your heart and open your eyes. Mississippi doesn’t just preserve civil rights history—it keeps it alive.
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum — Jackson, MS
Located in Jackson, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum engages visitors with its interactive galleries showcasing pivotal moments in the civil rights movement. Opened in 2017, it explores the journey from slavery through the Jim Crow era to significant civil rights victories. Through personal items, documents, and powerful displays, the museum captures the struggle and celebrates heroes. Visitors walk through immersive spaces reflecting on violence and triumph.
This museum merges scholarship with public memory, ensuring stories of resilience and change inspire future generations. It stands as a beacon of learning and reflection on Mississippi’s complex history.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — Jackson, MS
The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument preserves the residence where civil rights leader Medgar Evers was assassinated. This modest Jackson home tells a powerful story of activism, sacrifice, and change, illustrating the Evers’ dedication to justice and equality.
Guided tours provide insight into their lives and the broader civil rights movement. The monument serves as a testament to community organizing, voter registration efforts, and the personal costs of the struggle for civil rights. It offers visitors a personal connection to a pivotal moment in American history.
Emmett Till Interpretive Center — Sumner, MS
The Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner commemorates the 1955 murder that ignited nationwide outrage and fueled the civil rights movement. Situated near the courthouse where Till’s trial was held, the center offers exhibits and oral histories that preserve the story of this tragic event. It invites visitors to reflect on racial violence and its impact, emphasizing truth-telling and education.
Run by a community nonprofit, the center honors Till’s memory and fosters dialogue about justice and reconciliation. It stands as a crucial site for understanding America’s history and ongoing challenges.
Fannie Lou Hamer Civil Rights Museum — Belzoni, MS
Honoring the indomitable spirit of Fannie Lou Hamer, this museum in Belzoni traces her journey from sharecropping to national leadership in voting rights. Through photos, recordings, and campaign materials, visitors explore Hamer’s impact on the civil rights movement.
The museum highlights her role in SNCC and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, offering personal artifacts and narratives. It serves as a classroom for understanding local activism and the broader fight for equality. For many, it’s a site of inspiration and a testament to the power of grassroots organizing.
Canton Freedom House Civil Rights Museum — Canton, MS
The Canton Freedom House Civil Rights Museum occupies a restored headquarters pivotal to civil rights organizing in Mississippi. Once a hub for protests and voter drives, it now preserves the history of local activism. The museum showcases photographs, flyers, and artifacts from the era, telling the story of courage and community resilience.
Visitors learn about the strategic efforts that connected Canton to statewide campaigns against segregation. The Freedom House symbolizes ordinary people’s extraordinary resistance, offering insights into the civil rights struggle and its enduring legacy in Canton and beyond.
Eureka School Civil Rights Museum — Hattiesburg, MS
Housed in a historic 1921 building, the Eureka School Civil Rights Museum in Hattiesburg represents the fight for educational equality. As a former school for Black students during segregation, it now provides exhibits on civil rights organizing and local leaders. Restored classrooms and photographs document the challenges and triumphs of the era.
Visitors are guided through stories of school desegregation and community resilience. The museum is a poignant reminder of how educational institutions were both arenas of oppression and platforms for resistance, playing a crucial role in the civil rights movement.
Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center — Jackson, MS
Located in the historic Smith Robertson Elementary School, this museum in Jackson celebrates African American heritage and civil rights. Exhibits feature photographs, artifacts, and stories of local struggles. It highlights notable figures like Richard Wright and emphasizes community institutions’ roles in activism.
The museum connects personal histories to broader civil rights narratives, illustrating how everyday choices fueled movements. Through oral histories and dynamic displays, visitors gain insights into the grassroots efforts that drove significant changes across Mississippi. It’s a tribute to the enduring impact of community-driven activism.