One of the most amazing experiences we had while in Jackson, MS was visiting the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum!

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS

Steve and I grew up listening to freedom fighters such as Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King Jr. We were both raised never to judge a book by its cover because all G-d’s children were created equal. We attended Germantown High School in Philadelphia PA which was racially diverse. So we agree when we hear that Black Lives Matter. In fact we certainly feel that all lives should matter, regardless of color, religion or sexual orientation.

I remember vividly and incident during my Senior Class trip to Bear Mountain in New York. We were waiting for our train back to Philly at Grand Central Station in Manhattan. We were exhausted from a very long day of celebrating our impending graduation. The train station was bustling with travelers and there were very few seats available to wait for our train. So we did what kids do. We sat on the floor and began to sing the first song that came to mind “We Shall Overcome”. Somehow the police thought it was a “Sit in” and before we knew it we were surrounded by cops. Fortunately for us our adult chaperones, mostly teachers, were able to explain that it was not a protest. Just tired kids sitting on the floor with a poor choice of song. So thank goodness we were not arrested.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

Gallery 1 – Mississippi Freedom Struggle

Quotes from civil rights leaders

Quote by the late Medgar Evers

Time line mural at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

More of that time line…

But that was not usually the case! And that is why visiting the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is so important. Everything about this museum is amazing. As you enter from the lobby you pass through the first exhibition called Mississippi Freedom Struggle. There the gallery sets the context for the Civil Rights Movement with a national timeline. This timeline features quotes, images and descriptions of the men, women and children who risked their lives to gain freedom.

Gallery 2 – Mississippi in Black and White

Food is a huge part of every culture

From there you enter Mississippi in Black and White, where you learn about the African Americanas who rose as leaders of the Movement. You also see those who were memorialized as lynching victims in 5 monoliths, each of which details the years following Reconstruction and beyond from 1865 to 1941.

Gallery 3 – This Little Light of Mine

A view of the stunning interactive light sculpture This Little Light of Mine

Another view of This Little Light of Mine

The story of the song This Little Light of Mine and the creation of the sculpture of the same name.

And one more view while the artwork’s title song was playing This Little Light of Mine.

As you exit gallery 2 you realize that the entire museum is built around this center circle. This is gallery 3 and it is titled This Little Light of Mine. It is a magical place! Central to the entire museum it holds an interactive light sculpture that was designed to honor civil rights heroes who gave their lives for the cause. When you step into the heart of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum you are struck by the beauty of this sculpture that changes color and pulsates to the music of the Movement. There are comfortable benches set in a circle in Gallery 3 so that you can enjoy the experience. I found myself moving from bench to bench to see these joyful ribbons of color and light from different perspectives. It was so mesmerizing and emotional that I could not pull myself away until every song had played culminating with the theme song This Little Light of Mine.

Gallery 4 – A Closed Society

Separate entrances for blacks at the movie theater back in the late 1930’s

Gallery 4 lets you explore the early years of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi from 1941  to 1960. There are two 7-minute films that you can view.

Gallery 5 – A Tremor in the Iceberg

A gorgeous hand stitched quilt depicting life on a plantation.

In Gallery 5 you witness the fresh urgency and drive that the early 1960s brought. A new generation of activists were at the forefront of the Movement. You will gain a deeper understanding of the struggle of these men and women. There’s also another film that depicts Medgar Evers’ lifelong work to create a better life for his children and all African Americans in Mississippi. His life was cut short when he was assassinated in the driveway of his home.

Gallery 6 – I Question America

Mississippi was the birthplace of the Blues

The sixth gallery is called I Question America. In this one we explore freedom vote campaigns and visit churches, masonic lodges and community centers that served as meeting places as the Movement flourished in the mid 1960s. Both of the films in this gallery are not to be missed.

Film 1 is 15-minutes and examines the pivotal Freedom Summer of 1964. The second film was the one I found to be the most emotional. Chaney, Goodman, Schwerner: Missing is an 8-minute film that chronicles the disappearance of the three Civil Rights activists in Neshoba County. It will leave you sad and angry at the same time. How could this happen in America? But it did.

Gallery 7 – Black Empowerment

Freedom fighters

As you pass through Gallery 7 you will witness the triumphs of people within the Movement leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In addition you’ll uncover the tragedies and notable artifacts of the period as March Against Fear continued to gain strength.

Gallery 8 – Where do we go from here?

Lastly in Gallery 8 inspires conversation and consideration with the many names, faces and stories from the Movement. Here you can share your thoughts and comments on where we go from here.

Our experience at the Mississippi Civil Right Museum was nothing short of astounding. There was only one other museum that we have visiting that left us with the same gamut of feelings. And that was the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.

Medgar Evers home

Medgar Evers Home in Jackson, M

The historic designation of Medgar Evers home in Jackson Mississippi

A permanent wreath marks the passing of Medgar Evers, a Civil Rights leader who was shot and killed in his driveway.

Sign on Medgar Evers home explains the tragedy that occurred there.

To continue exploring Jackson, MS and the Civil Rights Movement we took a drive to Medgar Evers home. It is now a shrine to this amazing Civil Rights leader and also had an historic location designation. It was chilling to realize that this strong leader was shot dead right in the driveway of his own home. His wife and children were inside and thankfully unharmed physically. But the emotional scars had to have been devastating.

After an unbelievably emotional day we decided we needed to have a fun dinner. So we headed to Pig and Pint to pick up some ‘cue.

Pig and Pint

Pig and PInt BBQ in Jackson, MS

The extensive menu at Pig and Pint takes 3 blackboards!

No shortage of piggies at Pig and Pint!

Just love this sign!!!

The entry from the bar to the take out counter at Pig and Pint

The bar Pig and Pint BBQ in Jackson, MS

Pig and Pint is a really cool place with lots of picnic tables out front and a couple more inside in the bar area. Sadly, due to Covid, there is take-out only. So we started to read the three blackboard menus. And since we had watched a couple of Chef’s Table BBQ shows the night before we were craving everything we saw. We waaaaay over ordered. We couldn’t help ourselves. We came home with a pound of hot smoked sausage, a half rack of ribs and a 1/2 pound of smoked brisket. But that’s not all. We also got a pint of comeback coleslaw and a pint of mac and cheese. And let’s not forget the bananas Foster banana puddings. Oh yes!!!

Our BBQ combo from Pig and Pint. Clockwise from top Mac and Cheese, Ribs, Smoked Brisket, Smoked Hot Sausage and Comeback Coleslaw.

Everything was incredibly delectable. But, like I said, we ordered way too much. And we were very glad we did. We had an amazing lunch the next day. If for no other reason, we look forward to returning to Jackson for Pig and Pint alone.