MDAH Press Release — The Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum projects are in high gear as the department has been coordinating community meetings around the state, collecting artifacts, and raising funds for exhibits through the Foundation for Mississippi History. The foundation has launched a campaign to raise at least $12 million in private funding for the two museums–$8 million for exhibits and a $2 million endowment for each of the museums. The new website documents the progress of the project and offers readers opportunities to be a part of the work. The web address is www.2mississippimuseums.com.

Public meetings for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (MCRM) began early this year and will continue through April. Hilferty & Associates, the firm hired to develop exhibits for the civil rights museum, met with MDAH staff and members of the Legislative Black Caucus in January to review and discuss preliminary exhibit plans. MDAH director H.T. Holmes asked caucus members to help the department make contact with civil rights movement veterans and other citizens around the state with stories to tell or artifacts to donate. In February the department held a focus group meeting with Jackson-area leaders at Tougaloo College and public meetings in McComb and Hattiesburg. Continue reading