History Is Lunch: Leslie-Burl McLemore, Jeff Kolnick, and Michelle Deardorff, "Voting Rights Act 60"

At noon Wednesday, August 6, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Leslie-Burl McLemore, civil rights veteran and professor emeritus of political science at Jackson State University, will be joined by historians Jeff Kolnick, history professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and Michelle Deardorff, professor of government and department head at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, for the History Is Lunch series.

Patti Carr Black Marker Dedication

Join the Mississippi Arts Commission and Visit Mississippi on June 18 at 2 p.m. for the dedication of a Mississippi Writers Trail marker honoring author and historian Patti Carr Black. The ceremony will take place on the grounds of the Old Capitol Museum, followed by a reception in the museum’s chancery court. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

Voting Rights Act Anniversary Tour

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Two Mississippi Museums will host a gallery talk on Wednesday, August 6 at 10 a.m. with former state senator David Jordan in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and a 15-20 minute flash tour at 2 p.m. Join us to learn more about the efforts of Mississippi civil rights activists to secure federal protections for Black citizens’ right to vote. Don't forget to also attend this week's History Is Lunch: "Voting Rights Act 60," see our event calendar for more information, contact 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

History Is Lunch: Emmett Till Interpretative Center, “Remembering Emmett: The Journey of Truth-Telling”

At noon Wednesday, August 13, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the murder of Emmett Till, a panel from the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC) consisting of Venita Halbert, community engagement coordinator; Jermarlius “Jay” Rushing, youth coordinator; Benjamin Saulsberry, director of public engagement and museum education; and Daphne Chamberlain, chief program officer, will discuss the origins of ETIC and its work in historical preservation, truth-telling, and racial reconciliation. This program will take place in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Mississippi Museums and will also stream live on the MDAH Facebook page and YouTube channel. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

History Is Lunch: Susan Stearns, “The Mississippi River and the Founding of the Nation”

At noon Wednesday, July 9, Susan Stearns, historian of the early American West and assistant professor of history at the University of Mississippi, will examine how trade on and along the Mississippi River during the United States’ earliest years set the stage for transforming the west as part of the History Is Lunch series. Stearns is the author of Empire of Commerce: The Closing of the Mississippi and the Opening of Atlantic Trade. This program will take place in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Mississippi Museums and will also stream live on the MDAH Facebook page and YouTube channel. Copies of Empire of Commerce will be available for sale with a book signing to follow. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

Sunday Screening of Talkin' Clarksdale: A Contemporary Blues Documentary

Join us for a screening of Talkin' Clarksdale: A Contemporary Blues Documentary at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Mississippi Museums. Directed by Tommy Slack, the sixty-minute film takes a look at contemporary blues music, exploring its influence on the voices of today’s musicians, venue owners, historians, and philanthropists dedicated to preserving its legacy. Following the screening, a panel discussion will take place with Slack, producer Demmette Guidry, and associate producer Adrian “Rev Slim” Forrest. Before Talking Clarksdale, the Sunday Screening team will show a short film titled The Story of Ben Williams. Directed by Fred Nettles, the movie tells the story of Ben Williams who became the first Black football player at the University of Mississippi in 1972. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

Emmett Till Birthday Tours

In honor of Emmett Till’s birthday, education staff from the Two Mississippi Museums will host free flash tours at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 25. In August 1955, Till was murdered by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam for allegedly whistling at Carolyn Bryant, Roy Bryant’s wife. Till’s murder inspired an upcoming generation of young civil rights activists to join the freedom struggle.

Emmett Till Birthday Tours

In honor of Emmett Till’s birthday, education staff from the Two Mississippi Museums will host free flash tours at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25. In August 1955, Till was murdered by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam for allegedly whistling at Carolyn Bryant, Roy Bryant’s wife. Till’s murder inspired an upcoming generation of young civil rights activists to join the freedom struggle.

History Happy Hour: Voting

Join us for a free History Happy Hour to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act on Thursday, July 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums. Enjoy live music with Rusted Strings, food from Aplos and Jerk City Grille, and a cash bar. Visitors will also have the chance to win prizes in a staff-led trivia game focused on voting rights history. Two Mississippi Museums members and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi employees will receive a complimentary drink.
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