The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson is one of the most powerful history museums in the American South, chronicling the century-long struggle for racial equality in Mississippi from the end of Reconstruction through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Opened in 2017, the museum occupies a striking modern building in the Two Mississippi Museums complex on North Street in downtown Jackson, sharing a campus with the Museum of Mississippi History.
Visitors move through eight gallery spaces, each themed around a distinct chapter of the state's civil rights story. 'This Land is Our Land' examines the post-Civil War period and the emergence of Jim Crow laws, while 'We Shall Not Be Moved' documents sit-ins, freedom rides, and the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964. The centerpiece 'This Little Light of Mine' gallery features a 15-foot tower of voices — a multimedia installation combining music, oral histories, and archival footage that moves many visitors deeply. A circle theater at the museum's heart projects footage of landmark speeches and acts of resistance.
Key figures memorialized include Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, and the three civil rights workers murdered in Neshoba County in 1964 — James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. Interactive stations allow visitors to review actual FBI files, letters, and documents from the era. The gift shop carries books and documentaries unavailable at mainstream retailers.
Allow at least two hours for a thorough visit; the immersive audio-visual elements reward unhurried attention. Weekday mornings are the quietest times to visit. School groups frequent the museum on weekday afternoons in spring. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children, and a $25 combo ticket covers both this museum and the adjacent Museum of Mississippi History.
Good to know
- Hours
- Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM; closed Monday
- Best time
- Weekday mornings for smaller crowds; book tickets online at mdah.ms.gov
Location
222 North St, Jackson, MS 39201
32.3014, -90.1832 View on map
Highlights
- Eight thematic galleries spanning Reconstruction through the Civil Rights Act of 1968
- 'This Little Light of Mine' multimedia tower installation with oral histories and archival footage
- Exhibits on Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, and the 1964 Freedom Summer in Mississippi
- Circle theater with documentary film projections and first-person testimonies
- Shared campus with the Museum of Mississippi History — combo ticket available
Tips for visiting
- Book tickets online at mdah.ms.gov to avoid queues, especially on weekends.
- The audio guide is included in admission and adds significant depth to each gallery.
- Allow at least 2 hours; the 'This Little Light of Mine' installation alone takes 20 minutes to experience fully.
- Free parking is available in the adjacent lot on North Street — arrive before 10 AM on busy days.
- The $25 combo ticket covers both the Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History next door.
- Photography is permitted throughout most galleries; flash is discouraged in film-screening areas.
When to visit
Weekday mornings are the least crowded; the museum is busier on weekend afternoons and during school-group season (March–May). February sees elevated attendance with additional programming for Black History Month.
Accessibility
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible with elevators serving all levels, accessible restrooms, and tactile elements in select exhibits. Audio descriptions and captioned video content are available throughout the galleries.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum take?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours. The eight galleries are immersive and the multimedia installations reward unhurried attention; budget extra time if traveling with children or students.
Is the museum appropriate for children?
Yes, though some content covering racial violence is sobering. Staff offer age-appropriate guidance, and the museum is widely used for school groups from middle school onward.
Is photography allowed inside the museum?
Photography is permitted in most areas. Flash photography and tripods are not allowed in active film-screening zones.
Is there parking at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum?
Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the museum on North Street. The lot can fill on busy weekends, so arriving before 10 AM is advisable.