The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum has once again earned a nomination for “Best History Museum,” continuing to gain recognition for its impactful portrayal of the state’s Civil Rights Movement.
Last year, the museum garnered national attention when it was ranked fourth in the country in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice poll. While it placed highly, some, like Starkville resident Mac Smith, believe it deserved the top spot. “I can’t believe it came in fourth,” Smith remarked. “It should be number one.”
Smith, a long-time advocate for the museum, brought members of the Starkville Rotary Club’s Oktibbeha Young Leaders to experience the museum for themselves this year. He expressed his belief that the museum is a must-visit destination. “For anybody that’s ever been here, it’s not surprising it’s been nominated because this place is phenomenal,” he said. “And I think the recognition that it will provide, hopefully, will encourage others to come to see this.”
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum again received significant recognition this year, earning a nomination in the prestigious USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice poll for 2024.
Two MS Museums Director Michael Morris expressed his excitement for the continued recognition. “We’re just really excited for the second year in a row to receive this honor,” he said. “I think it really does speak to people across this country that really do value our Civil Rights Museum and literally think it’s one of the best in the country.”
Rochelle Burge, a history teacher at Magnolia Middle School in Meridian, brought her eighth-grade history club to the museum for a second consecutive year. She was impressed by the powerful stories shared by visitors. “I think they voted for it because it tells us about Mississippi,” Burge said. “Everybody wants to come here and learn about Mississippi. You can come right here to this museum. It’s gonna tell about it.”
To celebrate its continued success, FedEx is sponsoring free admission to the museum from January 18-20. Visitors can cast their votes in the USA Today poll by visiting the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum’s Facebook page and clicking on the provided link.
In addition to the nomination, the museum will debut a new photographic exhibit by Melody Golding in March, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The exhibit will be on display throughout the year, further enhancing the museum’s role in preserving and sharing critical moments in history.
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