Vicksburg’s Untold Stories

Welcome to the story behind the signs.You are standing on the site of what was once Kuhn Memorial Hospital — a place where Black and White Mississippians received care in a deeply unequal system. For decades, this hospital was both a refuge and a reminder of...

Even before the Civil War, freedom was claimed.Before the Emancipation Proclamation, before the 13th Amendment, freedom was already being claimed in Vicksburg. Through Skill and LaborOne of the most powerful examples is Kitty Foote, a midwife whose work brought new...

Standing Up in ReconstructionReconstruction was one of the most hopeful and dangerous times in Vicksburg’s history. Newly freed families built schools, founded churches, and voted for their own leaders. Peter Crosby: From Soldier to SheriffBorn enslaved, Peter Crosby...

Everyday Strength in VicksburgJim Crow laws tried to strip Black Mississippians of dignity and opportunity. But in Vicksburg, families found ways to stay strong: Faith as RefugeChurches like Bethel AME (est. 1864) became sanctuaries where people could gather, learn,...

Vicksburg’s Civil Rights LeadersThe 1950s and ’60s were decades of courage in Vicksburg. Ordinary people became leaders, risking jobs, safety, and sometimes their lives for equality: Local OrganizersTeachers and ministers held mass meetings in churches, turning them...

The backlash deepened but so did determination.In the summer of 1972, Black families in Vicksburg made history with one of Mississippi’s most effective economic boycotts. Why It StartedBlack customers were routinely disrespected in downtown stores — ignored at...

In 1988, Vicksburg elected its first Black mayor: Robert M. Walker. His victory was the result of more than a century of struggle — from Reconstruction through Jim Crow to the boycotts of the 1970s. A Teacher and Servant LeaderWalker was a lifelong educator, teaching...

The foundation for a heralded 32-year military career began for Donna R. Williams in her hometown of Vicksburg. And in 2015, her selfless service earned her the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Army ROTC. Williams became interested in the military as a Junior...

Myrlie Evers-Williams was born in Vicksburg in 1933. Her life became a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and leadership in the long struggle for civil rights. Carrying Medgar’s LegacyIn 1963, her husband, Medgar Evers, was assassinated in Jackson for his work as...

He Rose to the Challenge: Brigadier General Robert CrearBorn and raised in Vicksburg, Robert Crear turned his local roots into a life of national service. His story is one of discipline, excellence, and commitment — to both his country and his community. A Vicksburg...

This Story Is Yours, Too.The stories along this trail are not just about the past. They live on in families, schools, neighborhoods, and churches. They live in you. The Knowledge TreeAt Myrlie Evers Civil Rights Park, the Knowledge Tree sculpture symbolizes how...

What will you do next? You’ve walked through stories of courage, resilience, and hope. Now the question is yours: What’s one step you can take to carry this work forward? Speak UpCivil rights leaders taught us that silence allows injustice to grow. Use your voice to...