From John R. Lynch and Hiram Revels of the Reconstruction Era to Charles Evers and Jessie Bernard of the Civil Rights Movement, Natchez harbors an important collection of African American figures, histories, and sites. The month of February serves as an annual reminder of the African American experience through reflection, commemoration, and memorial. More importantly, each day of the month provides an opportunity for education, for learning.

In his book Deacons for Defense, Tulane professor Lance Hill described the Natchez campaign as “undoubtedly the greatest success of the Civil Rights movement in Mississippi.” The Civil Rights Movement came to Natchez in late 1938, when Dr. Audley Mackel introduced a chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The movement culminated throughout 1965. That year, the George Metcalfe bombing took place, Ed Pincus filmed his stunning documentary Black Natchez, leaders initiated a successful boycott of downtown merchants, and more than 500 demonstrators were arrested in a protest now known as the Parchman Ordeal. The successes of 1965 could have never predicted the horrors of early 1967. On February 27, 1967, the bombing of Wharlest Jackson’s Chevrolet truck took his life, sending shockwaves throughout the Natchez community and State of Mississippi. Mayor John J. Nosser eulogized Jackson stating, “Before we lacked the courage to speak out. Now we don’t care. We have to.”

Many Natchez citizens who experienced the Civil Rights Movement are still with us today. Their experiences, anecdotes, and memories speak to our past and provide inspiration for our future. On March 7, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. join the community discussion surrounding the Adams County Civil Rights Project. Located in the rear meeting room at Zion Chapel AME Church (228 N MLK St, Natchez), this third community forum will focus on civil rights and education. Featured speaker Alan Wheat, Director of Education, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, will cover topics connected to existing curriculum and how teachers can utilize local history in the classroom, particularly the Civil Rights Movement in Natchez.

The Historic Natchez Foundation and Mississippi Department of Health invite you to attend and provide your input. We need your ideas to identify civil rights sites for the Adams County Civil Rights Project. Additionally, we are requesting attendees bring any related physical documents, photographs, or other objects. We have dedicated space for scanning materials and will return them immediately. Light refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be up for grabs. We believe public input will produce noticeable results and benefit the overall project and Natchez Adams County. The Historic Natchez Foundation and the Mississippi State Department of Health recognize the importance of individual involvement, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the Natchez-Adams County community.

The Health Impact Assessment is administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health with a grant from the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

The Historic Natchez Foundation’s National Register project is being completed with assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Chase Klugh is the director of preservation for the Historic Natchez Foundation.