Mississippi Humanities Council

America250 Mississippi - A Memorial Day Commemoration in Recognition of America's 250th Anniversary
2026-05-25 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 1 John M.B. Church, I John M.B. Church, Doddsville, MS, 38736, United States

America250 Mississippi - Mantee History & Heritage Museum Grand Opening
2026-05-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Mantee Depot, 67 First Street, Mantee, MS, 39751, United States
Join us for the Mantee History & Heritage Museum grand opening! Monday, May 25 at 11:00 AM at the Mantee Depot (67 First Street). The updates to the museum are thanks to donations of military veterans memorabilia from community members and an America250 grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council.

America250 Mississippi - Liberty & Legacy: Byhalia 250 - Session 3
2026-05-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Ruth B. French Library, 161 Highway 309 South, Byhalia, MS, 38611, United States
Here’s the schedule for submitting materials and writing letters:

Session 1: Wednesday, 13 May, 3-4:30PM at Ruth B. French Library
Session 2: Thursday, 21 May, 5:30-7PM at Byhalia MS Town Hall
Session 3: Wednesday, 27 May, 3-4:30PM at Ruth B. French Library

What will you leave behind?

Grant information: “This project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material does not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Mississippi Humanities Council.

Natchez Screening – McComb
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Palace Theatre, 111 Main St, McComb, MS, 39648, United States
Join us for a free event featuring a screening of Natchez at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, in the Palace Theater in McComb. This 86-minute documentary journeys through an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads as it grapples with a deeply troubled history.
The program will include a post-screening panel featuring local scholars, community voices, individuals from the film, and, at most sites, the filmmakers themselves. For more information, visit mshumanities.org/program/screenings.
Other MHC-sponsored screenings of Natchez include:

April 11, 7 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, Vicksburg
April 12, 2 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums, Jackson
April 14, 5:30 p.m. at the MUW Fant Library, Columbus
April 20, 5:30 p.m. at The Apothecary, Holly Springs
May 28, 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater, McComb
May 29, 6 p.m. at the Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland

Natchez Screening – Cleveland
2026-05-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Delta Arts Alliance, 104 S. Court Street, Cleveland, MS, 38732
Join us for a free event featuring a screening of Natchez at 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, at the Delta Arts Alliance in Cleveland. This 86-minute documentary journeys through an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads as it grapples with a deeply troubled history.
The program will include a post-screening panel featuring local scholars, community voices, individuals from the film, and, at most sites, the filmmakers themselves. For more information, visit mshumanities.org/program/screenings.
Other MHC-sponsored screenings of Natchez include:

April 11, 7 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, Vicksburg
April 12, 2 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums, Jackson
April 14, 5:30 p.m. at the MUW Fant Library, Columbus
April 20, 5:30 p.m. at The Apothecary, Holly Springs
May 28, 6 p.m. at the Palace Theater, McComb
May 29, 6 p.m. at the Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland

Speakers Bureau: "Learning Mississippi History Through Historical Markers"
2026-06-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center, 200 North Huntington, Kosciusko, MS, 39090, United States
William “Brother” Rogers presents “Learning Mississippi History Through Historical Markers.”
From traditional green historical markers to the Mississippi Blues Trail, Freedom Trail, Country Music Trail, and Mississippi Mound Trail, the state’s history is told along its roads. The speaker takes a fun romp through history that will interest anyone who likes fascinating trivia about the state.

Clarksdale Culture Capital: The Return
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-07 | 164 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614, 164 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, MS, 38614, United States
Friday, June 5, 2026
Friday belongs to the story with the Aint Film Festival. Before the music, before the feast, before the river – we start where it all begins: the screen. Tonight is about seeing ourselves told by ourselves, in a place that has been the source of so much of the world’s culture. Welcome to Clarksdale. Welcome home.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Saturday is the heartbeat of The Return. Every street is a stage. Every conversation is building something. From a morning sound bathe on the river to live podcasts, barbershop talks, artist demos, a curated dinner, and a late-night DJ set — this is what it looks like when a community celebrates itself.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
The Sunflower River runs through this town. Sam Cooke was born on its banks. Come to the water. Arrive with intention. A change is gonna come.
A sound bathe opens the morning. Choir rises. Elders and the Clarksdale community speak. Then we take to the water — together in canoes and kayaks.

Speakers Bureau: "Music of the War Between the States, 1861 to 1865"
2026-06-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center, 607 Grisham St, Baldwyn, MS, 38824-8541, United States
William Arinder presents “Music of the War Between the States, 1861 to 1865.”
Music of this period played on the Appalachian Mountain dulcimer, banjo-mier and wooden spoons. Period clothing worn. Audience may help play the spoons.

America250 Mississippi - America 250: Celebrate in Stone
2026-06-06 10:00 - 18:00 | Blaylock Park, 100 3rd St S,, Wiggins, MS, 39577, United States
The Stone County Friends of the Libraries will commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday with “America 250: Celebrate in Stone” on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Blaylock Park in Wiggins.Because the event falls on the anniversary ofthe Normandy landings, the day will also include a brief D-Day remembrance ceremony with historical readings, a moment of silence and recognition of local veterans.The event will also feature educational programming like historic readings, a 1976 pop-up display, student art and essay contests, a community story booth, a community celebration to open a 1976 time capsule, and more family-friendly activities!The program will honor service and sacrifice while celebrating 250 years of American history and the community’s shared story.This event has been made possible by Friends of the Stone County Libraries, the City of Wiggins, Stone County, the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Golden Gals, and the Pine Forest Regional Library System.**Stay late and join the Pine Hill Social after the time capsule is opened**

America250 Mississippi – Mississippi250
2026-06-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-28 18:00 - 20:00 | The Grove Stage, University of Mississippi, 49 University Ave, University, MS, 38677, United States
The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council will expand its annual June Summer Sunset Concert Series with a special July 4th celebration in Oxford in 2026. The project blends live concerts highlighting Mississippi’s musical traditions with historian-curated readings and writing prompts on democracy, plus short documentary films exploring how Mississippi’s culture shapes the arts. Designed as a free, multimedia program, it aims to celebrate the state’s musical and democratic heritage, foster community reflection, and engage diverse audiences across generations.
The series will highlight a different element of Mississippi’s musical legacy each week—blues, gospel, country, rock and roll, and other traditions—while pairing each concert with a community writing prompt curated from historical writings on democracy. A historian will be engaged to compile a list of significant texts and excerpts related to democracy in America, with particular emphasis on Mississippi’s history and culture. This curated collection will then be adapted into age-appropriate reading lists and reflection questions, ensuring accessibility for both students and adults.
Dates:

Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.

Film Screening and Discussion | Love is a Sensation
2026-06-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, 565 N. Fifth Avenue, Laurel, MS, 39440
The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is pleased to host a special screening of ‘Love Is a Sensation’, a documentary created in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The film lovingly documents the life, creativity, and passions of the self-described “unusual artist,” L.V. Hull, whose remarkable artistic legacy continues to inspire audiences across the region and beyond.
Following the screening, guests are invited to stay for a discussion featuring filmmaker Yaphet Smith.

Screening of BEYOND
2026-06-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Capri Theatre, 3023 N State St,, Jackson, 39216, United States
The Mississippi Film Society, in partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council, is pleased to invite you to a special free screening of BEYOND on Tuesday, June 9th, at 7 pm, at the Capri Theatre in Fondren. Before the screening, Big House Books will set up in the lobby to give out swag and accept donations. Please come out to support this important film and Big House Books!

Check out the trailer.

Tickets are limited, so reserve yours today!

Speakers Bureau: “The Marquis de Lafayette Visits Mississippi"
2026-06-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library, 900 Goodyear Blvd, Picayune, 39466, United States
William “Brother” Rogers presents “The Marquis de Lafayette Visits Mississippi”
In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Natchez on his farewell tour of America. Learn more about who he was and why this historic event was significant.

Speakers Bureau: “Spanish Dons in Colonial Mississippi: The Spanish roots of Mississippi’s Cotton Kingdom"
2026-06-13 12:00 - 14:00 | Carriage House, 401 High St, Natchez, MS, 39120, United States
Christian Pinnen presents “Spanish Dons in Colonial Mississippi: The Spanish roots of Mississippi’s Cotton Kingdom.”
Spain has a short, but important part in Mississippi’s history. Between 1779 and 1798, Spanish administrators sought to wrangle profits and people in small outpost, most prominently Natchez, along the Mississippi River. Enforcing Spanish laws and customs in a polyglot and largely Anglo-American population proved treacherous and created economic and social dynamics that gave rise to more than one chaotic episode as people tried to gain influence and power along the Mississippi.

Everlasting Screening – Meridian
2026-06-13 17:00 - 19:00 | The MAX, 2118 Front St, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers will be screening at The MAX – The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience thanks to a partnership between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, and the Mississippi Humanities Council. This original documentary from MPB explores the profound life, courage, and enduring influence of civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers.
The screening is free and open to the public and will be followed by a panel discussion on Evers’ legacy.
Saturday, June 13, 5 p.m. – The MAX – The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

Speakers Bureau: “Utica Normal & Industrial Institute: The Legacy of William H. Holtzclaw”
2026-06-16 11:30 - 13:30 | Country Woods Baptist Church, 6737 S Siwell Rd, Byram, MS, 39272, United States
Jean Greene presents “Utica Normal & Industrial Institute: The Legacy of William H. Holtzclaw”
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an educator, reformer, and one of the most influential African American intellectuals of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He was the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute and was responsible for its development. Washington’s influence over Southern Black Education was extensive. He cultivated the spread of vocational schools for African American students throughout the South. Several of the schools established using his Tuskegee model still exist today. His vision of education for young Black men and women is very much in evidence in Mississippi. One of his chief lieutenants, Charles Banks, and the jewel in the crown of the Tuskegee Machine, Utica Normal Institute, were located in Mississippi. William Henry Holtzclaw, the son of former slaves and mentee of Washington, founded the Utica Normal & Industrial as a ‘Little Tuskegee’ in Utica in 1903. Now known as Hinds Community College’s Utica Campus, the campus retains its HBCU status and traditions. This presentation discusses Booker T. Washington and his influence on Southern Black Education. It evaluates the ‘Little Tuskegee’ concept and gives an overview of the Utica Institute from its founding in the Jim Crow-era South through the Civil Rights years and beyond.

Speakers Bureau: "Natchez in the Early American Economy"
2026-06-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center, 200 North Huntington, Kosciusko, MS, 39090, United States
Dr. Susan Gaunt Stearns presents “Natchez in the Early American Economy.”
Dr. Susan Gaunt Stearns is an associate professor of history at the University of Mississippi. She currently teaches courses on US history, the history of the colonial and Revolutionary era America, the history of Mississippi, as well as graduate courses on historical methods and teaching history. Her research focuses on western expansion and its relationship to the creation of the United States and the development of the American and global economies. Her book, Empire of Commerce: The Closing of the Mississippi and the Opening of Atlantic Trade, received Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History’s book prize for 2024. She is currently working on a book examining the history of Memphis from pre-history to the American Revolution.

America250 Mississippi: Seeds of Freedom Pavilion Grand Opening
2026-06-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center, 1950 Lisa Drive, Greenville, MS, 38703, United States
Celebrate the completion of the Seeds of Freedom Pavilion at the Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center. This space commemorates individuals and groups that have worked and sacrificed for food sovereignty and agricultural innovation right here in the Mississippi Delta. This area honors their lives and legacy and shows how our community has been actively involved in the fight for freedom through access to basic needs. We look forward to celebrating with you June 18th from 5:00-7:00pm at 1950 Lisa Drive Ext Greenville, MS 38703.

America250 Mississippi: Keepers of the Coast: Preserving Black History at the Pleasant Reed House
2026-06-19 | Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, 386 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS, 39530
Keepers of the Coast: Preserving Black History at the Pleasant Reed House OOMA will update the Pleasant Reed House into an accessible, permanent learning hub for Biloxi’s Black history. Funding restores the historic front door, builds three film rooms, completes ADA-forward A/V, and finishes the Joys & Blues of East Biloxi documentary. The rooms will loop three shorts—City Within a City, The Biloxi Wade-Ins, and Joys & Blues. Launching with MLK Day and Juneteenth programs, these upgrades create daily, barrier-free access for visitors, students, and elders year-round.

Sunday Screening: Caravan of Hope
2026-06-21 14:00 - 16:00 | TWO MISSISSIPPI MUSEUMS, 222 NORTH STREET , JACKSON, MS, United States
Join us for a free event featuring a screening of Caravan of Hope at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium at the Two Mississippi Museums. This 60-minute documentary tells the powerful story of how a Memphis-based radio station, WDIA, and a small Mississippi town, Mound Bayou, joined forces to save a symbol of Black resilience. Mound Bayou, one of the most successful all-Black towns in America, was on the brink of collapse by the mid-twentieth century. Archival footage, photographs, and interviews show how WDIA, the first Black-programmed radio station in the United States, raised the funds to revive the town. Following the screening, a panel conversation will feature directors Castel Sweet and Antonio Tarrell, with moderator Nina Parikh of Film Mississippi. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

America250 Mississippi - Long Beach 4th of July Jubilee
2026-06-27 | The City of Long Beach, 201 Jeff Davis Ave, Long Beach, MS, 39560, United States
The Long Beach 4th of July Jubilee will take place on Saturday, June 27th in Downtown Long Beach, offering a full day of family-friendly programming that celebrates community, tradition, and Mississippi culture. The celebration begins with an outdoor festival featuring local vendors, artisans, and food booths, showcasing Gulf Coast crafts, cuisine, and small businesses.

The event continues with a patriotic parade rolling through downtown, honoring our community’s spirit and service. The parade includes local families, civic groups, youth organizations, veterans, military personnel, and a selected Grand Marshal, reflecting the values of pride, unity, and gratitude.

Following the parade, the city will host a block party with live music, highlighting Mississippi musicians and bringing residents together in a joyful, shared experience. The evening culminates with a fireworks show on the beach, where families and friends gather along the shoreline, on boats, and throughout downtown to watch the display over the Gulf, a tradition that brings generations together and celebrates the place we call home.

This full-day celebration strengthens community connections, supports local vendors and artists, and honors the cultural traditions that define Long Beach and Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.

America250 Mississippi: Columbia Freedom Festival
2026-06-27 14:00 - 22:00 | 622 Main St, Columbia, MS 39429, USA, 622 Main St, Columbia, MS, 39429, United States
The Columbia Freedom Festival is a premier Fourth of July celebration designed to bring together families, visitors, and communities from across the Gulf South for a day of patriotism, entertainment, and connection. Hosted by the City of Columbia, this annual event transforms downtown into a vibrant destination filled with live music, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and a powerful celebration of American heritage. From the energy of the Liberty Stage to the charm of the Americana Market, every detail is designed to create an experience that is both memorable and meaningful. More than just a festival, this event reflects the spirit of Columbia—welcoming, proud, and rooted in tradition—while positioning the city as a regional destination for Independence Day celebrations. As an official partner event of Freedom250, the Columbia Freedom Festival is part of a larger national movement honoring 250 years of American independence, making it not only a celebration of today—but a tribute to the legacy that built it. Whether you’re here for the music, the food, the fireworks, or the community, the Columbia Freedom Festival is where tradition meets experience—and where freedom is celebrated together.

America250 Mississippi - We the People
2026-06-27 17:00 - 20:00 | 510 North Main Street, Poplarville, MS, USA, 510 North Main Street, Poplarville, MS, 39470, United States
Golf Cart and Bicycle Parade ending at Town Green. Patriotic music playing throughout the event from the Town Green stage. Food trucks. I Spy a Hometown Hero scavenger hunt on the Town Green. Coloring contest divided into Pre-K-2, 3rd-5th grades. Storytelling. Artisan vendors.

America250 Mississippi - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
2026-06-27 17:00 - 21:00 | Old Trace Park, 422 Post Rd, Ridgeland, MS, 39157, United States
Come celebrate America 250 as Rez Life presents a patriotic good time with Fireworks on June 27th on the banks of two Reservoir locations simultaneously, complete with Live Music, Food & Beer Vendors, and Kid Zones. Rezidents and visitors can choose between our Old Trace Park in Ridgeland or Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore on the Rankin County side. Fireworks at 9 with patriotic music playing on MIX 98.7. Sponsored by WJTV, Dijio Strategies, Wilco General Contractors, and a special thank you to Kathryn’s Restaurant for your help in making this event Great. This official America 250 project was made by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council through support from the State of Mississippi.
Free Admission, so please be cautious of people selling tickets.No Outside Food or Beverage and NO TENTSPet FriendlyOld Trace Park: https://goo.gl/maps/LQzEpHHhyutEDtRo7(parking at Madison Landing)Lakeshore Park: https://goo.gl/maps/qks1dAxunz2JPdNR6(parking at soccer fields and YMCA)

America250 Mississippi - Star Spangled Celebration on the River
2026-07-02 18:00 - 22:00 | Chain Park in Hattiesburg, 5619 Hwy 42, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, United States
This year’s Star Spangled Celebration on the River is going to be bigger, more meaningful, and more patriotic than ever as we celebrate America’s 250th! We are excited to officially launch this year’s celebration at Petal River Park and Chain Park alongside our incredible partners. This year also introduces our new Red, White, Blue and a Healthy You campaign in partnership with Forrest Health! A campaign focused on honoring veterans, promoting preventative health, encouraging activity, and bringing our community together in a special way. Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with live music, family fun, patriotic moments, an AMAZING FIREWORK SHOW, and a celebration our community will never forget. Made possible in part through grants from the Mississippi Humanities Council and America250MS.

America250 Mississippi - Celebrating America 250 and Taylorsville's 125th Anniversary
2026-07-03 12:00 - 17:00 | Taylorsville Train Depot, Hydell St, Taylorsville, MS, 39168, United States
BIG NEWS- 4th of July Weekend CelebrationThe Taylorsville Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce our AMERICA 250 – 4th of July Weekend Celebration as we celebrate not only America’s 250th birthday… but also Taylorsville’s 125th Anniversary. This is going to be more than fireworks and festivities.This weekend is about history, hometown pride, community, music, memories, and celebrating the place we call home. TWO DAYS OF CELEBRATION LIVE MUSIC HISTORICAL DISPLAYS KIDS BIKE PARADE FOOD TRUCKS BEER TENT FIREWORKS SHOW…and so much more. FRIDAY, JULY 3RDTrain Depot | 12PM–5PMFeaturing local history, museum exhibits, walking tours, and live local music on the depot dock. SATURDAY, JULY 4THTown Park | 5PM–9PMLive music by The Band U.S., food, games, family fun, and fireworks to close out the night.We’ve been working behind the scenes for months to bring something truly special to Taylorsville — and we cannot wait to celebrate with all of you.Mark your calendars. Invite your people.This summer… Taylorsville is celebrating BIG.
**This official America250 project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the State of Mississippi.

America250 Mississippi - Stars, Stripes and Seafood
2026-07-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, 115 1st St, Biloxi, MS, 39530-4703, United States
Stars, Stripes and Seafood: Honoring Biloxi’s Seafood Founding Fathers
An America250 Celebration, July 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, 115 1st St.
Enjoy re-enactments from “The Five Founding Fathers of the Seafood Industry.”
Refreshments served. Free admission. Details: 228-435-6254
