It began as a small, in-house developed exhibit dedicated to sharing the story of one young boy, his short life and the legacy he left when he was murdered in 1955. Dr. Henry Outlaw, chair emeritus of the department of physical sciences at Delta State, and at the time, employed in the Delta Center for Culture and Learning, obtained grant support through the Mississippi Humanities Council to collect a series of oral histories in 2005, fifty years after murder. In the process, he set in motion a series of events that has brought Emmett Till and his story back to center stage for a new generation to discover, explore and understand civil rights, the atmosphere of Mississippi in the 1950’s and how one event could affect a legacy of change.
In 2007, Emily Jones, of the Delta State University Archives and Museum, used the interviews and documents uncovered through Dr. Outlaw’s research to create a traveling exhibit, which debuted in Tupelo. The exhibit was also funded by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council. Since 2007, the exhibit has visited over 32 cities and towns across the nation, been viewed by over 16,550 school children and community members and logged over 13,000 miles of travel.
For a few short weeks, the exhibit will be on display in the second floor east wing overlooking Court Street in the Roberts-LaForge Library.
In connection with the exhibit the following two lectures will be held in the Special Collections Room on the second of the Archives and Museum.
Jan. 25 at noon: Lunch & Learn by author Devery Anderson entitled “The Boy Who Never Died: The Story of Emmett Till Murder.” He is in the final stages of completing this manuscript and will read a selection from the work. He conducted his research using the University Archives’ resources.
Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m.: Lecture by Dr. Henry Outlaw entitled “Atticus Finch, Emmett Till and To Kill a Mockingbird.”
For information about the lectures or hosting the exhibit, contact Emily Jones, University Archivist at 662-846-4780.
