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Civil Rights exhibit comes to archives

"The Freedom Rides: Journey for Change” opens on Feb. 25 at the Charles W. Capps Jr. Archives & Museum.

Delta State University Archives & Museum will be hosting “The Freedom Rides: Journey for Change” traveling exhibit from Feb. 25 through Apr. 14. The display will be held in the main gallery of the Charles W. Capps, Jr. Archives and Museum Building.

According to University Archivist Emily Jones, “The Freedom Rides: Journey for Change” sheds light on one of the most prominent events in Civil Rights history. It embraces the struggles many individuals endured to create a society of equality. The exhibit includes images of the bombing of a Greyhound bus outside of Anniston, Ala., the journey from Montgomery to Jackson, Freedom Riders at the Greyhound bus station in Jackson, Miss., Freedom Riders at the Jackson airport, mug shots, and Freedom Riders going to trial in Jackson.

Many of the images were taken from the original film footage in the WLBT News Film Collection. A DVD of the original footage is included in the exhibit.

The display is part of the Mississippi Department of Archives & History traveling exhibits program. This program includes individuals of different cultural backgrounds journeying through the Deep South attempting to change practices that were legalized by the United States judicial system.

“I am also thrilled to be working with the university’s diversity committee in promoting its upcoming conference,” said Jones. “As with every exhibit we host, I hope that this provides an opportunity for reflection and thought on the impact of the Civil Rights movement in our community.”

“The Freedom Rides: Journey for Change” was sponsored by the following organizations: the MS Department of Archives & History, the Foundation of MS History, MS Humanities Council, MS Historical Records Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

The museum and exhibit are open to faculty, staff, students, researchers and the general public. For more information, visit www.deltastate.edu/academics/libraries/university-archives-museum.