60 years ago, on June 12, 1963 tragedy struck the Evers family and the neighborhood of Jackson's North Street when white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith shot and killed Medgar Evers in the driveway of his house. This gruesome assassination forever changed the Evers family, the Jackson community, and the Civil Rights movement. In the decades since, Medgar's legacy has lived on, inspiring thousands to continue the quest for equal civil rights, fair treatment, and social justice. From June 9th, 2023 through June 12, 2023 the National Park Service, in partnership with the National Park Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, and the Trust for Public Land, will honor the legacy of Medgar Evers, and the lifelong contributions of this family through a series of public events. In addition the following local partners are hosting events throughout the community during this important period of reflection. Click the name of each partner to be linked to additional information. As events get finalized, updates will be posted to this website and social media. Please bookmark this site, or use quicklink go.nps.gov/Evers60 for quick access. Schedule of EventsFrom June 9 through June 12, 2023, join National Park Service Rangers at the Medgar and Myrlie Evers' Home and their garden plot for a variety of rememberance events including ranger talks, children's activities, educational displays, and film showings. Additional programming is being offered by the Medgar and Myrlie Evers' Institute and the City of Jackson.Use the drop-down menus below for an explanation of the listed events. June 9:
Description of Events Free ranger-led tours will leave the Stringer Lodge, and tour relevant sites in Jackson that are important to the life of Medgar Evers. Shuttles will bring visitors to the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument for optional house tours. Park at Jackson State University.
Budget 1 hour round trip minimum for the shuttle tour and house tour. Last bus departs Stringer Lodge at 5pm, last bus departs Myrlie's Garden at 5:45pm Medgar and Myrlie Evers house will be open for public viewing June 9-12th from 10am to 6pm. All tours will start at Myrlie's Garden on Missouri Street, a short walk from the house.Those visitors who are on the shuttle tour will be dropped off at Myrlie's Garden, and picked up after the house tour. Those not arriving on the shuttle will join the tours at Myrlie's Garden Site. Parking will be limited, and follow direction of park rangers on site.
Rangers will provide an orientation to the home and the story of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, and visitors will be allowed to explore the house on their own. A ranger will be in the house to answer questions, followed by a conclusion with a park ranger after the tour. A handicapped ramp provides access to the house, however the house is small and relatively confined. Tours are free, and will leave every 20 minutes from Myrlie's Garden. Tour groups will be limited to 12 people. Join Park Rangers at Myrlie's Garden Site for park information, Junior Ranger activities, and information about the development of Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. Staffed daily 9am-6pm.
Join Park Rangers at the Medgar Evers Branch of the Jackson/HInds Library System to discover relevant books and childrens activities. Rangers will be present 10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm.
Address: 4215 Medgar Evers Blvd, Jackson, MS 39213 Meet park rangers at the Medgar Evers Library, a branch of the Jackson/Hinds Library System to help clean the Medgar Evers Statue, plant new flowers, and provide general cleanup of the area. Supplies will be provided by the National Parks Conservation Association. Event begins at 9am.
Join representatives of the National Park Service at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to learn about youth programming, grant writing, resume writing, and the Rivers and Trails Conservation Program.
Programs Include: Mary Shell - Grants Management Specialist, STLPG-NPS Learn about the various grant programs managed by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants Division of the National Park Service. Applications are currently open for our Underrepresented Communities and History of Equal Rights grant programs and the African American Civil Rights grant program is scheduled to be open this summer. Trevino Henderson- Human Resources Specalist- Learn about how federal jobs work, how to apply, and the benefits of federal employment. Join the National Park Service, community members, and members of the Evers family to mark the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Medgar Evers. Event begins at 10am. Park at Jackson State University and use free shuttle to access event site at Myrlie's Garden.
On June 12th, the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Medgar Evers, his home will be open for silent walk-throughs from 12pm - 6pm. Walk-throughs will begin at Myrlie's Garden. Parking is limited, and free shuttles will be running from Jacskon State University.
A handicapped ramp accesses the buidling, however the inside of the buidling is small. Oral History ProjectOral historians from the cultural resources management company New South Associates will be present during the commemoration events and have an opportunity for those with knowledge about the history of Medgar Evers, the civil rights movement in Jackson, and the history of the Elraine community to have their interviews professionally recorded. These videos will become part of National Park Service archives and may be used for future interpretation of the national monument. If you would like to schedule an interview in advance or for more information, please contact Velma Fann, (770) 498-4155 (ext. 126).We will be holding the interviews Thursday June 8 (9AM-4PM), Friday June 9 (9-4), Saturday June 10 (9-12), Monday June 12 (9-4) in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building in downtown Jackson, Mississippi, at 200 North Street in the Orientation Room on the first floor. ParkingParking at Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is extremely limited, and will be reserved for those with mobility challenges. All others should park at Jackson State University and use free shuttles to access the site.First shuttle run will be at 9am, and final departure from Jackson State University will be 6pm June 9 through June 12. Parking lot address is: 1042 John R. Lynch St, Jackson MS, 39203, located across the street from COFO and adjacent to the Stringer Lodge. |
Last updated: June 10, 2023