Congressman Thompson Announces Institute of Museum and Library Services Awards to Jackson State University and Shape Up Mississippi

BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) is pleased to announce that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded two Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) to institutions in Mississippi.

Jackson State University has been awarded $317,039, for the project “Building the Capacity of the Margaret Walker Center: Improved and Expanded Access to Collections.” The Margaret Walker Center (MWC) at Jackson State University will move its archives to secure, environmentally controlled, temporary storage during building renovations and HVAC replacement made necessary due to severe storm damage in 2023. During this project, the MWC will build upon the HBCU History and Culture Access Consortium (HCAC), a digital humanities initiative with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in two ways: digitizing nearly 1,000 oral histories most threatened by the environmental challenges in Ayer Hall and transferring 35,000 items from a fee-based digital platform to an open-source program used in the HCAC. These efforts will guarantee long-term preservation and access to MWC's collections.

Shape Up Mississippi has been awarded $98,000, for the project “Collaborative Capacity Building: Cultural Connections and Bridging Heritage.” The Catfish Row Museum (CRM) will partner with the Mound Bayou Museum (MBM) to develop and expand public programs and exhibitions. Project activities include the creation of a short film, and two permanent timeline exhibits that highlight the contributions of Vicksburg and Mound Bayou during significant historical phases, such as the cotton plantation era, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. These exhibits will showcase community resilience and the shared history of both museums, emphasizing the narrative of cooperation that led to the founding of Mound Bayou by formerly enslaved people. Professional development workshops aimed at enhancing museum operations and management will be facilitated by experienced museum professionals in collaboration with local Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), specifically Jackson State University and Tougaloo College. This initiative aims to empower both museums, ensuring they effectively serve their communities while promoting a deeper understanding of their shared cultural heritage.

“These investments not only preserve and expand access to African American history and culture, but also strengthen the capacity of our local institutions to tell the stories that matter to our communities,” said Congressman Thompson. “Jackson State University and Shape Up Mississippi are doing vital work to safeguard history, empower communities, and ensure that future generations have access to these cultural treasures.”