NEH "Most Southern Place" July Workshop: Day 5

On Friday, the Most Southern Place on Earth workshop headed to Memphis, Tennessee. Along the way, the group stopped in Clarksdale to visit the Greyhound Bus Station and witness the physical remainders of Jim Crow: separate waiting rooms that once divided black and white passengers. After arriving in Memphis, participants went first to the Cotton Museum, then to the Stax Museum, dedicated to Stax Records and the soul music it cultivated. The group split in two for lunch at Central BBQ and Lyfe Kitchen before reuniting at the National Museum of Civil Rights at the Lorraine Motel. The evening concluded with the traditional march of the ducks at the Peabody Hotel.

Click "Read more" above to see photos and explore a more detailed account of the day.

NEH "Most Southern Place" July Workshop: Day 4

The Most Southern Place workshop continued this Thursday. The day began with a driving tour of Mound Bayou, including stops at the Taborian Hospital and T.R.M. Howard's Freedom Trail marker. Next came a stop at Po' Monkey's, where participants learned about the central role juke joints played in Delta culture. After a brief break, civil rights leader Charles McLaurin shared his experiences with the group. The afternoon focused on the story of Emmett Till through several sessions: a panel featuring Emmett's cousin, a trip to the Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center, and a stop at Bryant's Grocery. Finally, the group paid their respects at one of three graves attributed to blues legend Robert Johnson.

Click "Read more" above to see photos and explore a more detailed account of the day.