Toys & Games
In the Cold War lesson, students had seven seconds to grab five of these from a table to stock a fallout shelter.
What are supplies? (flashlights, batteries, etc.)
"How Blue Can You Get" and "The Thrill is Gone" are two 60's songs by this king of the blues who was born in Itta Bena but claims Indianola as his hometown.
Who is BB King?
On display in Gallery 4, the personal effects, such as a money clip, a pocket calendar, and _____ are from this piece of furniture that belonged to this man killed in his driveway in 1963.
What is Medgar Evers' desk?
This Mississippi sharecropper from Sunflower County said, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Who is Fannie Lou Hamer?
This 1954 Supreme Court decision desegregating American schools was called "Black Monday" in Mississippi when it was announced
What is Brown vs. Board of Ed?
This twisting plastic toy, introduced in 1958, was still a playground staple in the 1960s — and if you couldn't keep it on your hips, everyone did laugh at you.
What is the hula hoop?
This 1960 dance hit by Chubby Checker got its name from the twisting motion of the dancer's hips — no partner required.
What is the twist?
In the Red Scare / Citizens' Council lessons, this everyday clothing item was pointed to as the visual signature of the "uptown Klan" — men who wore respectability as their disguise.
What is a necktie?
The sentence written on the board during the Cold War lesson, referenced again in the Red Scare and Citizens' Council lessons — completes this way: "Americans are afraid. And fear is a powerful _____."
What is a weapon/tool?
On May 28, 1963, a group of Tougaloo College students sat down at this Jackson, Mississippi department store's whites-only lunch counter and refused to leave for nearly three hours.
What is Woolworths?
In the Red Scare lesson game, the students holding papers with this shape inside were the "communists."
What is an X?
Before Dr. King arrived in Memphis in 1968, this civil rights anthem — adapted from an old gospel hymn — was the song most sung at sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and marches across the South.
What is "We Shall Overcome?"
In Gallery 5, this full-scale vehicle sits inside the gallery, marked with mugshots and reminders of what happened to Freedom Riders who boarded integrated buses across state lines in 1961.
What is a paddy wagon?
In Gallery 5, the wall quote that names the entire gallery — "This is a tremor in the middle of the iceberg, from a stone that the builders rejected" — came from this SNCC organizer.
Who is Bob Moses?
In 1961, Freedom Riders arriving in Jackson were arrested and sent to this Mississippi state prison — where they were given mugshots, paddled, and given bread that they turned into chess pieces.
What is Parchman Prison?
This 1960 board game, where players navigated careers, marriage, and retirement by spinning a wheel, became a hit after a redesign by Milton Bradley's 100th anniversary team.
What is the Game of Life/Life?
This 1965 song by Sam Cooke, released after his death, begins with "I was born by the river" and also includes the line "it's been a long, long time coming."
What is "A Change is Gonna Come?"
Freedom Riders in Parchman Prison were given this item, which they turned into one of the most unlikely objects, a chess board, and was used by those same prisoners to pass the time.
What is bread?
Writing about the Woolworth's counter sit-in in her 1968 memoir, this Tougaloo student and activist described staying at the counter while the mob beat her
Who is Anne Moody?
Before the Freedom Summer project of 1964, COFO ran this 1963 mock election to prove Black Mississippians wanted to vote — and more than 80,000 participated.
What is the Freedom Vote?
This 1960 board game, where players navigated careers, marriage, and retirement by spinning a wheel, became a hit after a redesign by Milton Bradley's 100th anniversary team.
Who is Al Clayton?
This Temptations song from 1964 — the Motown anchor track in camp — uses extended metaphor compliments like "you're the sweetest thing this side of heaven."
What is "The Way You Do That Thing You Do?"
In Gallery 5, you will find this monogrammed artifact that belonged to R. Jess Brown, Medgar Evers attorney, who was one of three black civil rights lawyers working in the state during this time.
What is a briefcase?
This politician's campaign line — spoken directly to women voters — told them that if they wanted a career, they should pursue one. Let's just say she knew her audience.
Who is Evelyn Gandy?
His home and store were firebombed in January 1966 when the Klan tried to stop him from helping Black Mississippians register to vote. You can see his wrecked car on display in the museum.
Who is Vernon Dahmer?