Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

During our Mississippi National Park Road Trip, we spent time at the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home. We stayed in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and used it as a base to explore this site and the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Make sure to check out our Ridgeland, MS, Trip Report to learn more about the area and the great sites that can be visited easily.

Is Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument worth visiting?

Yes! It is vitally important for us to remember the path towards racial equality and the Civil Rights struggle and how fragile our freedoms are. These sites bring to light some of the horrific crimes that occurred by using fear to oppress others because of racism.

Brief History of Medgar and Myrlie Evers

The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is a testament to America's enduring struggle for civil rights.

The National Monument commemorates the lives and legacies of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, two pivotal figures in the fight against racial injustice.

The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument not only protects and preserves the home of the Evers family but also the place where Medgar Evers was assassinated.

The Early Lives of Medgar & Myrlie Evers

Medgar Evers was born on July 2, 1925 in Decatur, Mississippi. Evers was educated in segregated schools, eventually joining the army in 1943.

Evers served in segregated units in Belgium, France, and England during World War II. While in France, he noted that the French did not care that he was an African American, and treated him as a fellow human.

When Evers left the army, he completed high school and enrolled in Alcorn State University.

While attending university, Evers became interested in activism, particularly in the fight to allow African Americans the right to vote.

While at Alcorn State University, Evers met Myrlie Beasley, and soon the pair were married.

When the pair married, they became partners in their activism. Myrlie Beasley, later Evers, was born in 1933 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

When Myrlie met Medgar, she was an honor student at Alcorn State University, studying education.

Medgar & Myrlie Evers and American Civil Rights

After leaving university, both Myrlie and Medgar Evers were employed by the Magnolia Mutual Insurance Company. Medgar worked as a salesman.

His job meant he traveled throughout the Mississippi Delta, and what he saw deeply disturbed him.

On his travels throughout the Delta, he witnessed fellow African Americans living in poverty without proper access to education, meaning that many of the people he encountered were illiterate.

Evers began attending meetings held by the founder of Magnolia Mutual Insurance, Dr. T. R. M. Howard.

Howard organized mass meetings to address the social injustices faced by African Americans.

Shortly after joining Magnolia Mutual Insurance, the Everses started to attend and arrange meetings.

Medgar & Myrlie Evers and the NAACP

In particular, Medgar Evers started forming local branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the Mississippi Delta region.

These branches were established to address the difficult circumstances and challenges African Americans in the Delta faced.

Medgar applied to study law at the University of Mississippi once segregated education was ruled unconstitutional, but his application was rejected.

Medgar's willingness to integrate into the oldest state university in Mississippi however, gained him the favor of the NAACP.

In 1955, Medgar Evers moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and was appointed as the first Field Secretary for the NAACP.

Medgar's became the first public face of the organization and its first salaried member in Mississippi.

Together, Medgar and Myrlie ran the NAACP office in Mississippi.

In his role as Field Secretary, Evers traveled across Mississippi, investigating and documenting instances of discrimination and often violence against African Americans.

Evers also traveled the state encouraging young people to vote. The Everses organized demonstrations, mass meetings, sit-ins, boycotts, and protests.

As the public face of the NAACP in Mississippi, Evers frequently participated in interviews and delivered speeches that garnered national attention.

Through press releases and interviews, Evers brought attention to the Civil Rights struggle in Mississippi.

The Evers House

The Evers bought the classic Ranch-style house that is now the Medgar & Myrlie Evers National Monument in 1956.

Here, they raised their three children, while their home became an extension of the NAACP.

At the end of each day, the Everses would return home, and continue their work.

The Everses opened their home to other Civil Rights activists and protected those who were under threat from White Supremacist Groups.

When they bought the house, the couple discussed the possibility of an attack occurring at their home, given the nature of their work and the publicity they received.

To protect themselves and their family, they did not put a front door in their home, instead, the entrance was on the side of the house underneath the carport.

When they furnished their home, they placed furniture in front of windows, to protect them from possible gunshots.

Medgar and Myrlie Evers even taught their children how to maneuver through the house to the bathroom should they be attacked.

The Evers received several death threats that would be delivered to their house in the mail, or via the telephone.

They were right to fear their home being attacked, as in 1963, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into their carport.

After this incident the Everses did not sleep on beds, but on mattresses on the floor away from the windows.

The Assassination of Medgar Evers at the Medgar & Myrlie Evers National Monument

On June 12, 1963, after returning home from a meeting, Medgar Evers was shot while standing in the carport of his home.

Evers was shot by white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. His death is considered the first martyr to the 1960s Civil Rights Monvent.

After the death of her husband, Myrlie, although grieving, spoke out about her husband's murder, bringing awareness to the Civil Rights Movement.

The assassination of Medgar Evers helped to garner attention to the movement and subsequently helped to pass the Civil Rights Bill of 1964.

Myrlie moved her family to California after several mistrials during her husband's murder trial.

Sadly justice for the assassination of Medgar Evers would only occur 31 years later.

While in California, Myrlie finished her degree, started a corporate career, and entered politics.

Myrlie continued to be a part of the NAACP, becoming the organization's Chairperson in 1995.

Myrlie founded the Medgar Evers Institute, now the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, after her term as chairperson, which encourages community engagement and learning.

Things to know before your visit

The park is still a park in progress with future plans including a park Visitor Center. Make sure to plan ahead if you plan on touring the home as times are limited.

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument Entrance fee

This park is a fee-free park year-round. There is no fee or pass required.

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Time Zone

(CDT) Central Standard Time

Pets 

Pets are allowed within the park as long as they are physically restrained by a leash of 6 feet or less, all animal waste must be removed and disposed of in a trash receptacle and pets are prohibited in park buildings.

Cell Service

Cellular service is good in the City of Jackson Mississippi.

Park Hours

 Medgar and Myrlie Evers House is open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, 2:00 pm-4:00  pm. 

Myrlie's Garden is open from sunrise to sunset

Wi-Fi

There is no public WIFI available at the park.

Insect Repellent

Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water. 

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. 

Water Bottle 

Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

Parking

Parking is extremely limited in front of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers home. It is recommended to park at Myrlie's Garden just down the road at the Missouri Street Intersection. 

Food/Restaurants

There is no food./restaurants in the park but there are numerous options in the city of Jackson,  Mississippi.

Gas

There is no gas in the park but there are numerous options in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Drones

Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.

National Park Passport Stamps

National Park Passport stamps can be found in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson,  Mississippi. There is also stamps available at the Medgar and Myrlie Evers home when it is open. 

Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us. 

Electric Vehicle Charging

There are several charging stations available in Jackson, Mississippi.

Date Established 

February 16, 2017, The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home became a National Monument in the National Park Service.

Visitation 

In 2023, Medgar and Myrlie Evers home National Monument had 59,542 park visitors. 

In 2022,  Medgar and Myrlie Evers home National Monument had 11,231 park visitors. 

In 2021,  Medgar and Myrlie Evers home National Monument had 1,034 park visitors. 

Learn more about the most visited and least visited National Parks in the US

National Park Address

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home:

2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive

Jackson, MS. 39213

Mailing Address:

1425 Lelia Dr. Ste. A

Jackson, MS. 39216

National Park Map

 Estimated Distance to nearby National Parks

Hot Springs National Park is 297 miles, 4 hours and 50 minutes away

Where is the National Park Visitor Center?

Currently, there is no visitor center for the park. The cancellation stamp and lots of great information is available at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum located at 222 North St. #2205 Jackson, MS. 36201.

Getting to the Park

Closest Airport

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) 

100 International Dr. Ste 300 Jackson, MS. 39208

Airlines include American, Delta, Southwest, and United.

Driving Directions

If traveling on I-20 

Take Exit 41 and follow I-220/US49 North.

Take Exit for 4.5 miles, then Exit 5A for Medgar Evers Boulevard.

Go 1.5 miles, then turn onto Ridgeway St.

In .1 mile, turn right onto Missouri St.

Turn left onto Margaret W Alexander Dr.

The park will be on your left.

If traveling on I-55 from Memphis

Take exit 98A toward Woodrow Wilson Dr.

Drive 1.9 miles and use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Medgar Evers Boulevard.

Drive 1.1 miles then take a sharp right onto Summit Drive then take an immediate left onto Marydell St.

The park will be on your left.

If Traveling on I-55 from New Orleans

Take exit 92C to merge onto I-20W/US 49N

Drive 2.8 miles and keep right at the fork to continue on US 49N following the signs for I-220N. for Jackson/Yazoo City.

Drive .4 miles and continue onto I-220N.

Drive 4.6 miles then take Exit 5A for Medgar Evers Boulevard.

Use the right two lanes to turn right  onto Medgar Evers Boulevard.

Drive 1.1 mile then take a sharp right onto Summit Drive then take an immediate left turn onto Marydell  Street.

The park will be on your left.

 

Best time to visit 

Myrlie's Garden is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. I recommend trying to arrive to tour the home. Currently, the home is open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. 

Weather and Seasons

The weather in Jackson, Mississippi, typically varies between 37 degrees F and 93 degrees F and receives 55 inches of rain annually. That's right, carry an umbrella because there are an average of 104 days a year with rain.

The summers are hot and muggy, while the winters are cold and wet.

The best times to visit Jackson are from mid-April through early June and from Early September to mid-October.

Things to do at Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

Visit Myrlie's Garden. There are picnic tables, a shaded pavilion, interpretative panels, and a community garden.

Tour Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home

Visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson. You can also get your park cancellation stamp here!

Visit the Margaret Walker Center and COFO Civil Rights Education Center, managed by Jackson State University.

Explore other National Park sites in the area!

Junior Ranger Program 

The junior ranger program can be picked up while visiting the park. They have an amazing junior ranger badge!

Where to stay when visiting 

There are no National Park Lodges, cabins, or Yurts within the park.

Nearby Lodging includes:

Click on the map above to see current vacation rentals and lodges near the park.

 

Camping

There are no campgrounds at Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.

For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen areas with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando.

Additional Resources

Champions of Change, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Quest for Equality and Impact by Evelyn Stanton (Great price on Kindle)

Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reid

Additional National Park System Sites Near Medgerr and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Vicksburg National  Military Park - Complete Guide to explore Vicksburg National Military Park

Natchez National Historical Park -  Complete guide to Natchez Historical Park in Natchez,  Mississippi

Poverty Point National Monument - Complete Guide to Poverty Point in Louisiana

Check out all of the National Parks in Mississippi along with neighboring National Parks in Alabama, National Parks in Arkansas, Louisiana National Parks, and Tennessee National Parks.