The Vicksburg Massacres Remembrance

In one month, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, we will have a weekend dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Vicksburg Massacres. Creating the Vicksburg Massacres Remembrance has been a collaborative, community effort. The planners include Vicksburg National Military Park, Catfish Row Museum, Bethel AME Church, Becoming Beloved Community Episcopal Church MS, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and others.

The Remembrance Weekend: Friday

The December 6-8th weekend will begin Friday night at 5:30 at Bethel AME Church. We’ll have a free talk led by Dr. Albert Dorsey and Dr. Beth Kruse. Dr. Dorsey is assistant professor of history at Jackson State University and author of an upcoming book on the Vicksburg Massacres. Dr. Kruse is a Fellow with the Mellon Foundation in partnership with the Vicksburg National Park. These leading scholars will share how white citizens in Vicksburg overthrew the duly elected Warren County Sheriff Peter Crosby. Thereafter for months gangs rampaged through the county killing Black citizens. You can read about my personal interest in this horrific event. The doctors will discuss the continuing effects of this violence on us today.

Remembrance on Saturday and Sunday

Saturday morning at 10:00, VNMP will lead a Remembrance with a wreath-laying and libation ceremony at the Shirley House. The Shirley House is near the sites of many of the massacres. Sunday, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, a historically Black church, will host for the community a Remembering and Empowering Service. As part of this service, I have made Thumb Prayers. You can read here about the history of these small remembrances. Attendees can take the Thumb Prayers with us after the service to remind us of God’s presence in the world. I’ve included a pic of the Thumb Prayers below.

Remembrance in 2025

During 2025 Black History month, Catfish Row Museum will have additional offerings as part of the Vicksburg Bicentennial Celebration. The museum will create an in-depth timeline narrative on Sheriff Peter Crosby and the Civil War contributions of the US Colored Troops in Vicksburg. Plus, a series of interpretive signs related to the topic. Also in February, noted curator of research and genealogy Joyce Dixon-Lawson will present an African American genealogy workshop at the museum.

Also, and quite amazingly, Linda Fondren of Catfish Row Museum has secured Mississippi Department of History and Archives approval of a state historical marker for Sheriff Peter Crosby. The marker—contextualization for which was provided by Dr. Dorsey’s research—will be ready for a ceremony in the spring of 2025 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration. It is with deep gratitude I say the Warren County Board of Supervisors approved placing the marker on county property.