Mississippi celebrated the culmination of it's 200th anniversary with the opening of two new museums in the Capitol City.
Cold temperatures didn't stop hundreds of people from gathering for the opening ceremony of the new Museum of Mississippi History and the Civil Rights Museum in Jackson. They are two distinct museums under one roof. The history museum covers 15,000 years and the civil rights museum focuses on 1945 to 1976. Governor Phil Bryant talked about President Donald Trump's impressions of the museums.
"As he peered around the room at the exhibits. The president said Phil ya'll have done something great here. I said Mr. President, they have done something great here long ago," said Bryant.
Myrlie Evers, the widow of slain Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers, says exhibits about the movement brought back memories.
"I wept because I felt the blows. I felt the bullets. I felt the tears. I felt the cries. But I also felt the hope that dwelt in the heart of all those people and those children," said Evers.
Former Governor William Winter, who turns 95 on his next birthday, says the museums weave together the stories of all Mississippians.
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"We've gone through some very dark times. But today I have never been prouder to be a Mississippian," said Winter.
Rebecca Wiggs of Jackson toured the museums after the ceremony.
"The artifacts are amazing. It's almost overwhelming I've said to several friends," said Wiggs.
Charlene Boykin of Jackson says there's a lot of civil rights history she didn't know.
"This is something that will take me several trips down just to get the full effect because there's so much knowledge," said Boykin.
The state has committed $90 million to the project. Nineteen million in private funds have been raised.
