JANS – On June 4, the renowned M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge joined the Mississippi Freedom Trail. Organized by the Mississippi Humanities Council, Visit Jackson, and Visit Mississippi, an unveiling ceremony took place as part of the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge Homecoming activities. 

The M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge holds deep significance as a sanctuary for Masons in Jackson and played a vital role in the Jackson Civil Rights Movement. Over the years, it became the headquarters for prominent civil rights organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and other Mississippi civil rights groups. The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party held a momentous conference where delegates were chosen to represent the party at the 1964 Democratic Convention.  

The Lodge also holds a special place in the legacy of Medgar W. Evers, as it served as his second office in Jackson while he worked as the field secretary for the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP.   

“Expanding the Mississippi Freedom Trail to include the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge is a significant step in preserving and honoring our state’s civil rights heritage,” says John Spann, MHC program and outreach officer. “We are not only recognizing the pivotal role the Lodge played in the Jackson Civil Rights Movement but also ensuring that future generations can learn from and be inspired by the brave men and women who fought for equality and justice. It is a powerful reminder that the struggle for freedom is a collective endeavor, and by expanding the Freedom Trail, we are expanding our commitment to truth, education, and the ongoing pursuit of civil rights for all.”

The next Mississippi Freedom Trail marker will be unveiled July 7, 2023 in Pass Christian, MS in honor of Lawrence Guyot.