Meridian in Lauderdale County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Freedom School

Meridian Civil Rights Trail

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 3, 2017

1. Freedom School Marker

Inscription. In the summer of 1964, dozens of Freedom Schools opened across Mississippi. The largest was located at Meridian Baptist Seminary. It provided additional education opportunities to the African-American community and hosted the statewide Freedom School Convention. The building was destroyed by fire in 2007.

Erected 2014 by the Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau. (Marker Number 14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Meridian, Mississippi Civil Rights Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. 32° 22.368′ N, 88° 42.572′ W. Marker is in Meridian, Mississippi, in Lauderdale County. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and 16th Street, on the right when traveling north on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is also known as 31st Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1525 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Meridian MS 39301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Mississippi. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wechsler School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Wechsler School (about 400 feet away); Carnegie Branch Library for Blacks

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Impact of Churches (approx. 0.3 miles away); Whitfield "Big Central" High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dial House Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Merrehope (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Merrehope (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meridian.

Former location of this Freedom School near marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 3, 2017

2. Former location of this Freedom School near marker.

All that is remaining is the concrete staircase to the former school location on the hill. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 3, 2017

3. All that is remaining is the concrete staircase to the former school location on the hill.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.