(2/4/26) Community update: due to ice storm damage, the Mound Bayou Museum of African American Culture and History is temporarily closed while preservation work is underway. Original materials were affected and are being protected. Plans are in progress for a temporary reopening at the former John F. Kennedy High School. The museum is not yet open. Updates soon.
**Mound Bayou: A Beacon of Hope Amid Adversity**
In the face of racial segregation and widespread prejudice during the early 1900s, Mound Bayou, one of the first all-African-American cities, defied the odds to become a symbol of resilience and determination. President Theodore Roosevelt's recognition of Mound Bayou as the "Jewel of the Delta" was a testament to the town's exceptional journey, embodying values of hard work, self-reliance, and unity. The Mound Bayou Museum proudly preserves this legacy, celebrating a community that triumphed over adversity and serves as a beacon of hope for all.