The catfish row museum (CRM) will partner with the mound bayou museum (MBM) to develop and expand public programs and exhibitions

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded $102,000 through the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program (CFDA 45.309) to Shape Up Mississippi, effective October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2027. The award supports a collaborative initiative between the Catfish Row Museum (CRM) and Mound Bayou Museum (MBM) to develop and expand public programming and exhibitions. Primary deliverables include the production of a short film and two permanent timeline exhibits that document the historical contributions of Vicksburg and Mound Bayou across significant periods including the cotton plantation era, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights movement. The exhibits will emphasize community resilience and the founding narrative of Mound Bayou by formerly enslaved people.

In addition to exhibition development, the grant funds professional development workshops conducted in collaboration with Jackson State University and Tougaloo College to enhance museum operations and management capabilities. These capacity-building activities are designed to strengthen institutional operations at both museums while deepening public understanding of their shared cultural heritage and community history.

Project activities include the creation of a short film, and two permanent timeline exhibits that highlight the contributions of vicksburg and mound bayou during significant historical phases, such as the cotton plantation ERA, slavery, the civil war, reconstruction, and the civil rights movement. These exhibits will showcase community resilience and the shared history of both museums, emphasizing the narrative of cooperation that led to the founding of mound bayou by formerly enslaved people. Professional development workshops aimed at enhancing museum operations and management will be facilitated by experienced museum professionals in collaboration with local historically black colleges and universities (HBCUS), specifically jackson state university and tougaloo college. This initiative aims to empower both museums, ensuring they effectively serve their communities while promoting a deeper understanding of their shared cultural heritage.