Welcome to MENDENHALL, MS
200th Birthday
Simpson County Bicentennial Kick-Off Event
Birthday Celebration January 27, 2024 Simpson County Courthouse Mendenhall, MS |
1974-Present DAy
Festivities begin Saturday, June 15, 2024. Events take place, daily, until Jul 4, 2024, at the Time Capsule Grand Finale.
Check the Bicentennial Calendar of Events, and subscribe to the Bicentennial Newsletter, for up to date information. |
Grand Finale
9:00A.M.
July 4, 2024 Simpson County Courthouse Mendenhall, MS |
Simpson County Bicentennial birthday celebration
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Mendenhall's Simpson County Bicentennial EVENTS
SATURDAY, June 15, 2024
"History of the Blues in Mississippi"
10a.m.
Simpson County Historical & genealogical Society
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MAIN STREET DANCE ~ 6:00P.M.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 6;00P.M.
celebration of civil rights in simpson county
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Dr. Scottye Holloway, of the Simpson County Bicentennial Committee, is bringing us together on June 21, 2024 at 6p.m., at the Magee Auditorium, for a presentation highlighting Civil Rights and where we are today, in Simpson County. After the presentation, a Discussion Panel will get the conversation started.
Special musical guests, Minnie Holloway. Panelist: Dolphus Weary Suzanne Keys Kathy Pruitt Jonie Perkins and more! |
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REDEMPTION - THE JOHN M. PERKINS STORY, A DOCUMENTARY OF CIVIL RIGHTS, JUSTICE, FAMILY & FORGIVENESS.
PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY GREG FROMHOLZ
JOHN M. PERKINS (BORN JUNE 16, 1930, NEW HEBRON, MS) IS AN AMERICAN CHRISTIAN MINISTER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, AND AUTHOR. HE IS THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE JOHN & VERA MAE PERKINS FOUNDATION WITH HIS WIFE, VERA MAE PERKINS. HE IS CO-FOUNDER OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (CCDA).
IN 1960, PERKINS MOVED WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN FROM CALIFORNIA TO MENDENHALL, MISSISSIPPI, WHICH NEIGHBORS HIS CHILDHOOD HOMETOWN OF NEW HEBRON.[4] THERE, IN 1964, HE ESTABLISHED VOICE OF CALVARY BIBLE INSTITUTE.[5][6]
IN MENDENHALL, VERA MAE STARTED RUNNING A DAY-CARE CENTER FROM THEIR HOME THAT FROM 1966 TO 1968 BECAME PART OF THE FEDERALLY FUNDED HEAD START PROGRAM.[7]
IN 1965, PERKINS SUPPORTED VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS IN SIMPSON COUNTY, AND IN 1967 HE BECAME INVOLVED IN SCHOOL DESEGREGATION WHEN HE ENROLLED HIS SON SPENCER IN THE PREVIOUSLY ALL-WHITE MENDENHALL HIGH SCHOOL.[6][8]
IN THE FALL OF 1969, PERKINS BECAME THE LEADER IN AN ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF WHITE-OWNED STORES IN MENDENHALL. ON FEBRUARY 7, 1970, FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF STUDENTS WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN A PROTEST MARCH IN MENDENHALL, PERKINS WAS ARRESTED AND TORTURED BY WHITE POLICE OFFICERS IN BRANDON JAIL.[2][6][9]
IN 1976, HE PUBLISHED A BOOK, A QUIET REVOLUTION: THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO HUMAN NEED, A STRATEGY FOR TODAY, WHICH OUTLINED HIS RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY, REVOLVING AROUND THE "THREE RS" — RELOCATION, REDISTRIBUTION AND RECONCILIATION.[10]
BY THE MID-SEVENTIES, VOICE OF CALVARY, JACKSON AND MENDENHALL MINISTRIES WERE OPERATING THRIFT STORES, HEALTH CLINICS, A HOUSING COOPERATIVE, AND CLASSES IN BIBLE AND THEOLOGY. PERKINS WAS IN DEMAND AS A SPEAKER IN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES, COLLEGES, AND CONVENTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.[5][6]
IN 1982, THE PERKINS LEFT VOICE OF CALVARY MINISTRIES TO RETURN TO CALIFORNIA, WHERE THEY FOUNDED HARAMBEE CHRISTIAN FAMILY CENTER, NOW CALLED HARAMBEE MINISTRIES, IN NORTHWEST PASADENA.[5]
IN 1989, PERKINS FOUNDED THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (CCDA), A NETWORK OF EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN DEPRIVED URBAN SETTINGS.[6][11] CCDA SOUGHT TO INVITE EVANGELICALS INTO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS.[12]
AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS SON SPENCER IN 1998, PERKINS ESTABLISHED THE SPENCER PERKINS CENTER, THE YOUTH ARM OF THE JOHN M. PERKINS FOUNDATION.[13] IT HAS DEVELOPED YOUTH PROGRAMS SUCH AS AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING, SUMMER ARTS CAMP, JUNIOR AND COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, GOOD NEWS BIBLE CLUB, YOUNG LIFE AND JUBILEE YOUTH GARDEN. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HAS A HOUSING ARM, ZECHARIAH 8, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-TO-MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON SINGLE MOTHERS.[14]
ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2016, PERKINS BECAME PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE JOHN & VERA MAE PERKINS FOUNDATION AS HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, ELIZABETH, PRISCILLA, AND DEBORAH PERKINS, BECAME CO-PRESIDENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION.[15][16]
WIKIPEDIA ~
IN 1960, PERKINS MOVED WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN FROM CALIFORNIA TO MENDENHALL, MISSISSIPPI, WHICH NEIGHBORS HIS CHILDHOOD HOMETOWN OF NEW HEBRON.[4] THERE, IN 1964, HE ESTABLISHED VOICE OF CALVARY BIBLE INSTITUTE.[5][6]
IN MENDENHALL, VERA MAE STARTED RUNNING A DAY-CARE CENTER FROM THEIR HOME THAT FROM 1966 TO 1968 BECAME PART OF THE FEDERALLY FUNDED HEAD START PROGRAM.[7]
IN 1965, PERKINS SUPPORTED VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS IN SIMPSON COUNTY, AND IN 1967 HE BECAME INVOLVED IN SCHOOL DESEGREGATION WHEN HE ENROLLED HIS SON SPENCER IN THE PREVIOUSLY ALL-WHITE MENDENHALL HIGH SCHOOL.[6][8]
IN THE FALL OF 1969, PERKINS BECAME THE LEADER IN AN ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF WHITE-OWNED STORES IN MENDENHALL. ON FEBRUARY 7, 1970, FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF STUDENTS WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN A PROTEST MARCH IN MENDENHALL, PERKINS WAS ARRESTED AND TORTURED BY WHITE POLICE OFFICERS IN BRANDON JAIL.[2][6][9]
IN 1976, HE PUBLISHED A BOOK, A QUIET REVOLUTION: THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO HUMAN NEED, A STRATEGY FOR TODAY, WHICH OUTLINED HIS RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY, REVOLVING AROUND THE "THREE RS" — RELOCATION, REDISTRIBUTION AND RECONCILIATION.[10]
BY THE MID-SEVENTIES, VOICE OF CALVARY, JACKSON AND MENDENHALL MINISTRIES WERE OPERATING THRIFT STORES, HEALTH CLINICS, A HOUSING COOPERATIVE, AND CLASSES IN BIBLE AND THEOLOGY. PERKINS WAS IN DEMAND AS A SPEAKER IN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES, COLLEGES, AND CONVENTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.[5][6]
IN 1982, THE PERKINS LEFT VOICE OF CALVARY MINISTRIES TO RETURN TO CALIFORNIA, WHERE THEY FOUNDED HARAMBEE CHRISTIAN FAMILY CENTER, NOW CALLED HARAMBEE MINISTRIES, IN NORTHWEST PASADENA.[5]
IN 1989, PERKINS FOUNDED THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (CCDA), A NETWORK OF EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN DEPRIVED URBAN SETTINGS.[6][11] CCDA SOUGHT TO INVITE EVANGELICALS INTO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS.[12]
AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS SON SPENCER IN 1998, PERKINS ESTABLISHED THE SPENCER PERKINS CENTER, THE YOUTH ARM OF THE JOHN M. PERKINS FOUNDATION.[13] IT HAS DEVELOPED YOUTH PROGRAMS SUCH AS AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING, SUMMER ARTS CAMP, JUNIOR AND COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, GOOD NEWS BIBLE CLUB, YOUNG LIFE AND JUBILEE YOUTH GARDEN. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HAS A HOUSING ARM, ZECHARIAH 8, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-TO-MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON SINGLE MOTHERS.[14]
ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2016, PERKINS BECAME PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE JOHN & VERA MAE PERKINS FOUNDATION AS HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, ELIZABETH, PRISCILLA, AND DEBORAH PERKINS, BECAME CO-PRESIDENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION.[15][16]
WIKIPEDIA ~
June 22, 10:00a.m.
Art in the Park & "Glamour to Groovy" Fashion Show
with Runway Royalty
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"Cabin Crew"
"Dinner At Dusk" ~ June 28, 7:00 P.M.
Simpson County Courthouse
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"Dinner at Dusk" Tickets are $25, and can be purchased from any Bicentennial Committee Member.
(SOLD OUT) |
SATURDAY, June 29, 2024
Main Street Historical presentation, and Character Narrative Tour.
Refreshments served in front of the Revolving Tables
Mendenhall, MS
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THURSDAY, JuLY 4, 9:00 A.M.
Simpson County bicentennial grand finale
"OPENING OF the SESQUICENTENNIAL Time Capsule of 1974"
july 4 ~ 9:00 A.M.
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History of Mendenhall
Although Mendenhall is the County Seat of Simpson County, many do not know that Simpson County has had six court houses in its history.
#1 was a log cabin in Westville
#2 and #3 burned in Westville
#4 lasted about thirty years in Westville
#5 was used for about 5 years and was located in Edna
#6 is the current building in Mendenhall.
Here is a court house history up until May 11, 1907.
Simpson County News, May 9, 1907.
#1 was a log cabin in Westville
#2 and #3 burned in Westville
#4 lasted about thirty years in Westville
#5 was used for about 5 years and was located in Edna
#6 is the current building in Mendenhall.
Here is a court house history up until May 11, 1907.
Simpson County News, May 9, 1907.
Take a look around Mendenhall, with Ross Walton, Historian, on his Drone Tour of Main Street, the infamous Round Tables, and the history behind it all.