This national monument preserves the actual home where civil rights leader Medgar Evers lived with his family until his tragic assassination on June 12, 1963 — the first murder of a nationally significant leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. The modest ranch-style house on Guynes Street remains exactly as it was, complete with the carport where Evers was shot and the family's personal belongings still inside. Families can explore Myrlie's Garden, a beautiful memorial space dedicated to Myrlie Evers' continued advocacy, and learn about the courage it took for the Evers family to fight for equality in 1960s Mississippi. What makes this site truly unique is its intimate scale — you're literally standing in the rooms where this brave family lived, planned, and persevered through some of America's most challenging times.
Junior Ranger Program at Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
The Junior Ranger program here focuses on civil rights history and the Evers family's incredible story of bravery and sacrifice. Kids complete age-appropriate activities that teach them about standing up for what's right, community activism, and how young people can make a difference in their own communities.
- Learn about Medgar Evers' heroic work as Mississippi's first NAACP field secretary
- Discover how Myrlie Evers continued the fight for justice after her husband's death
- Complete activities about courage and standing up for others
Program Details
Best Ages for Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
Ages 4–6
Young children truly respond to the home's family setting — they can understand that a real family with children lived here. The Junior Ranger pledge to 'Be Kind, Show Love, Spread Joy, Grow' resonates beautifully with this age group. Keep visits shorter since the emotional weight of the story can be intense.
Ages 7–10
This age group grasps the significance of standing up for what's right and can connect the Evers family's courage to their own lives. They love learning about Medgar's work as Mississippi's first NAACP field secretary and how Myrlie continued fighting for justice. The activities help them understand how ordinary people can make extraordinary differences.
Ages 11+
Older kids and teens can fully appreciate the historical significance and the ongoing relevance of civil rights work. They understand the context of 1960s Mississippi and can discuss how the Evers' assassination became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Many connect this visit to current social justice movements they see today.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The monument is located in a residential neighborhood about 1.5 miles southeast of I-220 off Medgar Evers Boulevard. Parking is extremely limited directly at the site, so plan to park respectfully in the surrounding neighborhood and walk. For NPS passport stamps, you'll need to visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum downtown, about 5 miles away.
Van & RV Notes
This urban monument isn't suitable for large RVs or Sprinter vans due to narrow residential streets and limited parking. We recommend driving your tow vehicle or exploring nearby campgrounds like LeFleur's Bluff State Park and taking smaller transportation to the monument. Be mindful that this is an active neighborhood where people live and work.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for exploring both the home and Myrlie's Garden, with temperatures in the 50s-80s. Summer can be brutally hot and humid with temps reaching 95°F, though the indoor exhibits provide air conditioning. Winter visits work well with milder temps in the 40s-60s, though rain is common.
How Long to Spend
Plan 2-3 hours total — about an hour touring the home and completing Junior Ranger activities, plus time in Myrlie's Garden which is open sunrise to sunset daily. The intimate scale means you won't need a full day, but the emotional impact deserves unhurried reflection time.
Don't Miss
Standing in the actual carport where Medgar Evers was assassinated brings the history powerfully to life — it's a sobering but essential experience for understanding civil rights history. Myrlie's Garden offers a peaceful space for reflection and represents hope and continued activism, showing kids that the fight for equality continues today.
Fun Facts for Kids
The Evers family home was built in 1956 and contains original furnishings and personal belongings exactly as the family left them
Medgar Evers was the first NAACP field secretary in Mississippi and investigated crimes against African Americans throughout the state
Myrlie Evers continued her husband's work and later became the first woman chairperson of the NAACP board of directors
The home became a national monument in 2017, making it one of the newest additions to the National Park System
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
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