Mississippi Writers Trail facts for kids
The Mississippi Writers Trail is a cool project that puts up special signs to celebrate amazing writers from Mississippi. These signs, called historical markers, show how much these writers have helped shape literature, history, and culture.
An expert group of state agencies helps decide where these markers should go. They pick places that were important in the writers' lives. To make it clear that the trail is all about books, the markers are shaped like an open book! They share fun facts about the writer's life, helping everyone learn about the awesome stories and ideas from Mississippi authors.
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How the Trail Started
The Mississippi Writers Trail officially began in 2018. It started at the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson, Mississippi. The very first markers honored two writers: Eudora Welty and Jesmyn Ward. This showed how the trail connects writers from the past with those writing today.
The program runs on a special system. Markers are put up as money becomes available. This means they need funding to create and install each new sign.
The first markers were made possible with help from a grant. This grant came from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Other groups have also supported the trail. These include the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, and the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi. They help put up markers for writers in their areas.
Choosing Writers and Locations
A special group called the Mississippi Writers Trail Advisory Committee helps choose which writers get a marker. This committee includes many cultural organizations from the state. They pick experts to find possible writers for the trail. These experts also write the words that will go on each marker.
The final spots for the markers are chosen with help from local communities. The writers themselves, or their families if they are no longer with us, are also asked about the text for the marker.
Who Helps Decide?
Here are some of the groups on the Mississippi Writers Trail Advisory Committee:
- Mississippi Arts Commission
- Mississippi Development Authority, Visit Mississippi
- Mississippi Humanities Council
- Mississippi Library Commission
- Mississippi Department of History and Archives
- Community Foundation for Mississippi
- Mississippi Book Festival
Mississippi Writers Trail Markers
| Writer | Marker Location | City | Marker Photo | Date of Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Walker Alexander | Margaret Walker Center, Jackson State University | Jackson, MS |
 |
July 8, 2019 |
| William Faulkner | Rowan Oak, Faulkner Home and Museum | Oxford, MS |
 |
October 10, 2019 |
| Shelby Foote | E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center | Greenville, MS |  |
October 18, 2019 |
| Walker Percy | E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center | Greenville, MS |
 |
October 18, 2019 |
| Elizabeth Spencer | Merrill Museum | Carrollton, MS |  |
October 5, 2019 |
| Ida B. Wells | Rust College | Holly Springs, MS |  |
November 7, 2019 |
| Eudora Welty | Eudora Welty House and Garden | Jackson, MS |  |
September 10, 2018 |
| Tennessee Williams | Cutrer Mansion | Clarksdale, MS |  |
October 17, 2019 |
