Support the Museum
For nearly two decades the Jim Crow Museum has used contemporary racist and primarily anti-Black artifacts to tell the story of African American resiliency. It is a teaching model which has been wildly successful, and now is the time to expand that story. As we embark on the fulfilling the mission of the museum, archive, and research facility, we need champions who will help us keep our work moving forward.
Together, a better world is possible.
REFLECTION
'A school in front of a school': Ferris State’s Jim Crow Museum visitors reflect on what the new building teaches
Groundbreaking!!!
Museum OPENING
Sept. 30, 2026, BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – ‘Truth matters even when it’s inconvenient’: Campus and community leaders celebrate the opportunity to witness, understand and heal through new Jim Crow Museum
Telling a Larger Story
Help the Jim Crow Museum tell a larger story. Support the museum's mission in its state of the art facility.
Teaching Tolerance With Objects of Intolerance
The Jim Crow Museum is the nation's largest publicly accessible collection of artifacts of intolerance. The Museum contextualizes the dreadful impact of Jim Crow laws and customs. The Museum uses objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote a more just society.
The museum is located on the campus of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.
Explore the Museum Virtually (Previous facility)
Experience the power of a visit to the Jim Crow Museum virtually. The museum's virtual tour gives you the opportunity to discover many of the highlights from our collection.
Critical Encounters: Featured Exhibits
Jim Crow Museum Lobby experience
Many elements of the Jim Crow Museum’s new facility tell stories. From the colors selected, to motifs of Rivers, Mosaics, and Veils, the design elements help us to teach more effectively about the Jim Crow period and its impact.
Explore the Lobby area
Rise Above Banners
Through dignified, authentic imagery of African Americans—real people living their lives, raising families, at work, in their community—these Rise Above banners counter the racist images and caricatures.
Explore The Rise Above banners
Jump Jim Crow
In this area, there is a projected media piece animating some of the many iterations of the Jim Crow caricature, set to music. The area explores the Who and the What is Jim Crow.
Explore Jump Jim Crow
Jim Crow Museum in the News
06/10/2026
Ferris' Jim Crow Museum announces fall grand opening date
04/16/2026
Ferris State's Jim Crow Museum wins state award for community-driven collection move
Questions for the Museum
9/2/26
The “Mammy” Monument Washington Almost Had
8/3/26
The Origin and Significance of Franklin in Peanuts
7/1/26
Kate Smith, “America’s Voice"
6/1/26
Sweet Potato Pie
5/7/26
Was the last professional minstrel show held in Vermont in the 1990s?
4/2/26
The History of Racist Postcards
3/4/26
The Story of Whipped Peter
2/2/26
Jo Ann Robinson
1/5/26
Who was Bob Moses?
12/1/25
What was the significance of segregated restrooms during the Jim Crow period?
11/3/25
Did Black America save the Cadillac brand in the 1930s?
10/24/25
First Black person to appear in a film
8/13/2025
The Ace of Spades game controversy
More to Explore
Support the Museum
Help us keep the powerful experience of visiting the Jim Crow Museum accessible to all. Consider supporting the museum today.
Donate artifacts to the museum
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Connect with Us
Jim Crow Museum
825 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307
[email protected]
(231) 591-5873
