Freedom Village Historical Marker

This historical marker commemorates a small rural community formed by African Americans during the civil rights movement as well as a music festival that originates with the people of this community. The community dates back to the death of two elderly African Americans owing to their poor living conditions. In response to these events and poor conditions in inner-cities, local civil rights activists joined with the National Council of Churches in an effort to create a self-sustaining rural community. In 1966, the first families moved to this location. Over time, ninety-four African Americans settled on four hundred acres. Although the community received some support from the Ford Foundation and federal government owing to the efforts of the National Council of Churches' Delta Ministry, the community faced numerous challenges and the dream of a self-sustaining all-Black rural community was not realized. Originally named "Freedom City," Freedom Village was incorporated in 1970 Freedom Village would later become the site of the first Mississippi Delta Blues Festival. Held in October 1978, the original event was held on a flatbed trailer for a crowd of about 3500.

After two elderly African Americans died due to their poor living conditions, local civil rights activists formed The Poor People's Conference with the goal of creating a self-sustaining community; in 1966, the first families moved into Freedom Village. The community was originally named "Freedom City" and formally incorporated as Freedom Village in 1970.

Freedom Village is also known as the site of the first Mississippi Delta Blues Festival. Held in October 1978, the original event was held on a flatbed trailer for a crowd of about 3500. Performances included those by Big Joe Williams, Furry Lewis, James “Son” Thomas, Sam Chatmon, R.L. Burnside, Eugene Powell, Jack Owens, Bud Spires, and Joe Willie Wilkins. This historical marker is part of the Mississippi Blues Trail, and as a result, the text on the marker focuses heavily on the history of the blues festival that originated here.

Freedom Village, Mississippi Blues Trail. Accessed July 4th 2021. http://msbluestrail.org/blues-trail-markers/freedom-village.

Freedom Village Historical Marker, The Historical Marker Databse. Accessed July 4th 2021. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=154769.

Freedom Village, Washington County. Accessed July 4th 2021. http://www.washingtoncounty.ms/media-gallery/detail/48/154.