February 2026 Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 2

Remembering Reverend Jesse Jackson

Faith Deliverance Church Visits Museum

Old Sunshine Laundry Building Could be Elbert Williams Historic Site

Local Artist Highlighted in Museum

Dunbar Carver Museum Scholarship

Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Visit to Brownsville and His Lasting Impact on Our Community

With the recent passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, communities across the nation are reflecting on his decades of leadership in the civil rights movement and national politics. Here in Brownsville and Haywood County, we also pause to remember a moment when our community intersected with that larger history; his participation in Clay Evans Scholarship Day in 1975.

More than fifty years ago, Brownsville welcomed Rev. Jackson during a period of continued social change across the South. The Civil Rights Movement had reshaped the nation’s laws, but communities were still working to translate those gains into meaningful opportunity. Education stood at the center of that effort.

Clay Evans Scholarship Day was built on a simple but powerful belief: investing in young people could transform families and strengthen the future of the community. Rev. Jackson’s presence at the 1975 program brought national visibility to that local commitment. At a time when many small towns were still finding their footing in a new era, his participation signaled affirmation and encouragement.

For those who attended, it was more than a celebrity appearance. It was a moment of connection — linking Brownsville’s aspirations for its students with a broader movement for educational access, civic participation, and economic advancement. His visit reinforced the message that opportunity should not be limited by race, geography, or circumstance.

As the nation reflects on Rev. Jackson’s life, Brownsville and Haywood County can remember him not only as a prominent civil rights figure, but as someone who stood in our community and supported the educational dreams of local students. That memory belongs to the people who were present, to the scholarship recipients whose lives were impacted, and to the families who believed education was the pathway forward.

His passing invites us to consider how we preserve such moments in our local history. Archival displays, oral histories, and recognition at future scholarship events can ensure that younger generations understand the significance of that day in 1975.

Most importantly, remembrance should focus on the values that brought him here: a belief in education, empowerment, and community progress. Clay Evans Scholarship Day represented Brownsville’s determination to invest in its own future. Rev. Jackson’s participation amplified that commitment.

Faith Deliverance Church Becomes First Church Group to Visit Dunbar Carver Museum During Black History Month



The Dunbar Carver Museum extends its sincere appreciation to Faith Deliverance Church of Brownsville for becoming the first church congregation in Haywood County to visit the museum as an organized church group—an especially meaningful milestone during Black History Month.

The visit marked a special moment not only for the museum but for the broader community. Black History Month is a time dedicated to reflection, education, and renewed commitment to preserving the stories that shape our collective identity. For a local congregation to intentionally gather and visit the museum during this season speaks volumes about its commitment to heritage, faith, and community awareness.

Members of Faith Deliverance Church toured the museum’s historical exhibits, which highlight the legacy, achievements, and resilience of African Americans in Haywood County. From educational milestones to civic leadership, military service, entrepreneurship, and cultural contributions, the displays tell a powerful story of perseverance and progress.

The congregation expressed genuine appreciation for the preservation of local history and the effort to document stories that might otherwise be forgotten. Their engagement, thoughtful questions, and reflections made the visit especially rewarding for museum volunteers and leadership.

The Dunbar Carver Museum was founded to preserve and share the history of our ancestors, ensuring that future generations understand both the struggles and the triumphs that have shaped our community. Visits like this affirm the importance of that mission.

Faith institutions have historically played a vital role in preserving African American history, supporting education, and strengthening community bonds. For Faith Deliverance Church to lead the way as the first church group visit sets a wonderful example and opens the door for other congregations to follow.

The museum warmly welcomes additional church groups, civic organizations, schools, and families to schedule visits throughout the year. Black history is not confined to a single month—it is a living legacy that continues to inspire.

The Dunbar Carver Museum thanks the leadership and members of Faith Deliverance Church for their support, enthusiasm, and commitment to honoring the history of Haywood County. Their visit stands as a reminder that when faith and history come together, communities grow stronger.

Brownsville and Haywood County Included in National Park Service Study of Memphis-Area Lynching Sites

Brownsville and Haywood County have been identified as part of the National Park Service’s Memphis Area Lynching Locations Special Resource Study, a congressionally mandated study to determine whether certain historic sites should be designated as a National Monument.

The study was directed by Congress under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (Public Law 117-328). Eight lynching locations in the Memphis region were named in the legislation, including the site connected to the 1940 lynching of Elbert Williams in Haywood County.

Williams, a local resident and early voting rights advocate, was killed during efforts to register Black citizens to vote. His death remains a significant and painful chapter in Haywood County’s history and in the broader struggle for civil rights in America.

As part of the study process, National Park Service (NPS) staff have made preliminary visits to Brownsville and toured locations in Haywood County associated with the Williams case. One site under consideration is the former Sunshine Laundry building on Jackson Avenue. In keeping with National Park Service guidelines, the property is being evaluated for potential designation as a National Monument.

Public involvement is a key component of the Special Resource Study. Community members are encouraged to learn more about the project and provide comments online by visiting the National Park Service planning website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/Memphis and clicking “Open for Comment.”

In addition, an in-person public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Carver High School’s Ivory Ellison Auditorium, located at 705 East Jefferson Street in Brownsville. The meeting will include a brief presentation by National Park Service representatives followed by a question-and-answer session.

National Monument designation can bring significant benefits to a local community. NPS sites often stimulate economic growth through heritage tourism, transform underused properties into educational and cultural assets, and provide long-term preservation of historically significant locations. Such designation also supports research and educational programming while ensuring that important history is preserved for future generations.

In parallel with the federal study, the Elbert Williams Interpretive Center, a non-profit corporation is pursuing plans to develop the Sunshine Laundry site as the Elbert Williams Interpretive Center (EWIC), is working in partnership with Belinda Stewart Architects and the Southway Foundation of Eupora, Mississippi, to advance the planning and development of the center. Local leaders note that the EWIC’s vision and the National Park Service study are complementary efforts that can strengthen Brownsville and Haywood County’s historical and cultural landscape.

An important factor in both initiatives is strong community support. Residents are encouraged to participate, attend the public meeting, and share their perspectives as this important process moves forward.

Dunbar Carver Museum Announces “A Day at the Museum” Featuring Local Artists

Brownsville, TN — The Dunbar Carver Museum is pleased to announce a special community event, “A Day at the Museum,” to be held on Saturday, March 7, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the museum, located at 709 East Jefferson Street in Brownsville, Tennessee.

This exciting afternoon will showcase the creative talents of local artists through live music, handcrafted works, drawings, and paintings. The event is designed to celebrate artistic expression while highlighting the cultural richness of Haywood County.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, enjoy live performances, and experience art in a welcoming and historic setting. A limited selection of crafts, drawings, and paintings will be available for purchase, offering attendees the chance to support local talent and take home a unique piece of art.

The Dunbar Carver Museum remains committed to preserving the history and heritage of the community while also providing space for contemporary creativity and engagement. “A Day at the Museum” reflects the museum’s ongoing mission to serve as both a cultural archive and a vibrant gathering place.

The public is warmly invited to attend. Admission is free.

For additional information, please contact the Dunbar Carver Museum or visit the museum’s website.

Contact:

Dunbar Carver Museum

709 East Jefferson Street

Brownsville, TN 38012

Come celebrate art, history, and community at the Dunbar Carver Museum on March 7.

Dunbar Carver Museum Scholarship: Investing in the Future

Founded in 2007, the Dunbar Carver Museum (DCM) became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2023, strengthening its mission to preserve history and expand educational opportunity. Under the leadership of former Board Chairwoman Aretha Hopson Jones, a member of the Carver High School Class of 1966, she secured a generous $19,000 donation to establish the Dunbar Carver Museum Scholarship Fund: creating a lasting investment in the future of local students.

The purpose of the DCM Scholarship is to support graduating seniors from the Haywood County community as they pursue higher education. Since its founding, two scholarships of $1,000 each have been awarded to deserving students committed to continuing their academic journeys.

Applications and eligibility requirements for the DCM Scholarship are available each February at both the Dunbar Carver Museum and Haywood High School. All applications are carefully reviewed by the Dunbar Carver Museum Scholarship Committee, with recipients selected according to established scholarship guidelines.

Once chosen, the scholarship recipient is formally notified by a DCM committee member and recognized at the Haywood High School Awards Banquet held each May.

We encourage families, educators, and community members to remind graduating seniors to apply when the application period opens each February. For additional information, please contact the Dunbar Carver Museum Scholarship Committee at:

P.O. Box 1429

Brownsville, TN 38012

Community support makes this scholarship possible. If you would like to contribute to the DCM Scholarship Fund, donations may be made through the museum’s website, www.dunbarcarvermuseum.org or mailed to the P.O. Box listed above.

Thank you for your continued support of the Dunbar Carver Museum and for helping us invest in the next generation.