Kuhn Memorial Civil Rights Park gets revitalization green light

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Shape Up Mississippi received approval from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to collaborate on the revitalization of the Kuhn Memorial Civil Rights Park as part of the city’s Bicentennial celebration.

“This $50,000 donation is significant, as it highlights the Black community’s commitment to honoring Vicksburg’s rich African American history,” said Linda Fondren, founder of Shape Up Mississippi. “We needed the mayor and Board of Aldermen’s approval to proceed.”

In yesterday’s board meeting Fondren told the Mayor and Alderman that the city’s acceptance of the donation, the revitalization could be completed by November of this year.

“The Kuhn Memorial Civil Rights Park has been quiet for the past two years, so revitalizing it is a great opportunity to bring these stories to life,” she said.

With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Prize, the Catfish Row Museum recently launched “Vicksburg Voices,” a program that includes storytelling workshops and events focused on health equity. Fondren said the Bicentennial offers the perfect opportunity to share stories that span from slavery to self-liberation, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights era.

“Black residents have been vital to our community—building schools, running for office, fighting injustice, and paving the way for future generations,” Fondren said. “They marched, registered voters, and demanded equal rights on the same streets where their ancestors fought for freedom a century ago.”

The revitalization efforts plan include:

• 20 interpretive signs with QR codes linking to an interactive digital timeline and deeper resources placed along the walking path
• Knowledge Tree Sculpture, designed by students from Warren Central high School
• Herb Garden
• MDAH Marker – Kuhn Memorial Hospital
• Myrlie Evers Bust Sculpture – civil rights activist and journalist
• Celebration, Reflection, and Wellness Wall in honor of patients and staff of Kuhn Hospital
• A mural highlighting Civil Rights in Vicksburg

The park is located on the grounds of the former Kuhn Memorial hospital.