The Parchment Ordeal                                     

The Sacrifice of Progress

The process of unifying the city of Natchez has always been through the will of the people who live,work, build, and raise their children in the community in which they call home.

• The struggle for civil rights begins with equal rights and inclusion of all citizens in the community to participate in governing and educating our children on the same playing field.
• On October 2 1965 more than 300 people lined up to march for the acceptance of these rights at Beulah and China Grove Baptist churches. All were arrested on charges of parading without a permit and once the jails were filled those over the age of 12 were sent to the maximum-security units for felons at Parchment Penitentiary.

Holding the Month of October in Reverence

As we progress through this month let us not forget the sacrifices of those who had the dream of unity and rejuvenation of our great city. Their leadership and relationships are the stepping stones for the growth and success of the City of Natchez. We at the Natchez Museum Of African American Culture will always remember and respect the past and present it to those of the present so they can see what the efforts of people of the past have given us to build a better tomorrow.

.