MLCS February 2026 Non-Profit of the Month: Natchez Museum of African American Culture and History

Natchez Museum of African American Culture and History

For Black History Month, Miss-Lou Champions Spotlight is proud to recognize the Natchez Museum of African American Culture and History as our February Non-Profit of the Month.

Located in the heart of downtown Natchez, the museum exists to tell the story of African American life, leadership, resilience, and contribution that shaped both the local community and the nation.

This museum is not a side note to Natchez history. It represents a vital and often overlooked dimension of the city’s story. For visitors who want a fuller, more honest understanding of Natchez, this stop is essential. It provides context that deepens everything else you see and experience in the city.

The museum is operated by the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African American Culture, commonly known as NAPAC. Established in 1990, NAPAC was created to research, collect, exhibit, interpret, and preserve African American cultural and historical contributions. The museum officially opened on May 4, 1991, with a clear mission to safeguard local history and ensure it is shared with future generations.

Leadership has been a key part of the museum’s longevity and impact. Director Bobby Dennis has been involved with the museum for more than 25 years, providing continuity, institutional knowledge, and a deep commitment to preserving and presenting this history with accuracy and respect.

Inside the museum, visitors encounter a carefully curated collection that focuses on the lives and experiences of African Americans in Natchez. Many of the artifacts and exhibits are native to the area, helping connect national history to real people, places, and events that occurred right here in the Miss-Lou. These pieces serve as tangible links between the past and the present.

Exhibits explore significant sites, influential citizens, and defining moments in local history. Visitors will find powerful presentations addressing the Forks of the Road and the tragic Rhythm Nightclub fire, as well as material connected to Natchez native and internationally recognized author Richard Wright. The museum also highlights the role of education, the Black church, civil rights efforts, and other cultural pillars that shaped community life through perseverance and leadership.

Recognizing this museum during Black History Month is especially meaningful. Black history is not limited to famous national figures or distant places. It is the story of neighbors, families, workers, educators, and leaders who helped build our towns and institutions, often while facing profound hardship. The Natchez Museum of African American Culture and History preserves these stories locally, allowing them to be seen, read, and felt in a deeply personal way.

This is a place every parent should bring their children, every lifelong Natchez resident should experience, and every visitor should include in their itinerary. It offers education, perspective, and understanding that cannot be gained from textbooks alone.

The museum is located at 301 Main Street in downtown Natchez and is typically open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with Sunday visits available by appointment. Calling ahead is encouraged to confirm hours. For those who want to learn more, visit www.napac.net.

As we spotlight the Natchez Museum of African American Culture and History this February, we encourage the community to support its mission by visiting, bringing friends and family, sharing its work, and contributing when possible. Miss-Lou Champions Spotlight is honored to shine a light on an organization that plays such a critical role in preserving the full story of our community.

Thank you to our Miss-Lou Champion Spotlight partners for helping us spotlight champions and spread positivity throughout the Miss-Lou: