The Katrina Research Center at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast will host an open house Thursday, July 22 from 6 – 8 p.m. to introduce the photographic exhibit on the life, death and impact of Emmett Till. The exhibit will be on display through Aug. 27.

Till, a Chicago teen visiting family in Mississippi, was kidnapped and murdered in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman outside of a country store. Dr. Douglas Bristol, associate professor of history at Southern Miss Gulf Coast, will present a talk during the open house titled "Emmett Till: The Sacrificial Lamb of the Civil Rights Movement."

The program was financially assisted by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Delta State University Archives and Museum. A commemorative issue printed by the Southern Quarterly in honor of the young boy’s legacy will be available for purchase at the Katrina Research Center while the exhibit is on display.

For more information, contact the Katrina Research Center at 228.214.3423 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu/gulfcoast .