The Jim Crow Museum offers students an opportunity to learn about this period in the history of the United States. Most of the objects displayed in the museum were created with the intent of belittling and humiliating African Americans. Nevertheless, the museum's staff believes that these objects can be used to fuel intelligent discussions about race, race relations, and racism. Woodbridge N. Ferris, the founder of Ferris Institute (now Ferris State University), challenged faculty, staff, and students to "make the world a better place". The Jim Crow Museum is one attempt by the university to improve the world. This is seen in the museum's mission to "use objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote social justice". Exhibitions The Jim Crow Museum is open and is free to the public. The Museum features six exhibit areas: Who and What was Jim Crow Jim Crow Violence Jim Crow and Anti-Black Imagery Achieving Despite Resistance The Battle Continues (contemporary forms of racism) A New Wave of Egalitarianism (positive representations of African Americans) The Museum also offers a comprehensive timeline of the African American experience in the United States. The timeline is divided into six sections: Africa Before Slavery, Slavery in America, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, Civil Rights and Post Civil Rights. Publications David Pilgrim, the founder and curator of the Jim Crow Museum, has published two books related to the museum's collection and mission. Understanding Jim Crow introduces readers to the Jim Crow Museum and how the museum uses racist memorabilia to teach tolerance and promote social justice. Watermelons, Nooses, and Straight Razors is a compilation of stories from the Jim Crow Museum. See also Jew with a coin Racial segregation in the United States Social justice African-American studies Americana References External links Virtual Tour 1996 establishments in Michigan African-American museums in Michigan Stereotypes of African Americans University museums in Michigan Museums in Mecosta County, Michigan Ferris State University Figurines White supremacy in the United States History of racism in the United States Museums established in 1996