Community Foundation for Mississippi Awards $1 Million Grant to Advance the Margaret Ann Crigler Park Project in Jackson
The Foundation for Mississippi History has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Community Foundation for Mississippi’s John and Lucy Shackelford Fund to support construction of Margaret Ann Crigler Park in downtown Jackson.
The announcement was made Tuesday, March 18, at a news conference at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building. Located adjacent to the Two Mississippi Museums, the park will feature native Mississippi foliage, a large open green space, an outdoor stage, and a play area for children. The park is a project of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and will be a new anchor on the city’s Museum Trail. Perkins&Will, a national architecture firm, is the landscape architect on this project.
“We’re extremely grateful for this gift from the John and Lucy Shackelford Fund,” said MDAH Director Katie Blount. “When we began work on this project, we knew that to be successful, we would need the support of a broad range of partners from the public, private and philanthropic communities. Support from the Shackelford Fund elevated our fundraising efforts when we built the Two Mississippi Museums, and we are proud to continue our partnership with the Community Foundation.”
“John and Lucy Shackelford were native Mississippians who left a legacy gift to this community,” said Jane Alexander, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Mississippi. “With an enduring interest in history and public green spaces, the Shackelfords invested during their lifetime in projects like these, which enhance the quality of life in our capital city. We believe this gift honors their commitment to ‘forever’ giving, and pays tribute to their personal interests.”
In 2024, MDAH acquired the former Eudora Welty Library property with plans to replace the building with a new public park and green space. The plans for this project align with the original layout for Jackson from 1822, which included public green spaces on alternating blocks. Only two parks remain from the original layout: the Old Capitol Green and Smith Park.
The first $1 million for the project was donated by retired businessman Noble T. Crigler, and the park will be named after his late wife, Margaret Ann Crigler. The Mississippi Legislature has provided $3 million for the project.
“Plans for Crigler Park are continuing to move forward thanks to the Community Foundation for Mississippi’s support,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums—the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. “The park will serve as an artistic and cultural hub in the heart of the capital city, inviting visitors and tourists to engage with the environment and people around them. We’re especially excited to make this space available for our school visits program.”
During the news conference, renderings of the park amenities were displayed, including a design of the planned band shell that will highlight the gathering space and a treehouse-inspired play area for children.
Alexander noted that this gift extends investments in downtown Jackson made through the Shackelford Fund at CFM and will soon connect them. “This public park will provide visitors to the Two Mississippi Museums a place to reflect on what they’ve experienced, and a serene space to enjoy nature. We also believe this gift gives ‘legs,’ if you will, to the gift we made to the Two Mississippi Museums in 2017, and further connects this site to the Museum Trail – another project the Shackelford Fund has supported.”
Through the Shackelford Fund, the Community Foundation for Mississippi has long supported MDAH projects, including a $750,000 gift to sponsor the permanent exhibit gallery at the Museum of Mississippi History. Additionally, the fund sponsored the weekly “History is Lunch” series at the Two Mississippi Museums for several years.
Founded in 1902, MDAH collects, preserves, and provides access to the archival resources of the state. The agency empowers people and places by telling Mississippi’s many stories.
The Foundation for Mississippi History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that conducts fundraising efforts to support and promote the projects and programs of MDAH, which operates the Museum of Mississippi History, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Eudora Welty House & Garden, Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, Old Capitol Museum, Windsor Ruins, Historic Jefferson College, and Winterville Mounds.
For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.