Visitor’s Center
Since her death on March 14, 1977, Fannie Lou Hamer has been recognized worldwide as a national icon. Her funeral and memorial service in Ruleville, Mississippi later that month drew more people than the small town in the Delta actually had as residents. People who were not able to see her in life, flocked to William Chapel for the last chance to see her - in death. And since then, her final resting place has seen a constant flow of visitors from across the county who come to pay their respects to a woman who accomplished so much at the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden in Ruleville.This page showcases poignant photographs of visitors paying their respects at Fannie Lou Hamer’s grave and statue in Ruleville, Mississippi. Each image captures the deep reverence and admiration that people from near and far feel for Hamer’s remarkable legacy. These moments of remembrance highlight how her impact continues to inspire new generations, bringing together individuals who honor her life and the enduring spirit of the Civil Rights Movement at these historic sites.
Photo: A young visitor marvels at the Fannie Lou Hamer statue in the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden and Park in Ruleville, Mississippi.The Mississippi Centers for Justice (MCJ) has organized The Great Mississippi Road Trip that tours locations throughout the Mississippi Delta pivotal in the fight for Civil Rights. Part of the tour includes a viewing of the award-winning film, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America. (Photos courtesy of MCJ) 
The commemorative booklet for The Great Mississippi Road Trip.
Charles McLaurin (center) joined visitors for the 2024 road trip and talked about his extensive work with Fannie Lou Hamer.
Iowa State & Langston University.
Students from Iowa State University and Langston University visited many historical sites in the Mississippi Delta, including the statue of Fannie Lou Hamer, who advocated voting and civil rights in the 1960s and 70s.
The new Study USA Programs offered by Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences allow undergraduate students to earn academic credit while embarking on domestic travel within the U.S.
In March 2022, the inaugural Study USA program took students to the Mississippi Delta over spring break, and was led by Gail Carpenter, assistant teaching professor of animal science. Carpenter planned the inter-institutional trip with Nick Timmerman, assistant professor of history at Langston University, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Langston, Oklahoma.