I am thankful for the outpouring of love and kindness regarding the utter destruction of the Mississippi John Hurt Museum. I am struggling to process this immense loss and support from friends and fans around the world has meant the world to me.
Acquiring Mississippi John Hurt's three-room cabin, moving it, and converting it into the Mississippi John Hurt Museum in his hometown of Avalon, was a labor of love spanning more than a quarter century. Irreplaceable artifacts filled the humble museum and the recent burning of this historic structure is a tragedy.
Over the past several years, the historic St. James Cemetery where John Hurt is buried was illegally sold, renamed, and desecrated. A marker to honor John Hurt, erected by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History at the intersection of Highway 7 and County Road 204, was knocked down and then mysteriously disappeared. I have received numerous death threats - including a warning that my home would be burnt with me in it. And now this! Mississippi John Hurt is not welcome in Carroll County, Mississippi. As the most famous resident to emerge from this otherwise unremarkable town, it is shameful that he is not celebrated there.
Considering past events and their clear pattern of destruction, the museum fire is yet another attack on John Hurt's legacy, although news reports covering the fire all deny foul play. Given the international support that the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation has received over the years, the last thing I want is to "play the race card." However, for me, this is a hate crime and a painful reminder of my childhood life in Mississippi. Although the cruel stain of racism on my heart never escapes me, these childhood scars were greatly remedied through Daddy John's house which helped cure the hatred in my heart. Through that house, I learned to love people regardless of their race.
Erected by the Mississippi Blues Commission, a Blues Trail marker recognizing Mississippi John Hurt stands in front of the Valley Store - a place where African Americans were not allowed inside. After years of advocating to relocate the marker to the Mississippi John Hurt Museum, it was anticipated that the marker would be moved this year. But the museum burned to the ground mere hours after the museum was added to the National Historic Register. Coincidence? I think not.
The museum, a cabin where John Hurt lived most of his life, can never be replaced but this does not diminish his legacy in any way. His legacy spans the globe and lives on through everyone who has been touched by his gentle spirit and music. Please know that this is not the end and, like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, the Mississippi John Hurt legacy will move forward and make a way out of no way.
