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At places like Walt Disney World and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, more than four million people have viewed The Kinsey Collection's artifacts, manuscripts, books and art documenting African American history.

Soon, the collection, comprising one of the largest private collections of African American pieces in the world, will make its first visit to the Magnolia State at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Libraries. Free, public viewings of The Kinsey Collection's "African American Treasures" will be open March 21-June 20 in the John Grisham Room at Mitchell Memorial Library.

Pieces in The Kinsey Collection, owned by Bernard and Shirley Kinsey of Los Angeles, celebrate African Americans' achievements and accomplishments throughout U.S. history, especially through their impacts on culture and art. Highlights of the "African American Treasures" display coming to ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵinclude an early copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and a signed copy of Brown v. Board of Education. Also, rare works from early 19th century African American artists will be displayed.

The Kinsey family, including son Khalil, will visit campus to celebrate the opening of The Kinsey Collection at MSU. There will be a public reception honoring the Kinseys at 6 p.m. March 21 in the Grisham Room. Bernard Kinsey will speak at a 3 p.m. public presentation on March 22 in Lee Hall Auditorium to offer insights into the respective pieces on display at the university, as well as why he and his wife are so passionate about gathering items for the collection.

The collection is presented by the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Art and Education. The organization seeks to educate the public about African American history by highlighting African American accomplishments over time, closing societal and cultural gaps between African Americans and other populations, and eroding the stereotypes undercutting equality.

To discover more, schedule group tours or view exhibit hours for "African American Treasures" from The Kinsey Collection at MSU, visit . If you require special assistance relating to a disability, please contact Lynda Graham at lgraham@library.msstate.edu or 662-325-6634. More information about the Kinseys, The Kinsey Collection and its history is available at .

The exhibit is made possible by ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵLibraries, African American Studies at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵand grants from Visit Mississippi, Starkville Visitors & Convention Council and the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Mississippi Humanities Council.