Freedom Summer

Freedom Summer. . When the Western College for Women opened its campus (now a part of the Miami University campus) to civil rights activists in the summer of 1964, college students and volunteers from across the country trained here for the Mississippi Summer Project, also known as Freedom Summer., Peabody Hall, Leonard Theatre , The first week's general training sessions were held in Leonard Theatre. They covered topics such as racism in Mississippi, non-violence, and what to do if one was arrested. During the second week of orientation, Freedom School teachers trained in Leonard Theatre. Freedom Schools were organized in churches and community centers, providing African American youth instruction in civics, black history, and other topics., Kumler Chapel , During the first week of training, Reverend Ed King conducted a memorial service for Medgar Evers in Kumler Chapel. The second week, a vigil was held for the three missing men, Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman. It was a month before they were found, murdered., The Freedom Summer Memorial , Located next to Kumler Chapel, the memorial was installed to commemorate the courage and commitment of all Freedom Summer volunteers. It was commissioned to be a permanent reminder of the ideals of Freedom Summer and to recognize the contributions of all who participated in Freedom Summer in Mississippi., The slain civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerer.