The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
River Site
Public domain - Smithsonian National Museum of American History
1. River Site Marker
This historical marker originally erected by the Emmett Till Memorial Commission and later moved to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
This is the site where Till's body was removed from the river. It was then taken to Greenwood, MS. Then the body was sent back to Money, MS for burial. Via a phone call from Till's mother "not to bury her son", the body was then taken back to Greenwood. The body was then sent to Tutwiler, MS for final preparation to be sent to Chicago, IL.
Erected by the State of Mississippi.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is August 31, 1955.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.47′ N, 77° 1.831′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in The National Mall. It could be reached from Constitution Avenue (Route 50) east of 14th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. Located within the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1300 Constitution Ave, Washington DC 20560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Healing (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovery (within shouting distance of this marker); Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Ingenuity (within shouting distance of this marker); Common Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Common Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); James Smithson (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Common Ground (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker. A new marker - the 4th one - entitled "Graball Landing", was installed in October, 2019. The new 500-pound AR500 steel sign has a polycarbonate glass bullet resistant cover.
The 1st marker, erected in 2008, was stolen.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The replacement markers were moved 2.6 miles north to the intersection of Sharkey Rd and River Rd.
Also see . . . Reckoning with Remembrance History, Injustice, and the Murder of Emmett Till. Link shows how the marker was on display at the museum hall. (Submitted on September 1, 2026.)
Additional commentary.
1. Temporary display of the 317 bullet ridden marker.
This marker was temporarily on view from September 3rd to November 2nd, 2021 in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Flag Hall, and again from April 6th to September 15th, 2024, in the 2 East gallery. It is currently in storage.
— Submitted September 1, 2026.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on September 1, 2026. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
