Ku Klux Klan artifacts have been discovered in the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, revealing a tangible link to one of the most violent chapters in the state’s history. The materials were uncovered during a move to a new headquarters and were found inside a closet, packed in a suitcase that had remained untouched for decades.
Officials reported that the collection includes a robe, meeting notes, ledgers, propaganda materials, and membership records showing dues payments. Many of the documents date back to the 1960s, a period marked by intense Klan activity as the organization sought to resist the Civil Rights Movement. Among the papers was a charter from the “White Knights” faction, outlining the group’s mission in starkly extreme ideological language.
The collection also contained a handbook known as the “Kloran.” This guide included instructions for running meetings, diagrams for organizing members, and coded notes intended to conceal identities. Local media verified the handbook’s authenticity by consulting the family of Byron De La Beckwith, the man convicted in 1994 for the 1963 murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. His son confirmed the Kloran appeared genuine.
The items have been transferred to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, where they will be preserved for research and historical record. Authorities emphasized that the discovery serves as a sobering reminder of the state’s past and the organized networks that sought to oppose civil rights. While the materials represent a painful legacy, officials said they are critical for understanding the full scope of the era and for ensuring that history is accurately documented.
The suitcase of Klan artifacts underscores the persistence of historical memory in public institutions and highlights the importance of preserving evidence of systemic racism for study and reflection. Scholars and historians anticipate that these materials will offer insight into the inner workings of the Klan, its methods of secrecy, and its direct connection to violent actions that shaped Mississippi society.
