Despite overcast chilly skies, a large crowd attends the prestigious Mississippi Heritage Blues Trail marker unveiling honoring Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum Thursday afternoon, April 11. Speaking on the program beneath the canopy facing the marker are (from left) Wayne Winter, president of the Coahoma County Tourism Commission; Clarksdale Mayor Henry Espy; Coahoma County Supervisor Johnny Newson and his wife, Wilhelmina Newson; Shelley Ritter, museum director; Bill Gresham , president of the museum’s board of trustees; Kappi Allen, director of Coahoma County Tourism; and Paul Pearson, Coahoma County Supervisor. Founded in 1979, the museum attracts international visitors and is celebrating Muddy Waters Month with numerous events in April. A reception with music by the Delta Blues Museum Band followed the dedication.

Shelley Ritter (right), director of the Delta Blues Museum, and Bill Gresham (left) president of the museum board of trustees official unveil the Mississippi Blues Trail Marker. Allison Washington of Jackson, Music Trails program manager with the Mississippi Development Authority, said the marker was the 13th unveiled in Clarksdale and Coahoma County.

The back of the Delta Blues Museum marker features a colorful logo of the Muddywood guitar, a gift to the Delta Blues Museum by rock stars ZZ Top in 1988, and historical photographs of the museum.