Rare KKK Artifacts Uncovered in Mississippi Government Office

Notebook, ledger, and other materials offer new glimpse into violent white supremacist group's history in the state.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:24pm

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A close-up view of an old, worn suitcase sitting on a wooden desk, the surface of the suitcase reflecting warm, golden light and creating deep shadows, conveying a sense of the uncovering of a historical relic with a dark past.The discovery of rare Ku Klux Klan artifacts in a Mississippi government office sheds light on the group's deep ties to law enforcement in the state.Mississippi State Today

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has uncovered a trove of rare Ku Klux Klan artifacts, including a handbook, charters, a Klan robe, recruitment materials, and meeting notes, while clearing out an office. The items have been transferred to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, where officials say they will help shed light on the Klan's history and activities in the state.

Why it matters

The discovery of these KKK artifacts serves as a stark reminder of the violent white supremacist group's deep ties to law enforcement and government institutions in Mississippi, underscoring the importance of confronting and preserving this history to prevent its repetition.

The details

Among the items found were a handbook for the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Klan charters, a Klan robe, KKK recruitment materials, propaganda, meeting notes, ledgers, and a list of members who paid and didn't pay their dues. Officials say the materials will take months to fully process and catalog.

  • The artifacts were discovered last week as the Mississippi Department of Public Safety was preparing to relocate to new headquarters.
  • The Ku Klux Klan was formed just months after the end of the Civil War in 1865 by six former Confederate officers.
  • The Klan's presence in Mississippi grew significantly with the enactment of the state's Jim Crow laws in the early 20th century.
  • In 1964, Klan members were responsible for the 'Mississippi Burning killings' of three civil rights workers.
  • The Klan also bombed Mississippi's only synagogue in 1967, which was later set on fire by an arsonist in January 2026.

The players

Mississippi Department of Public Safety

The state agency that uncovered the trove of KKK artifacts while preparing to relocate to new headquarters.

Mississippi Department of Archives and History

The state agency that has received the KKK artifacts and will process and catalog them for historical preservation and research.

Charles Taylor

Executive director of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP, who is glad these stories are coming to light.

Sean Tindell

Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, who said preserving these artifacts will help ensure future generations are not led astray by such hate.

Barry White

Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, who said the administrative records and charter are significant given the Klan's secrecy.

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What they’re saying

“I'm glad these stories are coming out because it was a real pain.”

— Charles Taylor, Executive Director, Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP

“Mississippi Highway Patrol Troopers and agents with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety have worked for decades with our federal law enforcement partners to shed light on the darkness in which groups like the Ku Klux Klan chose to operate. By preserving these artifacts and shedding light on such organizations, we help ensure that future generations are never led astray by such hate.”

— Sean Tindell, Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Public Safety

“MDAH is grateful to Commissioner Tindell for recognizing the historical significance of this material and transferring it to the archives. These records will give researchers broader access to documentation that deepens our understanding of Ku Klux Klan activities in Mississippi during the 1960s.”

— Barry White, Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Archives and History

What’s next

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History says it will take months to fully process and catalog all of the KKK artifacts that were uncovered.

The takeaway

This discovery of rare KKK artifacts within a Mississippi government office serves as a sobering reminder of the deep historical ties between white supremacist groups like the Klan and law enforcement institutions in the state. Preserving and studying these materials is crucial to understanding this troubling history and ensuring it is not repeated.