As y’all are no doubt aware, May is Preservation Month, which is good because if it was June, July or August, we would all have to agree it was just too hot to put on a program. But since it’s May, we can still get ourselves moving, and statewide and municipal groups alike have come up with all sorts of activities to boost the cause of preservation. Following is my list, with help from MDAH-folk, but if you know of other activities in your neck of the woods, let me know and I’ll add them.

As usual, I have added these events to the MissPres calendar so you can easily sync your life with preservation events, or vice versa.

In addition to co-hosting this week’s Historic Preservation Conference in Natchez (already noted here on MissPres and it’s not too late to sign up), MDAH is dedicating its popular History Is Lunch series this month to the topic of preservation, with the following schedule:

Wednesday, May 5, noon–1 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Old Capitol Museum, Jackson. Architectural historian Todd Sanders presents “Plantation Houses in Mississippi: More Than Just White Columns.” 

Wednesday, May 12, noon–1 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Old Capitol Museum, Jackson. Ronald Miller, MDAH architectural historian and founder of the Historic Natchez Foundation, presents “Historic Natchez Landscapes and Gardens.” 

Wednesday, May 19, noon–1 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Old Capitol Museum, Jackson. MDAH presents “Restoration Amidst Yazoo Clay,” a panel discussion featuring architect Robert Parker Adams, geologist David Dockery, and engineer Jeff Laird. 

Wednesday, May 26, noon–1 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Old Capitol Museum, Jackson. David Preziosi talks about Mississippi’s most endangered places. 

In addition, the Old Capitol Museum is running a special exhibit this month called “Petitions, Protests, and Patriotism: Mississippi Women in Preservation, 1890–1950.”

The City of Jackson hosts a reception on Thursday, May 13, at 5:30 PM to honor awards recipients for their outstanding contribution to historic preservation. The King Edward Hotel on West Capitol Street will host the reception. Attendees are requested to contact Jackson’s preservation planner Biqi Zhao by this Friday, May 7, to let her know they plan to come.

In addition, next Wednesday, May 12, “Residential Showcase” will show off a recently restored house in the Belhaven Heights Historic District. Located at 811 N. Jefferson Street, the house will be open for a tour from 10 AM through 11 AM. Reservations for the tour can be made by contacting Biqi Zhao at 601-960-2006.

As usual, Biloxi’s activities for preservation month are traditionally held each Thursday evening of the month, as you can see in this flyer published by the City. Here is the schedule of activities:

Thursday, May 6: Re-dedication of the White Avenue Fountain Program and Reception, 5:30-7:00 PM. Median of U.S. Highway 90 and White Avenue. [For pictures of the restoration work, see the City’s photo gallery.]

Thursday, May 13: Biloxi Maritime and Seafood Museum Update Program and Reception, 6 PM. And join the “Hermit of Deer Island” for a free sail aboard a Biloxi Schooner–5 PM and 6:30 PM departures (seating is limited, please call 435-6339 to reserve your seat.) Schooner Pier complex, U.S. Highway 90.

Monday, May 17: 150th anniversary of the Biloxi Public School District, Program and Reception, 5:30-7:30 PM. Biloxi Junior High School Auditorium.

Thursday, May 20: “Explore the Pleasant Reed House,” Ohr-O’Keefe Art Tour and Reception, 5:30-7:30 PM. 386 Beach Boulevard.

Thursday, May 27: 2010 Preservation Awards Presentation and Magnolia Hotel Re-dedication Program and Reception, 5:30-7:30. Join us as we celebrate the community’s efforts and successes in historic preservation. Magnolia Hotel, 119 Rue Magnolia.

Baldwyn, up north of Tupelo, is using Preservation Month to celebrate the completion of a downtown revitalization project sponsored by Baldwyn Main Street and the Baldwyn Historic Preservation Commission that includes new sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting. The work was done with funding from a MDOT grant and the City of Baldwyn. A dedication ceremony will take place this Saturday, May 8 at 10 AM. This is the kind of project that Jane Jacobs would have loved, making towns and cities more walkable and livable for both locals and tourists.

Cleveland’s Historic Preservation Commission will hold an award ceremony at its regular meeting on May 11 at noon at City Hall.

Categories: Biloxi, Cleveland, Historic Preservation, Jackson, Preservation People/Events