Two preservation related events are coming up this next week:
If you are going to be New Orleans adjacent this Monday Feb. 18, the Louisiana Landmark Society is hosting a panel discussion entitled “Fight Blight”. While this discussion is taking place across our border I believe a lot of information discussed will be useful to Mississippians. Blight, whether urban or rural, is something that many communities struggle with, and I hope a lot of good ideas will be shared by this experienced panel.
The panel will bring together some of the most experienced and knowledgeable individuals in government, as well as members of the real estate and preservation communities to share their experience in combating blight. Panelists include:
- Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, New Orleans City Council, District “C”
- Robert E. Couhig, Attorney, Couhig Partners, and former board member of New Orleans Redevelopment Authority
- Bart Gillis, a realtor specializing in historic properties
- Miles Granderson, Assistant City Attorney of the City of New Orleans
- Pat O’Brien, contractor and real estate broker
- Michelle Kimball, Senior Advocate, Policy and Legislation, Preservation Resource Center, will serve as the panel moderator
The discussion will cover ways for prospective buyers to purchase blighted properties, as well as explore laws and ordinances affecting preservation, and other related issues. Refreshments and snacks will be served following the discussion.
The discussion will take place on Monday February 18, 2013 at 7 PM at 6330 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans Louisiana. For more info you can contact the society at (504)-482-0312 or email info@louisinanlandmarks.org
Sunday Feb. 24 is set for the dedication of the restored Prentiss Institute’s Rosenwald school building in Prentiss, Mississippi.
Of the 633 Rosenwald structures constructed in Mississippi less than fifteen buildings remain. On Sunday, February 24th Prentiss Rosenwald School, on the campus of the Prentiss Institute, will host a special dedication to acknowledge the restoration of that landmark building. In 2010, The National Trust for Historic Preservation assisted Prentiss through The Lowes Charitable and Educational Foundation Preservation Fund grant program. The school constructed in 1926 features five classrooms and an “Auditorium” at the center of the school.
The Prentiss auditorium was home to a daily “Chapel” while being used as a school and also for a women’s voter registration conference in the 1960’s as well as other community meetings. For more information about the dedication contact Leon Griffith at 601-943-5766.
The above photos are 2007 “pre-restoration” images from the MDAH HRI database. Be sure to stop by for the opening and see the “after” in person. The Prentiss Institute is a rare form of this increasingly rare school type.
Categories: African American History, Historic Preservation, National Trust, Prentiss, Preservation Law/Local Commissions, Preservation People/Events, Renovation Projects, Schools, Urban/Rural Issues
Preservation in Mississippi 
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