Martha Duvall, Peggy and Ken P’Pool, Lolly Barnes, Philip and Mary Helen Schaeffer at an event to thank the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for its steadfast commitment to saving the places that matter after Hurricane Katrina.

As the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico on October 20th, over 250 preservationists from Pass Christian and all points south gathered at the beautifully restored home of Mary Helen and Philip Schaeffer on Scenic Drive to offer up a heartfelt thank-you to the staff members and Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for their tireless efforts to preserve the rich architectural heritage of Mississippi after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Mary Helen Schaeffer, Roland Weeks, Lolly Barnes, Jennifer Baughn, Ken P’Pool and Jeff Rosenberg.

MDAH staff members Ken P’Pool, Jeff Rosenberg, Jennifer Baughn and Board of Trustees member Roland Weeks traded stories of places loved and almost lost to the destructive powers of wind and water with guests while enjoying a bounty of delicious food prepared by the 67 hosts and hostesses.  MHT board members Brad Reeves, Susan Higgs, Brian Pugh, Mary Helen Schaeffer, Milt Grishman, Bob Wilson, Ken P’Pool and Martha Duvall were on hand to talk with guests about the work of the Mississippi Heritage Trust and encourage them to become a part of our great organization.

Mary Helen Schaeffer credits the invaluable support of MDAH staff member Jennifer Baughn and the many generous volunteers who worked on the coast after Hurricane Katrina with helping to save her badly damaged historic house.

The evening was also the unveiling of the Mississippi Heritage Trust’s new traveling exhibition “Save My Place”, which tells the story of 29 architectural treasures that were damaged or destroyed on August 29, 2005.  Please visit http://www.savemyplacems.com to learn about these special places and to tell us your story.

Ken P’Pool enjoys learning about MHT’s new educational program, Save My Place.

Our hosts and hostesses cooked up delicious brisket and shrimp mousse, arranged masses of beautiful roses and poured plenty of wine and Preservation Punch to make the night a special celebration.

Hosts:

Categories: Gulf Coast, Historic Preservation, Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi Heritage Trust, Pass Christian, Preservation People/Events