From the MDAH website:
Observatory Restoration Topic of Talk
At noon on Wednesday, April 12, as part of the department’s History Is Lunch series, architect Robert Parker Adams will discuss the recently completed restoration of the James Observatory at Millsaps College.
The observatory was constructed in 1901 by an early alumnus of Millsaps, Dr. Dan James, and named in honor of his father, Peter, and brother Samuel. Situated on what was the highest point in Jackson at that time, the observatory is a red masonry building with solid granite capstones and lintels, surrounded by a white wooden catwalk. Atop the structure is a wood-and-metal rotating dome protecting a six-inch Warner-Swayze refracting telescope—for many years the largest such instrument in the state. A small powered finder telescope is attached to the larger one, as is a clock that turns the instrument as the earth rotates so that celestial objects remain in view.
Robert Parker Adams is a nationally recognized authority on the preservation and restoration of historic structures. He is a graduate of Millsaps College and was trained in architecture at Auburn University. He earned his master’s degree in historic preservation from the Harvard School of Design.
Adams has overseen the restoration of Mississippi’s Old Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, as well as city halls in Jackson, Oxford, and Meridian, and courthouses in Carroll, Lamar, Holmes, Marion, Sharkey, and Stone counties. His restoration work has included academic buildings at Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi University for Women. He has worked on the Eudora Welty House, the Manship House, the Oaks House Museum, and the oldest residence in Jackson, the Cedars. His work also includes the Coker House at the Edwards Battlefield Site and the Holtzclaw Mansion in Utica.
The program will take place in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building, 200 North Street, Jackson, MS 39201. There is no charge to attend. For more information call 601-576-6998 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.
Categories: Jackson, Preservation Education, Preservation People/Events, Renovation Projects, Universities/Colleges
Preservation in Mississippi 
I want to go to this. Please come with me. Then we can go to Hal & Mal’s for lunch afterwards. OK, Glennie. It’s just for an hour. You will enjoy. Robert Parker lives in the Frank Lloyd Wright in Jackson and his studio is the Greyhound Bus Station downtown. I am *SOOOOO *excited!!!!
On Fri, Apr 7, 2017 at 6:02 AM, Preservation in Mississippi wrote:
> ELMalvaney posted: “From the MDAH website: Observatory Restoration Topic > of Talk At noon on Wednesday, April 12, as part of the department’s History > Is Lunch series, architect Robert Parker Adams will discuss the recently > completed restoration of the James Observat” >
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Sadly, my work schedule won’t allow me to attend. Will there be a recording of Bob’s talk available for later?
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