Author Archives
Lolly Barnes is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, a statewide nonprofit organization working to save and renew places meaningful to Mississippians and their history.
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An All-Star Cast
Are you all signed up for the Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference in Tupelo next month? An all-star cast of Mississippi’s most creative and innovative preservationists will share their extensive knowledge about how to make projects come alive in your neck of the woods.
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Say It With Me!
The Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference and Heritage Awards Luncheon is right around the corner! As you can imagine, we are all quite busy making plans for this fun get-together in Tupelo. Of all the tasks on my list, the… Read More ›
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How Are You Celebrating Historic Preservation Month?
I have some suggestions! Invite your favorite elected official to lunch. Wait until dessert to begin a gentle tirade about the importance of historic preservation. Attend one of the many fun and educational historic preservation programs taking place around the… Read More ›
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Mississippi’s Downtown Renaissance
Thinking of all our friends around the state who are picking up the pieces today from this week’s tornadoes. In honor of these great towns, where so many good things are happening, I thought I would share a story from… Read More ›
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Dark Days
This Friday, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees will consider requests to demolish two Mississippi Landmarks and delist another, which pretty much amounts to the same thing.
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Pass the Popcorn
Preservationists, pass the word (and the popcorn)-the long-awaited premier of Come Hell or High Water is finally here! Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek will air on WORLD Channel, on the series America Reframed on April… Read More ›
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My New Favorite Song
I spend lots of time in my car, traveling from one beautiful historic Mississippi town to the next. As soon as I get in range of Hattiesburg, I switch to USM Radio-you never know what they are going to play, which is… Read More ›
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Pack Your Bags for Tupelo
Are you a certified, card-carrying preservationist? Do you stop to hug historic churches, schools and the occasional water tower? Is Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House your favorite movie? Then this year’s Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference is the place for… Read More ›
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Victory Lap!
It is tremendously rewarding to see a historic building that was once listed as endangered come back from neglect and decay. Those of you who live in the Delta have been watching the progress on the restoration of the Taborian Hospital with… Read More ›
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Crisis Averted?
Update: Crisis Averted! The Mississippi State Historic Tax Credit had been reauthorized through December 31, 2017. Please be sure to thank your state elected officials for giving us this tremendously effective tool to make historic preservation happen in Mississippi. Historic preservationists had… Read More ›
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Preservation Is Always In Style
On a recent trip to Jackson, I was introduced to the wacky and wonderful world of CHANE T-shirts. Not being from that part of the state, I don’t understand some of the slogans (Brandon versus Pearl?), but the preservation of… Read More ›
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Free to a Good Home
Wanted: Preservation-minded person(s) to give a piece of Pascagoula history a home. Guaranteed to provide happy new owner many fun hours of hammering, sawing, scraping and painting. Happy ghosts of various Delmas family members may come along for the… Read More ›
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Road Trip!
Ever dreamed of exploring America’s rich architectural heritage with a group of fun, like-minded preservationists? It is your lucky day! The Historic Natchez Foundation is offering a six day trip to the Brandywine River Valley from May 13-18. As a… Read More ›
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Cruising Around Kreole
On a sunny day last week, I met up with my preservation buddies in Moss Point to explore the little community of Kreole. Our tour guide for the day was Bev Taite, famous in these parts for the fabulous Taite… Read More ›
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Prospects Seem Bright for Future of Prospect Hill
Some exciting news for one of our 10 Most Endangered Historic Places-on January 17, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History designated Prospect Hill as a Mississippi Landmark and awarded the Archaeological Conservancy a $50,000 grant to repair the roof… Read More ›
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Spend Saturdays with Louis and Frank
[Update 12/1/16] For access to the Charnley Norwood House please contact the MS Department of Marine Resources: 228-523-4150 or heritage@dmr.ms.gov Good news! The Charnley-Norwood House, now home to the Gulf Coast office of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, will be open… Read More ›
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Happy Birthday Historic Natchez Foundation!
The Historic Natchez Foundation turns 40 in 2014 and will host a birthday celebration at its annual meeting on Thursday, January 23. The public is invited to attend. The foundation evolved in 1974 from meetings of a committee of the… Read More ›
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Friends, Preservationists, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears
Since the announcement of the list of the 2013 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi in November, I have had the pleasure of speaking with a number of groups about the threats facing historic places in our state and the state… Read More ›
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Circle G Ranch Named One of America’s Most Endangered Roadside Places
The Society for Commercial Archeology has chosen Elvis Presley’s former home, the Circle G Ranch in Lake Horn, as one of it’s “Falling by the Wayside: Most Endangered Roadside Places” for 2013. To read about the Circle G Ranch and… Read More ›
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Merry Christmas from Biloxi!
From a December 1 article in the Sun Herald by Mary Perez: Every year the Biloxi Lighthouse is decorated for Christmas and this year’s garland goes retro, recreating decorations seen 50 years ago. “We wanted something different,” said Bill Raymond,… Read More ›
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Whatever Works
When faced with intractable city officials, apathetic citizens or a general lack of funds in trying to save a special historic place, what is a preservationist to do? Whatever works. The struggle to save the Moss Point Central Fire Station will… Read More ›
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Give a Little, Get a Little…
Wondering what to get the preservationist who has everything? We have a great idea! For the month of December, get a free membership to the Mississippi Heritage Trust to give as a gift when you purchase a $35 family membership… Read More ›
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Preservationists Give Thanks
Well, the turkey is roasting, the pies are cooling and family and friends are coming together to swap stories around the fire and feast, feast, feast. Before we begin the Thanksgiving bacchanalia, I wanted to invite you to share your… Read More ›
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Mark the Way to Preservation
As you all know, the Mississippi Heritage Trust announced the list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi for 2013 last week. I encourage you to visit http://www.ms10most.com to learn about the threats facing these special historic places…. Read More ›
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MHT Announces 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi for 2013-2014
On Thursday, November 14, over 250 preservationists from around the state gathered in Jackson for the announcement of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi for 2013-2014. President Brad Reeves welcomed guests to the historic Cedars, once in danger… Read More ›
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Next Stop-Jackson
Next Thursday, preservationists from around the state will be hopping in their cars and heading to Jackson for the announcement of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi. The evening will start at 6:00 p.m. with a welcome from… Read More ›
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10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi-Where Are They Now? Part Two
On a recent trip to Jackson, I took some time to look up a few of our 10 Most Endangered Historic Places from past years to see how they are faring. Thanks to a Save America’s Treasures grant, Hawkins Field… Read More ›
Preservation in Mississippi 