Back in May 2013, MissPres ran two posts (A Hustling Contractor and the Governor of Mississippi May 22, 2013, and Briber Gibson, the Hustling Contractor REVEALED! May 24, 2013) detailing a hustling contractor’s attempt at subverting the construction bid process for the New… Read More ›
Historic Preservation
New Deal and 101 Places in One: Church Street School
Remember the “101 places in Mississippi to see before you die” list? It’s been a while since we have stopped by to see one on Suzassippi’s Mississippi, what with hunting down all the New Deal Administration buildings in the state. … Read More ›
A Call for Young Artists
Calling all young Mississippi artists! The Mississippi Heritage Trust is looking for young artists with an interest in historic preservation to participate in the art exhibition “This Place Matters.” The theme of the exhibition, “This Place Matters”, is about choosing… Read More ›
New Deal in Mississippi: Louisville Post Office and Mural
In another of the series of 32 post offices built in Mississippi with help from the New Deal Administration funding, Louisville stands out. This Colonial Revival building was constructed in 1935 by Dye and Mullings from Columbia-Hattiesburg, under the Office… Read More ›
MissPres News Roundup 9-23-2013
Here’s a whirlwind view of Mississippi’s preservation news of the last few weeks with thanks to MissPreser Theodore for sending a number of stories my way. On the Coast, the eighth anniversary of Katrina was commemorated with a memorial service… Read More ›
New Deal in Mississippi: Old Philadelphia Library
I love a story with a happy ending, and this one might not have if not for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The building is the old Philadelphia Library constructed in 1935 as part of the New Deal… Read More ›
Madness in Mendenhall
Sheer, utter madness. You are probably going to think this is a typo, but, sadly, I assure you it is not. At the September 12 meeting of the Simpson County School Board, board members voted unanimously to accept a $350,000… Read More ›
Save The Date!
Our models: Ivy Alley, Lee Margaret Sykes, Mary Will Sykes and Warwick Alley, photographed at the Cedars in Jackson, once endangered and now a thriving arts center. Hello folks, Please make plans to join us on Thursday, November 14th when… Read More ›
MissPres News Roundup 9-9-2013
A big thank you to JRGordon for dishing the dirt in a news roundup almost every week through rain, snow, sleet and dead of night since November 1, 2010. JR has recently returned to hometown Texas , and I’ll be brushing off… Read More ›
Why join MHT? It is good for the soul.
Susan Higgs is a card-carrying preservationist. While talking with a group recently, I was asked, “What are the benefits of becoming a member of the Mississippi Heritage Trust?” My answer was, ”You get to be a part of the statewide… Read More ›
New Deal in Mississippi: Faculty Housing
The last–literally, the last house still standing–of the New Deal Administration-funded projects we will visit on the campus of the University of Mississippi is faculty housing. Using primarily Works Progress Administration funds (Gerald Walton, The University of Mississippi: A Pictorial History, 2008), 22… Read More ›
A Day of Reflection
Randolph School, Pass Christian, After Restoration It is hard to believe it has been eight years since Hurricane Katrina plowed through Mississippi. It was such a scary time, full of uncertainty about the future of so many places that we… Read More ›
Katrina losses still continue
Katrina losses still continue. One more recent loss was the National Register listed Nelson Tenement building in Pascagoula. This individually listed structure sat in its post Katrina state until it came down. You can read the National Register Nomination here.
New Deal in Mississippi: Weir Memorial Hall
Built as the new Student Union Building in 1939, Weir Memorial Hall was designed by R. W. Naef in Greek Revival style (Mississippi Department of Archives & History/Historic Resources Inventory database). Walter L. Perry Construction Company of Philadelphia, Mississippi… Read More ›
Don’t Turn On The Water Works For Moss Point Just Yet
Yes, it brings a tear to the eye to think of a wrecking ball slamming into the 1926 Water Works Building in Moss Point. But don’t break out your handkerchief just yet. Now known as the Moss Point Fire Station,… Read More ›
Flock to Flora for Trade Day September 7
Flora is a town that gets preservation. From the lovely main street to the historic depot and Chip Estes’ super cool cotton gin, the people of Flora are committed to saving what makes their place so special. On Saturday, September 7, visitors… Read More ›
Deupree’s Historic Homes: Jones Home
Today’s post is a reprint from Mrs. N.D. Deupree’s “Some Historic Homes of Mississippi,” from Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, Vol. VII (1903). Now known as the Jones-Shuford House, this house is located at 285 E. Falconer Avenue and is… Read More ›
Legion State Park: a historic gem outside Louisville
Today’s guest post is brought to us by Kyle Wrather, a native of Columbus, Miss. Kyle holds degrees in English and Communication from Mississippi State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mass communication from Georgia State University in… Read More ›
New Deal in Mississippi: Somerville and Barnard Halls
Somerville Hall and Barnard Hall are the final two dormitories built with New Deal Administration funds on the campus of the University of Mississippi. They were not the final buildings–we still have a few more to go, including one that… Read More ›
A Bright New Future for the Charnley-Norwood House
The Mississippi Heritage Trust partnered with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History June 27-28 to get the plans rolling for the future of the Charnley-Norwood House in Ocean Springs. Experts from around the country, as well as the agencies… Read More ›
Are You A Card-Carrying Preservationist?
Some days, it is tough to be a preservationist. Petitions, letters of supports, all those meetings, begging people “please don’t tear it down!”. But, when the stars align, board members and elected officials see reason, and we are able to… Read More ›
The New Deal in Mississippi: Hedleston, Mayes, and Garland Halls
Along with three other new dormitories, Garland, Hedleston, and Mayes Halls were dedicated October 21-22, 1938 (Gerald W. Walton. 2008. The University of Mississippi: A Pictorial History. Nashville, TN: The Booksmith Group). Built with funds from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public… Read More ›
MissPres News Roundup 8-5-2013
With our summer schedule, it’s been a while since we’ve had a news round up. Some of what I’ve got, you may have from the twitter news feed. Down in Moss Point, the fate of the old fire station building… Read More ›
Deupree’s Historic Homes: West House
Today’s post is a reprint from Mrs. N.D. Deupree’s “Some Historic Homes of Mississippi,” from Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, Vol. VII (1903). The West House in Holly Springs is now known as “Oakleigh” or the Fant-Clapp House, and… Read More ›
MDAH’s Popular Grant Program Now Open!
According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s website, the popular Community Heritage Preservation Grant (CHPG) program has been funded this year, after skipping a year in 2012. Three million dollars is available for brick-and-mortar renovation projects around the… Read More ›
Of Lawns and Pleasure Piers…The Great Southern Hotel in Gulfport
Entrepreneur and Civil War veteran Joseph T. Jones swept into the Mississippi coast like a fury in the late 1890s, buying up great tracts of pinelands to ship north as pulp or other finished products. In order to better serve… Read More ›
New Deal in Mississippi: Old Batesville Post Office
The former post office in Batesville is in the town area known as Public Square, and is one of the more imaginative and attractive post office buildings constructed under the New Deal administration. The slight arch of the recessed windows… Read More ›
Preservation in Mississippi 