Spring 2018 Volume 60, No

MISSISSIPPI HISTORY newsletter

A PUBLICATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY

Spring 2018 Volume 60, No. 1 Dozens of Quilts in Special Exhibit Allen. “As a result of her efforts, ries Unfolded include Martha $16 plus tax. Oldest Piece Crafted we hold more than two hundred Skelton, Tammy McGrew, and Stories Unfolded is free and Nearly Two Hundred quilts in the collection.” The oldest quilt on display Years Ago was made by Mary Stovall in Hinds County between 1830 and The first special exhibit in 1845. Stovall used factory-made the Two Mississippi Museums indigo-dyed cotton to hand explores life in the state through stitch the quilt, which features a quilts in the MDAH collection. Princess Feather and Eagles pat- Stories Unfolded: An Exhibit tern. Because her husband and of Mississippi Quilts features sons fought in early American thirty-eight quilts and two quilt wars, the eagles in the design are tops that were stitched over the thought to represent her family’s course of nearly two centuries military service. by a diverse array of quilters. Among the more recently The exhibit is on display in the made quilts is Geraldine Nash’s FedEx and Medgar and Myrlie “The Hands That Picked Cotton Evers exhibition halls on the Now Help Pick Presidents,” second floor of the museum made in 2008. Nash was in- complex until October 2018. spired by a similar phrase civil “When Patti Carr Black rights leader Charles Evers used was director of the Mississippi as he campaigned for mayor The circa-1830s Princess Feather and Eagles quilt made by Mary Stovall. History Museum, she made of Fayette, Mississippi, in the collecting folk art, including 1970s. Hystercine Rankin. An exhibi- open to the public from 9 a.m. quilts, a priority,” said MDAH Other renowned Mississippi tion catalog is available in the to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sat- Museum Division director Lucy quilt makers represented in Sto- Mississippi Museum Store for urday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. MSU President Keenum Joins MDAH Board Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi historic structures expanding the campus through multiple State University, is the newest member of on the campus of construction projects, and acquiring the the board of trustees of the Mississippi De- MSU. His experi- Frank and Virginia Williams Collection partment of Archives and History. Keenum ence as a univer- of Lincolniana—a vast collection of was elected to the board in February and sity president and documents relating to the life and times of confirmed by the state senate in March. longtime public President Abraham Lincoln. Keenum has “Keenum’s work to bring the Ulysses S. servant will serve also expanded the MSU Promise Program, Grant Presidential Library to Mississippi the department which provides need-based scholarship State University shows his commitment to well.” assistance to Mississippi students whose supporting and making accessible historic Keenum was named the nineteenth families have limited financial means. resources—a commitment particularly president of Mississippi State Univer- Keenum served on the staff of U.S. significant to MDAH,” said Kane Ditto, sity in 2009 after a long career in public Senator Thad Cochran in Washington, president of the MDAH board of trustees. service. His accomplishments at the D.C., from 1989 to 2006, first as a legisla- “He has been an outstanding steward of the university include increasing enrollment, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 MDAH BOARD , continued from p. 1 tive assistant for agriculture and he was a founding member and natural resources and then of the board of directors of the as chief of staff. In 2006 Kee- Foundation for Mississippi num was named the Under History, serving as treasurer Secretary of Agriculture for from 2005 to 2017. Farm and Foreign Agricultural “The department relied Services for the United States heavily on Jack Garner’s lead- Department of Agriculture. ership in preservation projects Keenum succeeds Jack Gar- across the state,” said Ditto. ner, who retired after nineteen “He has provided stability on years on the board as the senior the board through the construc- member. During his tenure, tion of the William F. Winter Garner served as the vice- Archives and History Building, president of the board and the restoration of the Old Capi- as a member of the National tol Museum, and the opening Register Review Board. of the Museum of Mississippi A Grenada native, Garner History and Mississippi Civil is the former president of the Rights Museum—and has been Ramey Agency, an advertis- instrumental in the success of ing firm in Jackson. He spent each one of those.” twenty-five years in banking, Members serve six-year and led the effort to restore the terms. The other members First National Bank of Jackson of the board are Kane Ditto, building. When Garner was a president; Reuben V. Anderson, board member of the Margaret Jackson; Nancy Carpenter, Walker Center, he assisted Columbus; Valencia Hall, Nat- in having Ayer Hall restored chez; Betsey Hamilton, New to house the research center. Albany; Web Heidelberg, Hat- An accomplished artist, Gar- Jack Garner, left, walks a part of the Corinth battleground with a National tiesburg; Hilda Cope Povall, ner’s work is included in many Park Service ranger and MDAH board president Kane Ditto. Cleveland; and Roland Weeks, private and corporate collec- Museum of Art’s permanent Garner served on the Gov- Biloxi. tions as well as the Mississippi collection. ernor’s Mansion Committee,

New Book Tells Story of History, Civil Rights Museums A new book highlights some of the lion necklace, a banner from the state’s Telling Our Stories is available for artifacts featured in the Two Mississipp first black Masonic lodge, a boll weevil $25 plus tax in the Mississippi Museum Museums and documents the history of trap used in Grenada County, a Store—which also sells pottery, the project. Telling Our Stories: Museum chess set molded from bread by jew- of Mississippi History and Mississippi a Freedom Rider at Parchman elry, and Civil Rights Museum was created by the penitentiary, and a clock that hand- Department of Archives and History stopped at the moment Hurricane m a d e and published by the University Press of Katrina flooded a Biloxi home. c r a f t s Mississippi. Never before have these objects by art- “Telling Our Stories shines a light been gathered together in one ists from on all the people who made this project place or publication. across the possible,” said MDAH director Katie “The construction of these state, along Blount. “This project was the centerpiece museums allows us to show- with classic of the state’s bicentennial celebration only case in new ways artifacts that and con- because of the community partners, move- we’ve been collecting since temporary ment veterans, scholars, state officials, and 1902,” said MDAH Museum books on all others who helped it succeed.” Division director Lucy Allen. aspects of Mississippi’s story comes to life through “Telling Our Stories shares Mississippi artifacts such as a circa-1840 cotton gin, how our stories are told through these history. Call a contemporary Choctaw beaded medal- artifacts.” 601-576-6921 to order a copy. Properties Added To National Register A historic African American president of the Utica Normal of school architecture, which properties through tax benefits, library, a Jewish synagogue, and Industrial Institute. The refers to concentrating the dif- grant assistance, and protection and two Jackson elementary Myrtle Hall Library was also ferent functions of the school from demolition or develop- schools have been listed on the the first home of the Delta in certain parts of the building. ment. National Register of Historic Blues Museum. The school is still in use. National Register listing Places. On the recommenda- Built in 1946, B’nai Israel Pearl Spann Elementary does not restrict a private own- tion of the Mississippi National Synagogue is located at the School was one of three white er’s use of the property, unless schools built with money from development of the property a 1956 bond referendum in involves federal funding, fed- response to Jackson’s growing eral rehabilitation tax credits, population following WWII. or participation in some other The one-story, cluster-designed federal program. There are no school was competed in 1958 at requirements for public acces- the start of the school year and sibility, and information about named after a longtime Jackson sensitive sites can be restricted educator, Susie Pearl Spann. from the public. Pearl Spann Elementary was The Department of Archives designed in the Modernist and History is the official State or International style by the Historic Preservation Office architecture firm Overstreet, in Mississippi and handles all Ware, and Ware, and still requests for National Register serves Jackson students. information and assistance. The National Register of Congress established the Na- Historic Places was established tional Register of Historic The circa-1946 Temple B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg. by Congress in 1966 to help Places in 1966 as a list of identify and protect historically federally recognized properties Register Review Board, the corner of Mamie Street and significant properties. National especially worthy of protection United States Department of 12th Avenue South in Hat- Register properties enrich and preservation. the Interior approved the ad- tiesburg. Jewish immigrants our understanding of local, Mississippi has more than dition of Myrtle Hall Branch first began arriving in Forrest state, and national history by 1,200 National Register prop- Library for Negroes, Coahoma County in the 1890s and first representing significant events erties, including archaeological County; Temple B’nai Israel, worshiped in the home of and developments, the contri- sites, battlefields, bridges, Forrest County; Hattie Casey early Jewish settler Maurice butions of notable people, and buildings, cemeteries, forts, Elementary School, Hinds Dreyfus. In 1900 the congrega- important types of buildings houses, and historic districts. County; and Pearl Spann Ele- tion occupied the top floor of and architectural styles. Na- For more information call mentary School, Hinds County. the Odd Fellows Building in During most of the era downtown. The congregation of segregation, the Myrtle officially organized in 1915. Hall Library for Negroes was The temple has been used con- the only public library for tinuously since construction by African Americans in the Congregation B’nai Israel. Mississippi Delta. In 1929 a Hattie Casey Elementary group of Clarksdale African School was constructed as Americans formed a com- a white school in 1961 and mittee, raised $1,000, and named in honor of longtime lobbied the city for a library to Jackson educator Hattie M. be built near the Myrtle Hall Casey. The school was built School—one of two African in response to the tremendous American schools in the city. increase in Jackson’s popula- The city of Clarksdale set tion after World War II along aside $2,000 to construct the with new suburban develop- one-story building. Speakers ment in northeast Jackson. at the library’s dedication in The one-story school is a local Myrtle Hall branch library in Coahoma County. 1930 included L.J. Rowan, example of Modernist or In- president of Alcorn College; ternational style. Hattie Casey B.A. Green, mayor of Mound Elementary School is also an tional Register listing can also 601-576-6940 or visit www. Bayou; and William Holtzclaw, example of the cluster type help preserve these important mdah.ms.gov. Society Honors Award Winners During its annual meeting breaking for its treatment of Committee chair. “In addition Society received the Frank March 1–3 at the Two Missis- race and the inclusion of African to her excellent work in the E. Everett, Jr. Award for its sippi Museums in Jackson, the American history. classroom, Johnson spearheaded outstanding contributions to the Mississippi Historical Society “Eagles’s book helps the a collaborative project where her preservation and interpretation announced its 2018 awards, in- reader to see the much-needed cluding best book and outstand- changes that Tougaloo College ing teacher. Longtime MDAH professor James Loewen and Museum Division director Lucy Millsaps professor Charles Sal- Allen received one of the soci- lis addressed in Conflict and ety’s highest honors, the Dunbar Change,” said Elizabeth Payne, Rowland Award for lifelong University of Mississippi his- contributions to the preserva- tory professor and chair of the tion, study, and interpretation McLemore Prize Committee. of Mississippi history. “Until Eagles’s book, little to no Allen began her career with attention had been paid to their MDAH in 1978, initially as an pioneering work.” assistant curator of exhibits, Puckett High School teacher then later as director of educa- Jennifer Leigh Johnson received tion and programs. She has been the John K. Bettersworth Award, director of the Museum Divi- presented to an outstanding his- sion since 2002. In 2011, Allen tory teacher. An instructor with was named the Two Missis- eleven years of school experi- sippi Museums project director, ence, Johnson teaches U.S. his- leading a complex, intensive, tory, world history, psychology, accelerated five-year process to and law. Johnson is the 2016-17 design the 200,000-square-foot teacher of the year at Puckett Lucy Allen, right, receives the Dunbar Rowland Award from John Marszalek. facility. High School and a member of “More than any other person, the Mississippi Professional students interviewed military of local history. these museum buildings are a Educators, Phi Delta Kappa, veterans from World War II to Michael Ballard posthu- credit to the vision, commit- and the National Council for Desert Storm that culminated in mously received the William E. ment, and persistence of Lucy the Social Studies, as well as the creation of a commemorative “Bill” Atkinson Award for his Allen,” said MDAH director the co-sponsor of the National booklet for each veteran.” outstanding lifelong contribu- Katie Blount. “She always envi- Honor Society at her school. Allison Collis Greene, as- tions to the study and interpreta- sioned these museums as sociate professor of tion of Mississippi Civil War world–class institutions, history at Mississippi history. and she never shrank from State University, re- For a complete list of Awards that vision, not when sup- ceived the Mississippi of Merit see the MHS website, port was absent, not when History Now Award for mississippihistory.org. money was tight, not her article “The Great Newly elected officers of the when time was slipping Depression and Reli- society are Page Ogden, Natchez, away. No staff person has gion in Mississippi.” president; Chuck Westmoreland, done more for these mu- Crystal Sanders Delta State University, vice- seums, over more years, was awarded the Wil- president; and William “Broth- than Lucy Allen.” lie D. Halsell Prize for er” Rogers, secretary-treasurer. The society’s award for best article published New members of the so- best Mississippi history in the Journal of Mis- ciety’s board of directors are book went to University sissippi History for Shennette Garrett-Scott, Uni- of Mississippi emeri- “Dignity in Life and versity of Mississippi; LaToya tus professor of history Death: Undertaker Cla- Norman, Hattiesburg; Dierdre Charles Eagles for Civil rie Collins Harvey and Payne, Ridgeland; Christian Rights, Culture Wars: Charles Eagles, left, receives the McLemore Prize Black Women’s Entre- Pinnen, Mississippi College; The Fight over a Missis- from committee chair Elizabeth Payne. preneurial Activism.” James L. Robertson, Jackson; sippi Textbook. The work Sanders is associate Stephanie Rolph, Millsaps Col- examines the controversy that “Jennifer Johnson is exactly professor of history and African lege; Rebecca Tuuri, University surrounded the 1974 publication the type of educator we are American studies at Pennsylva- of Southern Mississippi; and of Mississippi: Conflict and proud to support,” said Chad nia State University. Marcs Sokolsky-Wixon, Pas- Change, which was ground- Daniels, Bettersworth Award The Itawamba Historical cagoula. New Museums Exceeding Projected Visitation In just four months, more than museums and learn about their 100,000 people have traveled state’s history,” said Museum to Jackson to visit the Mu- of Mississippi History director seum of Mississippi History Rachel Myers. “Teachers tell and Mississippi Civil Rights us they can’t wait to come back Museum. The Two Mississippi because of their experience.” Museums, which opened on “One of the greatest staples December 9, are exceeding of the community during initial visitation projections the Civil Rights Era was the and continue to attract the church,” said Pamela Junior, attention of the world. director of the Mississippi More than 10,000 people Civil Rights Museum. “The visited the museums during church is that piece that con- the grand opening weekend. tinuously shows up in our In January the W.K. Kellogg galleries. Today, we have Foundation provided free churches from all over Mis- admission to commemorate sissippi coming to see a Move- the birthday of Martin Luther ment that the parishioners King Jr., and some 16,000 lived, and to reflect with the people took advantage of the younger ones an era that they offer. can only read and hear about.” More than 630 group reser- The Two Mississippi Mu- The line to enter the museums stretched to North Street during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. vations have been made to the seums welcomes groups of museums, including churches, up to 200 people; advance adult and $3 per student for For more details or to book civic groups, and schools. reservations are encouraged. one museum and $10 per a group online, visit www. “These classes are riding Groups of ten or more receive adult and $5 per child for both mcrm.mdah.ms.gov or www. buses for hours to visit both discounted pricing of $6 per museums. mmh.mdah.ms.gov. Music Festival, Fiddle Contest at HJC Historic Jefferson College is hosting the is also site director of the Eudora Welty contest rules or to register, visit www. eleventh annual Great Big Yam Potatoes House and Garden. bigyampotatoes.com Old-Time Music Gathering and Fiddle On the morning of Saturday, May 19, Live music continues throughout the Contest on Friday, May 18, day on the outdoor stage, and and Saturday, May 19. This food vendors will be on site. free event, sponsored by the Participating musicians are per- Mississippi Fiddlers As- mitted to camp on the grounds sociation, celebrates Missis- of Historic Jefferson College sippi’s musical heritage with Friday and Saturday nights. traditional string band music Historic Jefferson College played by some of the state’s is administered by the Missis- finest musicians. sippi Department of Archives “It’s hard not to love this and History. Established in laid-back music festival,” 1802 as the first institution of said Historic Jefferson Col- higher learning chartered in the lege director Robin Person. Mississippi Territory, the site “Visitors will find as much is located in Washington, four music being made at camp- miles northeast of Natchez on sites on the grounds as on the stages, and there will be a fiddle contest in the historic Highway 61. The address is 16 Old North everyone is welcome to sit and listen to West Wing beginning with the peewee Street, Natchez, MS 39120. those jam sessions, dance, or grab an instru- fiddle competition for children ages three For more information, contact Robert ment and join in.” through eleven and followed by the junior Gray of the Mississippi Fiddlers Associa- Events kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday with fiddle competition for teenagers. Adult fid- tion at 601-506-6561 or email wurzburg58@ a potluck dinner, followed at 7:30 by an dlers will compete after lunch. Cash prizes gmail.com. To contact Historic Jefferson old-fashioned barn dance featuring fiddle will be awarded to the top three fiddlers in College, call 601-442-2901 or email info@ music and called by Bridget Edwards, who each division. For more information about historicjeffersoncollege.com. 1868 State Constitution at Old Capitol Throughout this year, the Old began on January 7, 1868. cans from the North labeled 1, 1869. Capitol Museum will display Among the ninety-seven “carpetbaggers,” and native In addition to establishing Mississippi’s 1868 Constitution delegates selected to the con- white conservatives resistant a state-funded school system to commemorate the 150th anni- and extending access to the versary of its adoption. Crafted polls to black freedmen, the in the House of Representatives 1868 constitution added an Chamber when the building oath requiring voters to affirm served as the statehouse, the the civil and political equality document granted voting rights of all men, restored the office to black males and set a frame- of lieutenant governor that had work for the creation of a public been abolished in 1832, and school system in the state. removed the law requiring vot- “The 1868 Constitution, the ers to own property. state’s third constitution, is a The State of Mississippi was fascinating document,” said Old founded upon the 1817 constitu- Capitol Museum director Lau- tion. Forty-eight convention ren Miller. “It’s important for delegates assembled on the all Mississippians to be aware grounds of Historic Jefferson of the political advancements College to draft the document. that were made during that era.” The 1832 State Constitution— In November 1865, Mis- drafted after the Choctaw and sissippi’s first post–Civil War Chickasaw Indians ceded their legislature met in the Old lands to the United States— Capitol and passed the Black eliminated property require- Codes—a series of laws that ments for white males to vote, restricted the legal rights and outlawed dueling, and set term social mobility of freedmen. In limits for elected offices. retaliation, Congress refused “On the second floor of the to seat Mississippi’s delegation Old Capitol Museum is the and, in 1867, passed legislation ‘Government and the Constitu- that placed Mississippi and tions’ gallery, which explores other former Confederate States this era of Mississippi in detail,” under military rule. said Miller. Congress forced the states The Old Capitol, Jackson’s to write new constitutions in vention, at least sixteen were to change. oldest building, is a National order to be readmitted to the African American, eight of The convention submitted Historic Landmark. Located Union. In December 1867, Mis- whom were ministers. The other their work for Mississippi voters at 100 South State Street, the sissippians voted to write a new delegates were whites divided to approve in the spring of 1868. museum is open from 9 a.m. constitution, and a biracial cast into three factions: native white Ratification of the first constitu- to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday of delegates was elected to the Republicans derisively called tion failed, but voters ratified a and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, free of constitutional convention that “scalawags,” white Republi- revised version on December charge. Charles Frazier To Sign New Novel at Welty House Charles Frazier, who won the through the eyes of Natchez pursues a career in politics Lemuria Books. “Ultimately, 1997 National Book Award native Varina Anne Banks and is eventually appointed the book is a portrait of a for Fiction for his debut novel Howell Davis, the second president of the Confederacy, woman who comes to real- Cold Mountain, will sign wife of Confederate president placing Varina at the white- ize that complicity carries copies of his new book at Jefferson Davis. hot center of one of the dark- consequences.” the Eudora Welty House and With her marriage pros- est moments in American Lemuria Books will have Garden beginning at 5 p.m. pects limited, teenage Va- history. copies of Varina as well as on Thursday, April 26. rina Howell agrees to wed “The book is intimate in Frazier’s earlier books for At 5:30 p.m., Frazier will the much older widower, its detailed observations of sale on site. read from Varina. The book with whom she expects a one woman’s tragic life and For more information call explores the chaos and dev- life of security as a Missis- epic in its scope and power,” 601-353-7762 or email info@ astation of the Civil War sippi landowner. He instead said John Evans, owner of eudoraweltyhouse.com. Natchez Powwow Reaches Thirty Years

The thirtieth annual Natchez Powwow was held March 24-25 at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. The weekend’s activities featured a stickball game between Choctaw and Natchez Indians (top left), intertribal dancing, and plenty of opportunities for local families to meet the participants. MISSISSIPPI HISTORY newsletter

Mississippi Department of Archives and History P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571

Mississippi History Newsletter Chris Goodwin, editor

For a free subscription to the newsletter or to submit news, call 601-576-6998 or email [email protected]

IN THIS ISSUE • 1868 Constitution • Natchez Powwow • Mark Keenum Joins MDAH Board

may june history is lunch calendar The MDAH Historic - Preservation Division is developing priorities and Programs in the History Is May 16—George Malvaney present “Atticus Finch and objectives for Fiscal Year Lunch series are held noon will discuss his new University American History.” Crespino is 2018 Historic Preservation Wednesdays in the Craig H. Press of Mississippi book Cups the author of Atticus Finch: The Fund–assisted programs. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Up: How I Organized a Kla- Biography. Sales and signing Suggestions and com- Mississippi Museums unless vern, Plotted a Coup, Survived to follow. ments from the public otherwise noted. There is no Prison, Graduated College, in regard to proposed admission charge. Fought Polluters, and Started June 13—Josh Foreman and priorities, objectives, and For details call 601-576-6998 a Business. Sales and signing Ryan Starrett will discuss their projects are invited. or email [email protected]. to follow. book The Hidden History of Annually grants-in- Jackson. This program will aid are made available May 2—Ellen Meacham, Meek May 23—Author John Cuevas take place in the Old Capitol through a competitive School of Journalism and New and photographer Jason Taylor Museum. application process to Media at the University of Mis- will discuss their new book Certified Local Govern- sissippi, will discuss her new Discovering Cat Island: Photo- June 20—Rebecca Tuuri will ments. Historic preserva- book Delta Epiphany: Robert graphs and History. Sales and discuss her new book Strategic tion projects benefiting mi- F. Kennedy in Mississippi. Sales signing to follow. Sisterhood: The National Coun- norities and the disabled and signing to follow. cil of Negro Women in the Black are encouraged. May 30—University of Missis- Freedom Struggle. Sales and Address comments May 11—Multi-instrumentalist sippi assistant professor Brian signing to follow. or questions to Jim Wo- and music historian Tim Avalon Foster will present “Race, Cul- odrick, director, Historic will present “The Differences ture, and (Un)Making Place in June 27—Stephanie Clanton Preservation Division, between Bluegrass and Old the Rural South. Rolph will discuss her new book MDAH, P.O. Box 571, Time Music” and play examples Resisting Equality: The Citizens’ Jackson, Mississippi of each. Co-sponsored by the June 6—Emory University Council in Three Movements. 39205. Mississippi Historical Society. professor Joseph Crespino will Sales and signing to follow.