MISSISSIPPI HISTORY newsletter

A PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY

Summer 2017 Volume 59, No. 2 State Capitol Named National Landmark The Mississippi State Capitol Building has been recognized for its contributions to the country’s cultural and historical heritage with the designation of National Historic Landmark. Elected officials were joined by National Park Service representative Kath- leen Bond at a ceremony commemorating the honor at the capitol on May 4. “The Mississippi State Capitol is being recognized today as nationally significant for its architectural splendor, but it is also important to me because it stands witness to all the momentous events of the twentieth century in Mississippi,” said Bond. “This building was born in a time of newly legis- lated racial segregation and stood through the unfolding events that marked the progress of civil rights for Mississippians.” The Mississippi State Capitol is a magnificent example of the Beaux Arts style, with large, grandiose spaces and an From left, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, Governor Phil Bryant, Natchez National Historical Park abundance of classical detail, stone finishes, Superintendent Kathleen Bond, and Speaker Philip Gunn unveil the National Historic Landmark and architectural elements. The building is plaque at the Mississippi State Capitol. 402 feet long, 225 feet wide at the center, interior is also designed to impress. When features a significant collection of art glass and rises 180 feet at its dome. An eight-foot- the capitol was being constructed, electric by Louis J. Millet of the Art Institute of tall copper eagle, coated with gold leaf, sits lighting was a novelty of modern technol- Chicago. atop the dome and measures fifteen feet ogy. Consequently, 4,750 lights were used The main rotunda is of Italian marble from wingtip to wingtip. throughout the building as an architectural with trimmings of jet-black marble from The exterior of the capitol is limestone element, highlighting and outlining the . Its friezes and columns lead over a base course of Georgia granite. The structure’s other features. The building CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Preservation Grants Awarded across State At its quarterly board meeting in April, “During this bicentennial year, we are the state.” the Mississippi Department of Archives enthusiastic about the many different types The 2017 grants are as follows: and History awarded grants totaling more of Certified Local Government grants we Booneville, $1,750, to create design than $74,000 to ten preservation projects are able to offer,” said Michelle Jones, guidelines for the Downtown Booneville in Certified Local Government communi- MDAH Local Preservation Assistance National Register District. ties across the state. Grant amounts range Coordinator. “From relocating a railroad Greenville, $1,500, to develop a from $1,750 to create design guidelines feature in McComb that would otherwise website and exhibit commemorating for downtown Booneville to $15,000 to be lost to helping preserve Walter Ander- Mississippi’s bicentennial, and for historic complete a comprehensive survey for the son murals in Ocean Springs, these are preservation education. Midtown neighborhood in Jackson. exciting projects for the communities and CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 STATE CAPITOL, continued from p.1 the eye to the majestic and colorful dome. Jackson. Soon after his election in 1899, and the Secretary of the Interior makes The House of Representatives and Senate Governor Andrew Longino led an ef- the final designation. The State Capitol be- chambers at the ends of the building are fort to address comes one of built of marble and scagliola and feature the need for a just over 2,500 domed ceilings richly decorated with new capitol. sites in the oxidized copper, plaster, and stained glass. By May 1900, “This beautiful building is distin- St. Louis ar- to receive this guished from other state capitols by its chitect Theo- p r e st ig iou s unity of design and construction,” said dore Link had recognition. MDAH chief architectural historian Jen- c o m p l e t e d Other Na- nifer Baughn. “It was built in three years designs for tional Historic by a single construction firm, W.A. and the structure. Landmark A.E. Wells of Chicago.” Construction properties ad- The site draws more than 25,000 visi- began in 1901 ministered by tors each year. The building is open 8 a.m. and was com- MDA H and to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for self- pleted in 1903 open to the guided tours. Free guided tours are offered at a total cost public include Monday through Friday at 9:30 and 11 of $1,093,641, the Eudora a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. Group tours are w h i c h w a s Welty House available by reservation at 601-359-3114 or funded en- and Garden in [email protected]. tirely by back Jackson, the The state’s first capitol, no longer stand- taxes from a Grand Village ing, was a two-story building constructed lawsuit settle- of the Natchez in Jackson in 1822. The second statehouse ment with the Central Railroad. Indians in Natchez, the Old Capitol in was completed in 1839 and now serves as The National Park Service nominates Jackson, and Winterville Mounds in the Old Capitol Museum in downtown sites to be National Historic Landmarks Greenville. Emory Student Named Welty Fellow The 2017 Re- collections in the United States. search Fellowship has been The collection includes manu- awarded to Sophia Leonard, a scripts, letters, photographs, doctoral student in English at drawings, essays, and film and Emory University. Established video footage that spans Welty’s by the Eudora Welty Foundation entire life. and the Department of Archives Beginning in 1957, and over and History, the fellowship the course of more than forty seeks to encourage and support years, Welty donated materials research use of the Eudora to the department, primar- Welty Collection by graduate ily literary manuscripts and students. photographs. At her death the “We’re grateful to the Foun- remainder of her papers were dation for funding this award for bequeathed to MDAH and a seventh consecutive year and included unpublished manu- delighted that another highly scripts and 14,000 items of 2017 Eudora Welty Research Fellow Sophia Leonard. qualified fellow will make ex- correspondence with family, tensive use of the Welty Col- the William F. Winter Archives the particular context of the friends, scholars, young writers, lection again this summer,” said and History Building. New Yorker magazine shaped and noted writers. David Pilcher, director of the Leonard will explore how the contours of place in Welty’s The collection may be ac- MDAH Archives and Record the literary material of the New fiction,” says Leonard. cessed at the William F. Winter Services Division. Yorker impacts perceptions of The Eudora Welty Collec- Archives and History Building, Leonard will use the $2,000 the South at the height of its tion at the Mississippi Depart- 200 North Street, Jackson. For fellowship to cover travel, hous- cultural influence. “This re- ment of Archives and History is more information on the col- ing, and other expenses incurred search project revisits this tran- the premier collection of Eudora lection, contact Forrest Galey while doing primary research in sitional period at mid-century Welty materials in the world and at 601-576-6850 or by email at the Eudora Welty Collection at by searching for the ways that one of the most varied literary [email protected]. Historic Structure Damaged by Thieves House is a top priority,” said ervation services. “We are last—and successful—cam- First Shots of Battle MDAH director Katie Blount. working on finding a suitable paign to capture Vicksburg dur- “We are consulting with state replacement for the old-growth ing the U.S. Civil War. The Port of Port Gibson legislators, local governments, cypress used in the Shaifer Gibson Battlefield is a National Fired at Site the Port Gibson Heritage Trust, House—and something that Historic Landmark and the other state agencies, and the will last another 150 years.” Shaifer House is a Mississippi National Park Service to ensure The Shaifer House was built Landmark. Thieves vandalized the nearly the house is preserved for future two-hundred-year-old Shaifer generations.” House in Claiborne County, Staff from the Historic Pres- making off with four wooden ervation Division has made support beams and damaging weekly visits to the site since masonry piers under the house the damage was discovered. and interior flooring and walls. They are working closely with The theft was discovered on consulting architect Lawson April 1, and the actions most Newman of WFT Architects on likely occurred earlier that phase one of the project, which week. will include the emergency Staff from MDAH, which stabilization and permanent administers the site, have made replacement of the joists and an initial stabilization of the sill, floorboards, interior walls, structure to prevent further and masonry piers. Newman is damage to the house. Because generating requirements and permanent repairs have not been cost estimates that will be used completed, the site has been to select a contractor experi- MDAH deputy director Robert Benson inspects emergency stabilizations closed to the public. Security enced with historic structures made to Shaifer House. cameras have been installed, to carry out the work. by A.K. and Elizabeth Shaifer The Shaifer House restora- and a gate is being put in place to “Unfortunately, it’s not as beginning in 1826. The house tion project began in 2006 as control vehicle access to the site. simple as going to the local store was the site of the opening shots a component of the TEA-21 MDAH is working with public and purchasing pressure-treated of the Battle of Port Gibson. Mississippi Civil War Trails officials and private citizens to lumber to replace the stolen Fought on May 1, 1863, this Program. The restored house increase security at the site. pieces,” said Mingo Tingle, significant battle was the first was dedicated in November “The repair of the Shaifer MDAH chief of technical pres- in General Ulysses S. Grant’s 2007. Newest Heritage of Mississippi Book Published The first comprehensive history of lit- Mississippi’s literature. Written by literary Six other volumes in the series have erature from a state known for its writers scholars closely connected to the been published—Art in Missis- is the newest volume of the Heritage of state, the volume offers a history sippi: 1720–1980 Mississippi series. A Literary History of suitable for all readers interested in by Patti Carr Black; Mississippi was edited by Lorie Watkins learning more about Mississippi’s Religion in Missis- and includes contributions by scholars great literary tradition. sippi by Randy J. on aspects of the state’s history such as The Heritage of Mississippi Sparks; Rednecks, indigenous literature, Southwest humor, series is published jointly by the Redeemers, and slave narratives, and the literature of the Mississippi Historical Society, Race: Mississippi Civil War. MDAH, and the University Press after Reconstruc- Essays on modern and contemporary of Mississippi, with funding tion, 1877–1917 by writers and the state’s changing role in assistance from the Phil Hardin Stephen Cresswell; southern studies look at more recent Foundation. It will cover the Mississippi and the literary trends, while essays on key indi- history of the state in fifteen Civil War: The Home vidual authors offer more information on volumes. Front by Timothy B. luminaries including , The series is aimed at a Smith; The Civil War Eudora Welty, Richard Wright, broad audience of scholars, teachers, in Mississippi: Major Williams, and Margaret Walker. Finally, students, and interested general readers. Campaigns and Battles essays on autobiography, poetry, drama, The works are meant to stand as the defini- by Michael B. Ballard; and Mississippi’s and history span the creative breadth of tive studies on the topics for years to come. American Indians by James F. Barnett Jr. GRANTS, continued from p. 1 Greenville, $11,250, to reha- develop and produce a mobile Funding for the grants comes District, designated a Missis- bilitate, stabilize, and repair the device-friendly MDAH Historic from the Historic Preservation sippi Landmark at the request of foundation of the porch of the Resources Database. Fund, a federal grants program the City of Greenwood; South Joseph Weinberg House. Woodville, $7,000, to com- appropriated by the U.S. Con- Side High School in Jasper Jackson, $15,000, to con- plete tongue-and-groove finish gress and administered by the County, now William J. Berry duct a comprehensive survey flooring and work on the light- National Park Service, which Elementary School, designated of the Midtown neighborhood, ing, plumbing, and wiring of the provides financial support to a Mississippi Landmark at the which is bounded by Fortifica- interior of Polk’s Meat Market. State Historic Preservation request of school alumni; and tion, Mill, Woodrow Wilson, In addition to those grants, Offices—in Mississippi, the Smith Park of Jackson, the only and West streets. due to another community’s Historic Preservation Division public square that remains from McComb, $10,266, to re- grant relinquishment Tupelo of MDAH. the original city plan drawn by move and relocate an Illinois received an additional allocation To become a CLG, a com- Peter Vandorn, designated as Central Railroad sand tower of $10,000 for its FY16 project to munity must adopt a preserva- a Mississippi Landmark at the scheduled for demolition from rehabilitate the Spain House by tion ordinance establishing a request of the City of Jackson. railroad property in the Historic removing tin siding and replace- preservation commission in The Mississippi Landmark Kramertown Railroad District ment with lap siding. accordance with federal and designation is the highest form to the grounds of the McComb The Certified Local Gov- state guidelines. Once the com- of recognition bestowed on Railroad Depot Museum. ernment (CLG) program is a mission has been established, properties by the state of Mis- Ocean Springs, $10,000, federal-state-local partnership application for CLG status may sissippi and offers the fullest to assess the cause and level designed to assist communities be made to the National Park protection against changes that of moisture infiltration in the in dealing with diverse preser- Service through the Depart- might alter a property’s historic Ocean Springs Community vation needs through funding ment of Archives and History. character. Publicly owned prop- Center. The moisture is causing and technical assistance. CLG MDAH works closely with lo- erties that are determined to be damage to Walter Anderson communities may apply for cal government officials and historically, archaeologically, or murals. This assessment will annual grants to undertake citizens to help them create architecturally significant may provide both a short-term emer- preservation projects of impor- and manage a workable local be considered for designation. gency solution and a long-term tance to the community. Grants historic preservation program. Although the Mississippi preservation strategy. may be used for such diverse To learn more about the CLG Landmark program was de- Pascagoula, $8,000, to con- projects as the restoration of program, contact Michelle Jones signed for public properties, duct an assessment to produce historic buildings; historical, at 662-325-2520 or mjones@ owners may nominate their “as-built” architectural draw- architectural, or archaeological caad.msstate.edu. own historically significant ings, structural analysis, and site inventory work; preparation At the board meeting, three properties. Proposed changes to provide recommendations of nominations to the National sites were designated Mississip- to a Mississippi Landmark must for Pascagoula’s Louisville Register of Historic Places; pi Landmarks: Greenwood City be approved in advance by the and Nashville Railroad Depot educational programs; and staff Hall, a contributing element of Permit Committee of the Board rehabilitation. support for new historic preser- the Greenwood Commercial of Trustees of the Department of Raymond, $9,641.60, to vation commissions. and Railroad National Register Archives and History. 1817 State Constitution, 1818 U.S. Flag at Winter Building The state’s founding constitu- sissippi Territory to form a been discovered in an antique 1795. The second flag added tion and the first U.S. flag to constitution and state govern- shop in . An two stars and two stripes include Mississippi will be ment, while the eastern part extensive conservation was and flew until April 13, 1818, on display at the William F. would become the territory completed earlier this year on when the 20-star flag replaced Winter Archives and His- of . Forty-eight con- the large banner, funded by a it. tory Building through the vention delegates assembled grant from the Billups-Garth The Icons of Statehood summer. The artifacts have near Natchez in Foundation in Columbus and exhibit is on display in the toured the state as part of the on July 7, drafting the con- private donations. The flag lobby of the Winter Building celebration of Mississippi’s stitution and, after weeks of has been mounted inside a free of charge from 9 a.m. to bicentennial. deliberation, adopting it on frame to protect it and allow 5 p.m. on Mondays, 8 a.m. The state of Mississippi August 15. On December 10, it to be displayed upright. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through was founded upon the 1817 1817, Mississippi became the Only two official United Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. constitution. On March nation’s twentieth state. States flags were used before Saturdays. The 20-star U.S. 1, 1817, President James The rare 20-star flag is the 20-star flag. The first had flag will be on permanent Madison signed legislation one of only a handful known thirteen stars and stripes to display in the Museum of enabling inhabitants of the to exist. It was acquired by represent the original colo- Mississippi History when it western portion of the Mis- MDAH in 2001 after having nies and flew from 1777 until opens in December. Cornell Doctoral Student Named Evers Scholar A doctoral student from Cornell University In response, the nascent Student Nonviolent while doing primary research at the state has been named the 2017 Medgar and Myr- Coordinating Committee organized a archives. He plans to focus initially on lie Evers Research Scholar. Bobby J. Smith national food drive, which also gave the Citizens’ Council (Miss.) collection, II will explore the relationship between them direct access to black residents of 1954-1956; the Medgar Wiley and Myrlie the politics of food, race, Leflore County for a voter Beasley Evers Papers, 1900-1994; and the and activism using the registration campaign. In Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer collection, holdings of the Mississippi the spring of 1963, the 1967-2001. Department of Archives supervisors reinstituted “We’re delighted to partner with the Evers and History. the commodities program. Institute and the Kellogg Foundation on this “Bobby’s research fo- “My goal is to reveal scholarship,” said David Pilcher, director of cuses on the historical an- unexplored aspects of the MDAH Archives and Records Services tecedents of contemporary movement politics,” said Division. “Our goal is to facilitate new and ideas about food justice Smith. “My project departs exciting research using the tremendous and food sovereignty,” said from the traditional line resources here at the state archives.” Cornell University associ- of civil rights inquiry and The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research ate professor of develop- investigates the Green- Scholars Program, a collaboration between ment sociology Lori Leon- wood Food Blockade with MDAH and the Medgar and Myrlie Evers ard. “His starting point a focus on how food was a Institute supported by the W.K. Kellogg is the iconic Greenwood weapon of opposition and Foundation, encourages work in the his- Food Blockade, which is a tool of resistance in the tory of civil and human rights using the a prominent example of how food—and civil rights era.” state archives’ holdings to publish original control over access to food—mattered to Smith graduated summa cum laude with research. movement politics.” a BS degree in agricultural economics from The Evers Papers may be accessed at the In October 1962, the Leflore County Prairie View A&M University. He holds William F. Winter Archives and History board of supervisors voted to discontinue an MS in agricultural economics from Building, 200 North Street, Jackson. For the USDA’s federal commodity program, Cornell University, where he is at work on more information on the Evers Scholar which provided corn meal, rice, flour, and a PhD in the Department of Developmental program or about the Evers Papers, contact sugar free of charge each month to more Sociology. Smith will use the $4,000 award Laura Heller at 601-576-6850 or by email at than 20,000 African American residents. to cover travel, housing, and other expenses [email protected]. Wide-ranging Mississippi Encyclopedia Published Work on a project that began at The Mississippi Encyclope- of those entries seem likely to long essays on agriculture, the University of Mississippi’s dia includes solid, clear infor- surprise a lot of readers.” archaeology, the civil rights Center for the Study of Southern mation contained in a single movement, the Civil War, Culture in 2003 has at long last volume, offering with clarity contemporary issues, concluded. The Mississippi and scholarship a breadth of drama, education, the Encyclopedia—a mammoth topics unavailable anywhere environment, ethnic- collaboration that includes more else. Ted Ownby, coeditor and ity, fiction, folklife, than 1,600 entries, 1,451 pages, director of the Center for the foodways, geography, and features more than 700 Study of Southern Culture, said industry and industrial scholars who wrote entries on he hopes everyone who picks workers, law, medi- every county, every governor, up the book will find surprises. cine, music, myths and and numerous musicians, writ- “Any good encyclopedia has representations, Native ers, artists, and activists—is detailed, thorough, smart infor- , nonfiction, finally in stores. This is the first mation on topics people want to poetry, politics and encyclopedic treatment of the find,” Ownby said. “So, from a government, the press, state since 1907. journalist or traveler to a scholar religion, social and eco- The volume, published by the or teacher to a kid doing a nomic history, sports, University Press of Mississippi, school project, everyone should and visual art. appeals to anyone who wants to find ways to use the book. But The Mississippi Ency- know more about Mississippi holding it in their hands, they clopedia is the result of and the people who call it home. should find all sorts of things a collaboration between It will be especially helpful to they hadn’t thought to look up. Each entry in The the University Press of students, teachers, and scholars We think it’s revealing that the Mississippi Encyclopedia Mississippi, the Center for the researching, writing about, or work starts with ‘Abdul-Rauf, provides an authoritative but Study of Southern Culture, otherwise discovering the state, Mahmoud (Chris Jackson)’ and accessible introduction to the the Mississippi Humanities past and present. ends with ‘Ziglar, Zig,’ and both topic discussed. It also features Council, and MDAH. Excavation Reveals Insights, Mysteries to be constructed the same way as normal from civil engineering and geotechnical Project Made Necessary homes, wood walls and thatch roofs,” said firms. Pursell, “But they were large and during “We take our responsibility toward this By Heavy Rains, Slide at two of the occupations they stood right next incredibly significant site very seriously,” Winterville Mounds Site to enormous marker posts probably twenty said MDAH director Katie Blount. “The feet tall that we think marked a ceremonial Mississippi Department of Archives and location or an alignment with the sun.” History will continue to do what is neces- Did a mysterious pit constructed hundreds At least one and probably two of the sary to preserve this magnificent testament of years ago contribute to a slide on a Native mound layers were made with alternating to the Native American culture.” American mound near Greenville? Ar- dark clays and light sands, which made for Winterville Mounds, named for a nearby chaeologists who excavated at Winterville a striking visual contrast that would have community, is the site of a prehistoric cer- Mounds following the slope failure say the been evident and important to the builders. emonial center built by a Native American answer is likely “yes.” “This is once-in-a-lifetime access,” said civilization that thrived from about A.D. During torrential rains in spring 2016, a Pursell. “We would not have wished for 1000 to 1450. The people responsible for section approximately 24 feet wide, 18 feet this slide to occur, but the opportunity to these great earthworks were the ancestors deep, and 100 feet long on the northwest side of Mound A sloughed off in one sheet and slid to the foot of the 55-foot- tall earthwork to reveal the mound’s centuries-old interi- or. Mound A was constructed in stages, increasing in area and height as layers of dirt and clay were added periodically. When archaeologists were brought in to carry out excava- tions into the exposed section of the mound, they discovered the outline of a pit several layers from the top—a pit that had been dug and eventually re-filled by the moundbuilders themselves. “We don’t know why the Native Ameri- literally look back in time at the mound’s of the Chickasaws, Choctaws, and other cans created it. The pit is unique in the Mis- interior has produced insights that will American Indian tribes we know today. sissippian world,” said Corin Pursell, field enhance our understanding of the ways the The Mississippi Department of Archives director for the project’s consulting firm Native peoples constructed and used these and History operates the 42-acre site near Archaeological Research earthworks.” Greenville, which features twelve mounds (TVAR). “But its location at the center of Mound A is among the ten tallest Native and two large plazas. Most members of the this slide may indicate that rainwater was American mounds in the United States, society lived away from the mound center able to permeate the mound through the roughly the same height as a five-story build- on family farms throughout the Yazoo- feature, saturating this large sheet and mak- ing. Until modern construction techniques Mississippi River Delta basin. Only a few ing it heavy enough to slip away.” were developed, its summit was the highest of the highest-ranking tribal officials lived Another discovery made during the point between Emerald Mound in Natchez at the mound center, which was the site of excavations, which ran from November 2016 and the great mounds at Cahokia, Illinois. sacred structures and ceremonies. through February of this year, was a mas- MDAH is working closely with the Mis- In 1939 the Greenville Garden Club led sive wooden post some four or five feet in sissippi Emergency Management Agency, a community effort to purchase the site and diameter. “It may have served as the central Mississippi Department of Transportation, convey the property to the City of Green- support for a large structure that probably the Federal Highway Administration, and ville. Supported by the Winterville Mounds would have been an important ceremonial the Native Nations to develop a plan to Association, the Mississippi Department space for the people of the area.” address the damage. Access to the site of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (formerly In addition, the team found indications has been tightly controlled since the slope the Mississippi Park Commission) operated of at least five other buildings from eight failure. TVAR will submit a report on their Winterville as a state park from 1960 until different habitation layers of the mound archaeological findings that the department 2000, when the property was conveyed to exposed in the slide. “The buildings con- will use to shape plans to repair the site. MDAH. In 1993, Winterville Mounds was structed near the edge of the mound seem MDAH is currently reviewing proposals designated a National Historic Landmark. Museums To Open, Mark Bicentennial on Dec. 9

The grand opening of the Mu- and immersive environments. about the opening. They tell the new collections facilities. seum of Mississippi History “It’s been great to see the me their stories, and I can tell “Artifact mounters will be on (MMH) and Mississippi Civil creation of the exhibits from them where that history will be site to prepare the approximately Rights Museum (MCRM) is the base layers outward,” said located in the museums.” 1,800 artifacts that will be on less than six months away. On MCRM director Pamela Junior. In late summer contractors view to the public in the museum December 9 the state will com- “I’ve enjoyed watching aspects will formally e x h i b i t s , ” memorate its two hundredth of each one gradually coming transfer pos- said MDAH birthday with a celebration together, and seeing how the s e s s i o n of collections featuring a ribbon-cutting and images interact with the ac- the museums director Nan remarks by state leaders, musi- companying text.” t o M DA H . Prince. “The cal performers from around the Fabricators are installing The complex remaining ar- state, and food vendors. exhibits in MCRM’s Mississippi encompasses tifacts in the Hundreds of people have in Black and White gallery that the two muse- collection will reserved their priority passes for cover the end of the Civil War ums as well as be cared for in opening day and will receive a through the early twentieth shared spaces the state-of- keepsake card as well as a year century. Exhibit fabricators are such as tem- the-art space of unlimited admission by be- also installing The Way We porary exhibit located in the coming charter members of the Live, an MMH exhibit focused space, an au- new build- Two Museum Member program. on how people lived during the d i t o r i u m , ing.” Annual memberships begin at antebellum era. The exhibit classrooms, the Mississippi The Mississippi Museum $45. Join by August 1 to insure allows museum visitors to peer Museum Store, Nissan Café, Store will offer books on Mis- your entry to the museums when through the shack of an enslaved staff offices, collections space, sissippi history and culture; Mississippi makes history on family, the house of a yeoman exhibit fabrication area, and a artisanal goods such as pottery, December 9. farmer, and the mansion of a parking garage. Landscaping of baskets, and wooden items; Exhibit spaces in the muse- wealthy landowner and planter. the Entergy Plaza is complete. hand-crafted jewelry; educa- ums are taking shape. Exhibit “I enjoy making presenta- The plaza will be the site of the tional materials; memorabilia fabricators—1220 Exhibits for tions about the Museum of opening day celebration. such as ornaments and mugs; the MMH and Exhibit Con- Mississippi History,” said MMH Artifacts in the MDAH col- historical postcards; and maps. cepts Inc. for the MCRM—are director Rachel Myers. “People lection will be moved from For more information, email installing murals, display cases, approach me afterwards excited climate-controlled storage into [email protected]. 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]

Contents © 2017 Mississippi Department of Archives and History Katie Blount, director

IN THIS ISSUE • State Capitol • Preservation Grants • Winterville Mounds Excavation

Mark your july-august history is lunch calendar calendars for Mississippi’s third Programs in the History Is Lunch will discuss his book Living in will discuss her book Wednes- literary lawn party series are held noon Wednes- Mississippi: The Life and Times days in Mississippi: Proper days in the William F. Winter of Evans Harrington. Sales and Ladies Working for Radical Archives and History Building signing to follow. WFW Change, Freedom Summer (WFW) or Old Capitol Museum 1964, which was named best (OCM). There is no charge. August 2—Rex Buffington, book in southern women’s For information call 601- director of the Stennis Center history by the Southern Asso- 576-6998 or email info@mdah. for Public Service, will present ciation for Women Historians. ms.gov. “John C. Stennis: Mississippi’s Sales and signing to follow. Longest-serving U.S. Senator.” WFW July 12—Carolyn Brown will WFW disuss her new University Press August 23—NancyKay Sul- of Mississippi book The Artist’s August 9—Former Speaker Pro livan Wessman, author of Ka- Sketch: A Biography of Painter Tem Robert G. Clark will be the trina, Mississippi: Voices from Saturday, Kate Freeman Clark. Sales and guest of honor as Judge Fred Ground Zero, will present signing to follow. WFW Banks, Rep. Alyce Clarke, and “Katrina: Looking Back, Plan- August 19 other current and former state ning Ahead.” Sales and signing July 19—MDAH historian Jeff officials participate in a program to follow. WFW State Capitol Giambrone will present “Recol- commemorating the fiftieth lections of My Prison Life: The anniversary of the historic elec- August 30—MDAH archivist GREG ILES Civil War Memoir of Captain tion of Clark to the Mississippi Shaun Stalzer will present ANGIE THOMAS John S. Lamkin, 33rd Missis- Legislature. Reception to follow. “‘A Finger In Every Pie’: The sippi Infantry.” WFW OCM Mississippi Auditor of Public LINDA W. JACKSON Accounts in the Nineteenth RON RASH July 26—Robert W. Hamblin August 16—Debbie Z. Harwell Century.” WFW