State Historical Society Announces Call for Papers
The Mississippi Historical Society (MHS) is pleased to announce a call for individual papers for a special 2026 issue of the Journal of Mississippi History, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States.
“This landmark anniversary provides a unique opportunity to explore Mississippi's rich history within the broader context of American history—reflecting on the past 250 years and envisioning the future,” said Stephanie Rolph, a Millsaps College professor and former MHS president, who will edit the special issue.
MHS secretary-treasurer William “Brother” Rogers said authors should use as a guide the themes in Making History at 250 Field Guide from the American Association for State and Local History.
“This special issue for America250 will allow scholars to examine topics such as the role Mississippi has played in America’s fight for liberty and justice for all, and how the narrative of Mississippi history has changed since the American Bicentennial in 1976,” Rogers said.
Each author selected for publication will receive a $1,000 honorarium. Submissions must be received by September 15, 2025, by emailing the manuscript to mhs@mdah.ms.gov with the subject line “Special Issue Submission: America250.” Manuscripts should be submitted in Word format, typed and double-spaced, and between 5,000 and 8,000 words, including footnotes and references. Please follow the Chicago Manual of Style for citations.
Submissions must include a 250-word abstract with the topic, author’s name, and affiliation. Each paper will undergo a peer review process prior to acceptance. Final selections will be based on relevance to the 250th commemorative theme and the paper’s effectiveness in placing Mississippi’s history within the larger context of American history. The issue seeks to include a diverse collection of essays representing a variety of perspectives, topics, and time periods. Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their manuscripts by December 15, 2025.
For more information, visit the Mississippi Historical Society website at www.mississippihistory.org.