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The Mississippi Historical Society held its annual meeting March 5-6 in Meridian to honor its 2026 award winners, including Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dennis Mitchell, whose work has bridged public, academic, and school history.

Awards were also given for Book of the Year, Journal of Mississippi History Article of the Year, and Teacher of the Year at the gathering that drew nearly 200 people to both the Riley Center and the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience.

In a career spanning five decades, Mitchell has advanced the cause of history and historical understanding as an advocate, scholar, educator, editor, and mentor. Mitchell spearheaded the development of a new history curriculum for Mississippi’s public schools and the production of what remains one of the most widely adopted textbooks for Mississippi studies.

M. J. O’Brien is an author and researcher who served for 25 years as the chief communications and public relations officer for a national not-for-profit cooperative. He won the Book of the Year Award for “The Tougaloo Nine: The Jackson Library Sit-In at the Crossroads of Civil War and Civil Rights,” which chronicles the historic 1961 sit-in by nine Black Tougaloo College students at Jackson’s segregated library, leading to arrests and a violent police response during Mississippi’s Civil War centennial.

“Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers,” a documentary by Mississippi Public Broadcasting, won the Excellence in History Award. The Outstanding Local Historical Society Award was presented to Walthall County Historical Society. The Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Catherine McGowin of Southeast Lauderdale High School.

Sean Scott, a professor at The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, received the Journal of Mississippi History Article of the Year Award for “James Lynch and the Merging of Religious and Political Reconstruction in Mississippi.” 

Awards of Merit were presented to the Lanier High School National Alumni Association for organizing the celebration of the centennial of Lanier High School; to the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation for showcasing and preserving the legacy of Rodgers’ music career; to Juanita Green Hollinghead for writing “Beyond the Green Window: Consequences of the Piney Woods Murder of 1921” and preserving the history of Greene County; to Canton Tourism for preserving and promoting the history of the Civil Rights Movement in Canton through historical markers; to the Soulé Steam Museum in Meridian for preserving the history of steam engine factories and their contribution to the development of Mississippi’s lumber industry; to Rose Hill Storytellers for its annual cemetery tour and downtown history walk featuring storytellers in period costume; to Robert Luckett for the opening of the COFO Pocket Park at Jackson State University to highlight this center of civil rights activity in Mississippi; and to the Riley Foundation for renovating the Grand Opera House, Deen Building, and Rosenbaum Building to preserve the architectural history of downtown Meridian; to the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience for educating the public about the history of Mississippi’s artists, writers, musicians, and entertainers; to Meridian Community College for preserving Ivy-Scaggs Hall and restoring its mosaic mural; to Meridian Public School District for achieving Mississippi Landmark status for Meridian High School, Magnolia Middle School, and Crestwood Elementary School; to Meridian Rails Historical Society for opening the Meridian Railroad Museum and preserving and restoring artifacts from the railroad era.

Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez, completed his term as president of the society and welcomed the new president, Keena Graham, superintendent for the Medgar and Myrlie Evers National Monument in Jackson. Tenured professor and director of the Margaret Walker Center and COFO Center at Jackson State University, Robby Luckett, was selected as vice-president. New board members are Owen Hyman, University of Mississippi; Thomas T.J. Mayfield, Vicksburg alderman; Patricia Rangel, The South Way Foundation; Brian Wilson, state treasury of Mississippi; Keith Wilson, D’Iberville Historical Society; and Jerid Woods, Baldwin and Company Books.

The Mississippi Historical Society, founded in 1858, encourages outstanding work in interpreting, teaching, and preserving Mississippi history. Membership is open to anyone. Benefits include receiving the Journal of Mississippi History, the Mississippi History Newsletter, and discounts at the Mississippi Museum Store. For information on becoming a member, visit www.mississippihistory.org. 

Photos attached. 

Roscoe Barnes III, Dennis Mitchell

Roscoe Barnes III, Joyce Dixon-Lawson, Taiwo Gaynor, Reena Evers-Everette, Pamela D.C. Junior 

Mississippi Makers Fest, the free outdoor celebration of music, food, and art, returns to downtown Jackson on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The annual event will take place on the Entergy Plaza in front of the Two Mississippi Museums and will feature an unforgettable lineup of live performances, including Grammy Award-winning headliner The Band Perry.

Makers Fest is more than a concert; it’s a showcase of Mississippi’s creativity. Alongside the music, visitors can browse over 60 artisan booths and enjoy fresh, made-to-order dishes from local food trucks, all while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind festival, sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. 

The Band Perry first captivated the music scene in 2010 with their RIAA DIAMOND-certified hit “If I Die Young.” Led by Kimberly Perry, the band returned in 2025 after a brief hiatus, and their Makers Fest performance marks a highlight of their 2026 comeback tour. Known for their Appalachian gothic sound and heartfelt storytelling, The Band Perry has earned multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM awards, cementing their place as one of country music’s most dynamic acts.

“Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi is proud to serve as the title sponsor of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s 2026 Mississippi Makers Fest in celebration of our state’s many diverse, emerging and established artists,” said Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Corporate Communications Director Cayla Mangrum. “With a vast platform showcasing creativity with enriching experiences set in an exciting festival atmosphere, Makers Fest fosters social connections, artistic education and civic pride, and when Mississippi’s cultural heritage curators and artists thrive, we all do.”

Before The Band Perry takes the stage, four Mississippi-based artists will set the tone for an incredible day of music:

• John Clayton White, a 14-year-old blues prodigy, will open the festival. Already touring the South with his band, White wowed crowds at Ground Zero’s 24th Anniversary, performing in front of co-owner and Mississippi native Morgan Freeman.
• Next up is Sam Donald, a “grunge country” vocalist and guitarist whose fame skyrocketed in 2024 after going viral on TikTok. Donald’s unique sound, developed with longtime producer Zack Keel, blends grit and country soul in a way that’s turning heads nationwide.
• Third is Vasti Jackson, a Grammy-nominated blues legend whose career spans decades as a vocalist, guitarist, producer, and educator. Jackson’s collaborations include work with major talents such as Tyler Perry.
• Rounding out the lineup before the headliner is KIRBY, a singer-songwriter who has songwriting credits spanning from “FourFiveSeconds,” a massive hit from 2015, Demi Lovato, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande tracks, to her own studio albums. 

Beyond the music, Mississippi Makers Fest is a full-day celebration of creativity under the open sky. Visitors can explore booths featuring Mississippi’s finest artisans, including ceramicists, bead makers, painters, textile artists, and more. These makers will sell unique, handmade treasures. With art to discover, food trucks serving mouthwatering dishes, and the energy of live performances, Makers Fest promises an unforgettable experience for all ages.

“We are thankful to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi for being the title sponsor of the 2026 Mississippi Makers Fest,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums. “Their continued support ensures free admission that day, an excellent musical lineup, vendor opportunities for Mississippi artists, and delicious food.”

Other sponsors include AT&T, StateStreetGroup, Nissan, Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Capital City Beverages, Visit Jackson, Digio Strategies, Community Bank, Visit Mississippi, Lucid Ink, Cathead Distillery, and The Foundation for Mississippi History. 

Gates will open at 10 a.m., and music will start at 1 p.m. 

Festival Guidelines: Blankets and one collapsible lawn chair per person are allowed. Only clear bags will be permitted, including purses, fanny packs, diaper bags, and all other bags.

For more information, visit https://msmakersfest.mdah.ms.gov/. 

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Meredith Kehoe has been promoted to Historic Preservation Division Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). Previously serving as the Deputy Director of the same division, Kehoe was initially hired by MDAH as an Architectural Historian in October 2018. 

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from the College of Charleston and a Master of Preservation Studies from Tulane School of Architecture. 

Kehoe assumed the role Feb. 1, taking the place of Barry White, who was selected as the Director of MDAH at the end of 2025. 

As the Historic Preservation Division Director, Kehoe will oversee the department’s programming in architectural history, archaeology, technical preservation, and preservation planning. 

“As a native Mississippian, it has been incredibly fulfilling to work with local communities and partners across the state on a variety of preservation projects,” Kehoe remarked. “I am excited to continue our work to preserve Mississippi's historic resources through all of our programming as I step into the role of Director of the Historic Preservation Division.”

Mississippi Made, a special exhibit highlighting the people, industries and creative traditions that have shaped Mississippi and influenced the nation, will open March 7 at the Two Mississippi Museums. 

Presented in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Mississippi Made traces more than two centuries of innovation, craftsmanship and cultural influence through approximately 250 artifacts. The free exhibit spans from the early 19th century to the present day, reflecting Mississippi’s role in agriculture, manufacturing, music, fashion, science, literature and the arts.

“The stories featured in Mississippi Made illustrate how Mississippi’s people and ideas have made a lasting impact on both the nation and the world,” said Katie Blount, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “This exhibit offers visitors an opportunity to better understand those contributions through the objects that document that legacy.”

Objects on display include a 19th century cotton spin-ginner used on small plantations, patent models and tools tied to Mississippi inventors, and a Lindsey eight-wheel log wagon developed in the early 20th century to support the state’s timber industry. Together, these objects illustrate how Mississippians responded to local needs with ingenuity that achieved national and global reach.

The exhibit also highlights Mississippi’s impact on music and literature. Elvis Presley’s bathrobe and a Velvet Elvis wall tapestry are among the artifacts, along with those tied to music icons B.B. King and Jimmie Rodgers, and Leontyne Price. Literary contributions are represented through portraits of William Faulkner and Richard Wright, painted by Mississippi artists, and Eudora Welty’s typewriter.

Design, craft and cultural expression are featured through pottery by George Ohr, an embroidered piece by Ethel Wright Mohamed, a loom and a coverlet woven on that loom, a dress designed by Vicksburg native Patrick Kelly, and a gown worn by Miss America Mary Ann Mobley. Film and popular culture are reflected through set pieces from “A Time to Kill,” a film based on John Grisham’s novel of the same name. The movie was filmed primarily in Mississippi.

Mississippi’s connections to science, transportation and industry are explored through objects such as a NASA flight jacket worn by astronaut Richard Truly, along with vehicles manufactured by Toyota and Nissan in Mississippi. Artifacts tied to tourism and leisure highlight Mississippi’s mid-century tourism and hospitality culture.

“Mississippi Made brings together objects that tell a broader story about the state’s creativity, industry and innovation,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums. “Each artifact reflects how Mississippians responded to local needs in ways that shaped life far beyond the state.”

Mississippi Made is sponsored by Wayne-Sanderson Farms and will be on exhibit through Nov. 6, 2026.

"As a company with deep Mississippi roots, Wayne-Sanderson Farms has a long history in the state—beginning with the separate legacy operations of Sanderson Farms and Wayne Farms and combining to become the industry leader we are today,” said Wayne-Sanderson Farms President and CEO Kevin McDaniel. “It's exciting to see the progress we've made together in Mississippi as business partners and as neighbors, and we're proud to sponsor this exhibit and share that story."

Museum hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission to the museums is free every Sunday. The Two Mississippi Museums are located at 222 North St. in Jackson. Free parking is available along North Street and in the visitor garage on Jefferson Street.

For more information, visit www.mdah.ms.gov.

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In honor of the lives and work of Gov. William Winter and First Lady Elise Winter, admission is free at the Two Mississippi Museums on Saturday, Feb. 21. Free admission is made possible by Jones Walker LLP, which acquired Watkins, Ludlam, Winter and Stennis, where William Winter worked for over 50 years. 

"It is an honor and a privilege to recognize the contributions of Governor and First Lady Winter by supporting the Two Mississippi Museums’ William Winter Free Day," said Bill Hines, managing partner of Jones Walker LLP. "We are confident that visitors will gain insight into their commitment to Mississippi's history and their efforts toward educating future generations." 

Known for his staunch support for public education in Mississippi, Winter helped raise endowment funds to bring Mississippi’s schoolchildren to the Two Mississippi Museums – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

The Two Mississippi Museums stand at the intersection of Winter’s greatest passions – history, education, and racial justice. He was a leading force behind the public/private partnerships that created the site’s conception and eventual construction. He once said the museums “were built for all of us, but most especially they were built for our children and our grandchildren and future generations.”

Winter served on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees for more than 50 years and was president for nearly that long. He died Dec.18, 2020, at the age of 97. Elise Winter, who was a community activist and author, died just six months after her husband on July 17, 2021. 

The Foundation for Mississippi History established The William and Elise Winter Education Endowment to memorialize the Winters and their commitment to education and preservation. Funds are used to defray costs such as admission, travel, and on-site lunches for students. 

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The Two Mississippi Museums are now displaying the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer.

Fannie Lou Hamer’s Presidential Medal of Freedom was donated by her family to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and is on display at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, part of the Two Mississippi Museums.

“I am gratified that Aunt Fannie’s Presidential Medal of Freedom will be exhibited in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum,” said her niece, Marilyn Mays. “Her courage and perseverance in the face of adversity are a shining example of patriotism and a reminder of our responsibility to safeguard our rights and freedoms for all and for future generations.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to Hamer in January 2025 in recognition of her lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement. One year after the award was conferred, the medal is now among a small number of Presidential Medals of Freedom associated with civil rights leaders that are accessible to the public. Hamer’s medal is on display in the “I Question America” gallery in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Monica Land, who is also Hamer’s niece and producer of the documentary Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, said the family chose to donate the medal so it could be shared publicly and encourage visitors to learn more about Hamer’s life, legacy and the sacrifices she made in the fight for voting rights.

"I am so happy we were able to gift this award to the museum and to the people of Mississippi," Land said. "Aunt Fannie Lou loved Mississippi and, hopefully, this donation will spark or further interest in her life and all that she fought so hard to accomplish for all people – not just Black people."

Land is also the project director for the digital Fannie Lou Hamer Educational Resource Center.

“Displaying Fannie Lou Hamer’s Presidential Medal of Freedom allows visitors to reflect on the extraordinary courage and influence of her activism,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums. “Presenting this medal at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is especially meaningful, as it connects a national honor to the place and movement that shaped her life’s work.”

Hamer is remembered for her leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, grounding her activism in the lived experiences of Black Mississippians. Her voice and actions resonated far beyond the state.

Born in 1917 in rural Mississippi, Hamer emerged as a leading advocate for voting rights after becoming involved with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the early 1960s. Her nationally televised testimony before the credentials committee at the 1964 Democratic National Convention – often referred to as her “I Question America” speech – drew national attention to the violence and intimidation faced by Black Mississippians seeking to register to vote, and it helped galvanize support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Two Mississippi Museums – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum – opened Dec. 9, 2017, in celebration of Mississippi’s bicentennial. The interconnected museums take visitors through the sweep of Mississippi history and the state’s central role in the nation’s Civil Rights Movement.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

Photos below. 

Marilyn Mays, Michael Morris, and Eddie Fair. 

FedEx will sponsor free admission to the Two Mississippi Museums during an extended observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Jan. 17-20. Events include the MLK Night of Culture and National Day of Racial Healing programs.

The annual observance invites visitors to learn more about King’s legacy and Mississippi’s pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement through education, performance, and dialogue.

“We are grateful to FedEx for its continued support of our annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums. “This weekend offers meaningful opportunities for reflection, learning, and community engagement.”

FedEx has sponsored the weekend for seven consecutive years. This is the second year FedEx has generously extended the celebration to include Tuesday, Jan. 20, a day designated as National Day of Racial Healing.

“At FedEx, we are guided by the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive in work and life,” said Rose Jackson Flenorl, manager of Equality, Opportunity, and Diversity. “This conviction echoes Dr. King’s powerful vision and affirms our ongoing commitment to the Two Mississippi Museums.”

King’s ties to Mississippi include his support of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party during Freedom Summer in 1964 and his participation in the March Against Fear in 1966, which concluded in Jackson.

“The MLK Celebration provides an important opportunity to reflect on Mississippi’s place in our nation’s history,” said Katie Blount, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, which administers the Two Mississippi Museums. “Support from FedEx helps ensure these stories remain accessible as we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.”

The MLK Night of Culture will feature the theatrical production, A Carefully Calculated Murder, on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium. The 45-minute performance by Meridian High School students is based on the true story of the June 1964 Neshoba County murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman. 

The evening’s emcee is Amanda Furdge, a Mississippi-based writer, poet, and community organizer. 

The 2026 National Day of Racial Healing will be observed Tuesday, Jan. 20, with a panel discussion on faith and philanthropy, honoring activists Rims and Judy Barber. The program begins at 11 a.m. in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium, with free lunch provided by the Foundation for the Mid South.

Later that day, a reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums, offering space for attendees to share stories and reflections on the Barbers’ legacy. 

Rims Barber, a Presbyterian minister from Iowa, came to Mississippi in 1964 as a Freedom Summer volunteer and went on to play a significant role in civil rights, community organizing, and public policy efforts across the state. His work included service with the Delta Ministry, support of the Freedom City project in Greenville, assistance with redistricting lawsuits, and leadership with the Children’s Defense Fund. He and his wife continue to live in Jackson and remain engaged in community advocacy.

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The Two Mississippi Museums opened Dec. 9, 2017, in celebration of Mississippi’s bicentennial. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

The 2025 Mississippi listings in the National Register of Historic Places include Provine Chapel at Mississippi College, the home of a lauded quiltmaker in Jefferson County and five historic districts across the state. In all, 15 properties were listed in the National Register this year.

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of historic resources worthy of preservation. Mississippi has 1,534 listings in the National Register. Most of the listings in the National Register are buildings, but other historic resources which have been listed are historic districts, objects, sites, and structures.

The Mississippi National Register Review Board, administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, reviews and makes comments on any changes needed to be made to the nominations. The approved nominations are forwarded to the National Park Service, which makes the final determination to list the resource.

These historic resources tell Mississippi’s stories. For example, the Hystercine Rankin House near Lorman was shared by the award-winning quiltmaker and her husband, Ezekiel. The John R. Lynch Street Civil Rights Historic District, comprised of a few buildings on the campus of Jackson State University, was a hub for civil rights activism in the 1960s. The J. W. Randolph School, a Rosenwald school in Pass Christian, survived Katrina, and has been restored to its 1927 appearance. Rosenwald Schools were funded by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald to advance education for African American children in the segregated South.

The following is the full list of the 2025 Mississippi sites and the chronological order in which they were listed in the National Register:

• John R. Lynch Street Civil Rights Historic District, Jackson, Hinds County, Jan. 16 – The district was a hub for the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s, with an inventory including the building which housed the state office of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), and the M. W. Stringer Grand Lodge, where Medgar Evers’s office was located and where Freedom Summer 1964 was organized and executed. 
   
• Whitehead & Lloyd Motor Company, Jackson, Hinds County, Jan. 22 – The automobile dealership was constructed in 1945 and designed by Jackson-based architect Edgar Lucian Malvaney in the Art Moderne style meant to symbolize that the car industry and the country were entering a new modern era. The building is the only dealership from the “automobile row” of dealerships on State Street that retains its historic integrity.
   
• Holly Bluff on the Jordan Historic District, Bay St. Louis vicinity, Hancock County, Jan. 30 – The historic district is significant for its landscape designed gardens, meant for public recreation and touring. In addition, the district is significant for its excellent grouping of Rustic-styled buildings, containing a lodge and cottage. The picturesque placement of the gardens by the Jordan River made this a well-traveled public garden along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
   
• Tupelo Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase I) Tupelo, Lee County, Jan. 30 – This boundary increase expands the original district, listed in the National Register in 2014, to the railroad tracks. The area has commercial and industrial buildings that were built from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. 
   
• J. W. Randolph School, Pass Christian, Harrison County, Feb. 19 – The Colonial Revival building was constructed in 1927 as a Rosenwald school. Originally named the Harrison County Training School, the school was the only public high school for black students in Pass Christian in 1939. In that same year, it was renamed in honor of J. W. Randolph, a former Mississippi House of Representatives member, and a prominent African American schoolteacher in Pass Christian. The school survived Katrina’s destruction in 2005 and was restored to its 1927 appearance.
   
• Walker High School, Oakland vicinity, Yalobusha County, March 3 – Constructed in 1954, and designed by Edgar Lucian Malvaney, this Equalization school is where many African American children were taught until desegregation in 1970. The consolidation which followed caused the school to lose numbers until it closed permanently in 1999. 
   
• Holmesville Historic District, Holmesville, Pike County, March 13 – Established in 1816, Holmesville served as the first county seat for Pike County, along with having a Shelbyville Square-designed street grid system, which was common in Mississippi during this time period. Holmesville would remain the county seat and a bustling area until 1873, when the county seat was moved to Magnolia by act of the state Legislature.
   
• Raymond House, Verona, Lee County, April 1 – Also known as the Verona Heritage House, this is a rare surviving example of a single dwelling cottage built in the antebellum Gothic Revival style in Verona. The house is the oldest surviving residence in Verona and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the town.
   

• Evans House and Barn, Laurel vicinity, Jones County, June 10 – The house and barn are the remaining elements of an early homestead, dating back to the second half of the 19th century. Though the house has undergone multiple remodels (including necessary repairs after Hurricane Camille in 1969), it still retains its core elements, such as the house’s I-house form and the barn’s original crib. 
   

• J. W. Crawford and Co. General Store, Hickory Flat, Benton County, June 18 – Constructed in 1913, the store is a highly intact example of an early 20th century country store. Such stores were once common but have been slowly disappearing from the architectural landscape of Mississippi. 
• Greater Biloxi Subdivision Historic District, Biloxi, Harrison County, Sept. 18 – Constructed between c. 1949 and c.1969, the subdivision was designed to serve as a place of residence for World War II veterans returning home. The district primarily contains single dwellings, but includes a former church, a few apartment complexes, and a commercial business building. The subdivision is one of the largest and most intact examples of a post-World War II residential subdivision in Biloxi.
   
• Mitchell & McLendon General Merchants, Enid, Tallahatchie County, Sept. 23 – Constructed c. 1910, the former store served as the commercial and social center of the Town of Enid during the early 20th century, and the building embodies the distinctive characteristics of commercial architecture of the early 20th century. Much like the J. W. Crawford store, this store represents a dwindling historic resource type in rural Mississippi.
   
• Hystercine Rankin House, Lorman vicinity, Jefferson County, Sept. 25 – The vernacular bungalow house was owned by renowned quilter Hystercine Rankin and her husband, Ezekiel. 
   
• Easom High School, Corinth, Alcorn County, Oct. 30 – The original building on the school campus was constructed in 1954 and received additional buildings until c. 1966. Built around the same time as the Walker High School, Easom was an Equalization school, being the only public high school for African American students in several northeastern Mississippi counties. The school received black students from Iuka, Tishomingo County. All the buildings on campus were designed by Barton A. England, Jr., an Alabama-born architect who worked under E. L. Malvaney, and established an architecture firm in Corinth, Mississippi.
   
• Provine Chapel, Clinton, Hinds County, Nov. 21 – Constructed in 1860, the temple form Greek Revival-style Provine Chapel is on Mississippi College campus. Having been constructed during the early days of Mississippi College, Provine Chapel has been at the center of campus life. The chapel served the students as an educational facility and served the city of Clinton as a Baptist church until 1923, when First Baptist Church of Clinton was built across the street from the campus.

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Photos

Provine Chapel, Clinton, Hinds County

Hystercine Rankin House, Lorman vicinity, Jefferson County

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees has selected Barry White, longtime preservation leader and current director of the agency’s Historic Preservation Division, as the next director of MDAH. White will succeed outgoing director Katie Blount on July 1, 2026.

White has spent more than a decade working across programs that identify, document, and preserve Mississippi’s historic places. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied anthropology with a focus on historic preservation from Mississippi State University. During his tenure, he has overseen major preservation initiatives, administered statewide grant programs, supported communities through the Certified Local Government program, and built partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.

“It is an honor to be selected to lead an agency with such a vital mission,” White said. “The work of MDAH is rooted in service – preserving the stories, places, and records that define Mississippi. I look forward to supporting the talented staff across the department and building on the strong foundation that has been laid.”

White will begin transitioning into his new role in early 2026 to ensure a smooth handoff of responsibilities.

“Katie Blount’s leadership has strengthened this agency in profound and lasting ways, and Barry is the right person to lead MDAH into our next chapter,” said Spence Flatgard, president of the MDAH Board of Trustees. “His experience, integrity, and relationships across the state give him a deep understanding of both our mission and our partners who help carry us forward.”

White began his career at MDAH as a local government assistance coordinator before serving as liaison for MDAH and the Mississippi Department of Transportation and deputy director of the Historic Preservation Division. He became division director in 2020. In this role, he has administered programs including the National Register of Historic Places, the Mississippi Landmark program, the Historical Marker Program, and preservation grant initiatives that have helped communities rehabilitate historic courthouses, schools, and significant cultural landmarks.

White also is among the leadership team developing a regional hub for education, research and workforce development at Historic Jefferson College near Natchez. Mississippi State University is MDAH’s partner on the project.

Blount, who announced her retirement earlier this year, praised White’s commitment to preservation and collaboration. 

“Barry has earned the trust of colleagues and communities throughout Mississippi,” Blount said. “He’s forged strong relationships with key stakeholders through his thoughtful approach to preservation and his dedication to public service.”

Reflecting on the work ahead, White said: “Our stories belong to every Mississippian, and I am committed to strengthening our connections to communities across the state. As we look to the future, collaboration will continue to drive our efforts to preserve and share Mississippi’s history in meaningful ways.”

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is the second-oldest state department of archives and history in the United States. The department collects, preserves, and provides access to the archival resources of the state, administers various museums and historic sites, and oversees statewide programs for historic preservation, state and local government records management, and publications. For more information, call 601-576-6850 or email info@mdah.ms.gov.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has announced two promotions within its Archives and Records Services Division.

Julie Dees will succeed current ARS Director David Pilcher, who will retire December 31, after 40 years with MDAH. Ally Mellon, the division’s director of library services, will become the division’s first deputy director.

Dees, who had served as head of electronic archives, has been with MDAH since 1996, when she was hired in an IT support role. Dees has a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Millsaps College and a master’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina.

Mellon joined MDAH in 2019. Previously, she worked for the Mississippi Library Commission. Mellon has a bachelor’s in English and journalism from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in library and information sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“These promotions will help form a strong leadership team in ARS, which is vital to preserving Mississippi history,” said Katie Blount, director of MDAH. “They’ll succeed David Pilcher, who has dedicated four decades to preserving Mississippi’s archives and the stories they carry.”