Latest news with #MDAH
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stabilization project for Windsor Ruins now complete
CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) completed a preservation and stabilization project at Windsor Ruins. The project included a walking trail and new signs that tell the stories of the plantation owners and the people who were enslaved there. Windsor Ruins, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a Mississippi Landmark that annually draws visitors from across the globe to see what remains from a devastating 1890 fire. 'Windsor Ruins is one of those iconic Mississippi places that has fascinated people for more than 100 years,' said Katie Blount, MDAH director. 'This stabilization project has helped to preserve this site's structure and history, providing a larger narrative to be shared with future generations.' Gas Tank Getaways: Windsor Ruins According to MDAH, Windsor, completed in 1861, was designed by David Shroder and built by White artisans and carpenters, and enslaved laborers. The mansion was at the heart of an extensive cotton plantation of 2,500 acres, with a workforce of more than 300 enslaved people. Destroyed by a fire in 1890, the only remains of the mansion were 27 of its original 29 columns, the balustrade, and four iron staircases – three that disappeared in the years after the fire and one set that now serves as the entrance to Oakland Memorial Chapel at Alcorn State University. By 1970, only 23 columns remained. In 1974, MDAH began its oversight of Windsor after its donation by the Magruder family. Beginning in 2016, MDAH undertook a significant effort to stabilize the columns. Officials said the project included stabilizing the masonry and stucco for all the columns by installing anchors to bond materials together and reconstruction of missing brickwork and repointing deteriorated joints in the plinths. Large areas of stucco had been lost on the bases since 1936, resulting in the exposure of this brickwork. Preservationists focused on stabilizing detached sections by injecting a conservation mortar. The project was completed in 2024. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mississippi Makers Fest returns to Jackson this weekend
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – One of the biggest spring events hosted by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) will return to Jackson this weekend. On Friday, organizers helped set up tents, signs and tables for the 2025 Mississippi Makers Fest outside the Two Mississippi Museums. This event celebrates the state's music, culture, food and art. Visit Jackson reveals master plan for future destination growth Each year, the festival takes place the Saturday before Mother's Day. With the threat of rain this year, organizers have made provisions. 'The show must go on. So if there's a little drizzle, we'll continue, but there may be delay for lightning. If that's the case. We have QR codes posted everywhere. You can scan the QR code, and then once that's cleared up, we'll start the show again,' said Kimberlee Cooper, with the Mississippi Makers Fest. Throughout the day, there will be folk, blues, rock and bluegrass performances. The event is free and open to the public. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
ACTC professor is 2025 Eudora Welty Research Fellow
ASHLAND Kyle Alvey, a doctoral student at Purdue University, has been named the 2025 Eudora Welty Research Fellow. Alvey will use archival holdings in the Eudora Welty Collection housed at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to research the life and work of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Alvey, an instructor with the Ashland Community and Technical College system, will use the $5,000 fellowship award to cover his travel, housing and other expenses incurred while conducting his primary Welty research at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building in Jackson. 'Like many American writers, the legacy of Eudora Welty is complex and requires an understanding of contextual layering, looking at aspects of race, gender, class, identity, Southern qualities and more,' Alvey said. 'It is my hope with this fellowship to produce a series of essays fit for publication that focused on around Eudora Welty's short story, 'Where is the Voice Coming From?,' that tells the story of the assassination of Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers from the perspective of the assassin. My focus is the role this story had in her life as a Southern writer and a social activist, as well as in the overall trajectory of the 20th century Civil Rights Movement.' David Pilcher, director of the MDAH Archives and Record Services Division, acknowledged the Eudora Welty Foundation's support of the fellowship program. 'I am certain Kyle will gain valuable insights this summer, making excellent use of digitized Welty Collection materials and extensive paper archives to conduct his research,' Pilcher said, citing that the foundation makes those materials accessible through MDAH. Alvey received a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Kentucky. He is completing a master of arts in history at Marshall University in May 2025. He is starting his PhD in English with a focus in American literature of the 20th and 21st centuries in the fall and states the archival research experience will be an excellent precursor to his advanced studies. The Eudora Welty Collection is the world's finest collection of materials related to Welty and one of the most varied literary collections in the United States. The collection includes manuscripts, letters, photographs, drawings, essays, and film and video footage that spans Welty's entire life. Beginning in 1957, over the course of more than 40 years, Welty donated materials to the department, primarily literary manuscripts and photographs. At her death, her remaining papers were bequeathed to MDAH and included unpublished manuscripts and 14,000 items of correspondence with family, friends, scholars, young writers, and noted writers. The Eudora Welty Collection can be accessed at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building at 200 N. St. in Jackson. The Eudora Welty Digital Archives also features selections of correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, and other media related to Welty. For more information on the archival collections or the Eudora Welty Research Fellowship, call Elisabeth Cambonga at (601) 576-6868, or by email at fellowships@
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 14-16
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Take some time to unwind with friends, family or yourself this weekend. Below you'll find a list of some fun events going on this weekend (March 14-16) around Mississippi. – Jackson – Friday Iconic saxophonist Boney James brings his 'Slow Burn Tour' to the Jackson Convention Complex. – Natchez – Friday Hear the story of how Annie Stewart came to Natchez to marry the love of her life only to become terribly ill and have her life cut short before her nuptials. – Jackson – Friday and Saturday This will be a celebration of culinary excellence showcasing the best local, regional and national chefs. There will be live music, cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions. – Jackson – Friday, Saturday & Sunday Join the award-winning LeFleur Museum District for an imagination-filled Spring Break during Week of Wonder! – Jackson – Friday, Saturday & Sunday This exhibition will feature over 50 handmade and machine-stitched quilts from MMA's permanent collection, including Crossroads Quilters, Gwendolyn Magee, and several collected by American photographer Roland L. Freeman on his travels. – Jackson – Friday, Saturday & Sunday Enter the wonderfully puzzling world of Mindbender Mansion, an eclectic place full of brainteasers and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers! Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers – Jackson – Friday, Saturday & Sunday Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers showcases photographs by Vicksburg-based artist Melody Golding, documenting the resilience of Mississippians after the storm. – Natchez – Friday, Saturday & Sunday The tours offer an intimate look inside the city's grandest homes. – Natchez – Friday, Saturday & Sunday The play is about a young couple who must learn how to accept and embrace their differences as they learn that marriage is no easy walk in the park. – Jackson – Saturday MDAH Historic Specialist William Thompson will cover death certificates, obituaries, cemetery indexes, mortality schedules, funeral home records, grave registrations and some online resources. – Jackson – Saturday From persimmons to peaches, from bok choy to butter beans, the Mississippi Farmers Market is the one place to go for the freshest fruits and vegetables that are grown in the state. – Madison – Saturday The Commemorative Air Force MS Wing's Annual M*A*S*H event will be held at the CAF hangar at Bruce Campbell Field. – Natchez – Saturday Natchez Brewing Company & Kitchen will host the annual St Patrick's Day Celebration. There will be live music, as well as Irish-inspired food and beer. – Natchez – Saturday Every week there will be live fresh produce, baked goods, fresh dairy, and arts and crafts all from local growers and artists. St. Patrick's at the Pub – Vicksburg – Saturday Enjoy a day of celebration, complete with hearty Irish Pork Stew and the coldest of pints. – Jackson – Saturday and Sunday Enjoy a festive lineup of green beer, Irish whiskey specials, delicious corned beef pizza and cornhole. – Jackson – Sunday Run the Rainbow will feature a 5K route beginning and ending at Hal & Mal's in downtown Jackson, and the 2025 event will also offer 10K, half marathon, and full marathon routes. – Natchez – Sunday Your ticket entitles you not only to a delicious meal, but also to choose a handmade pottery bowl to bring home with you. – Hattiesburg – Friday Actor, comedian, screenwriter and director Rob Schneider is bringing his Rob Schneider: Rescue Husband tour to Hattiesburg's historic Saenger Theater. Stickerpalooza! – Hattiesburg – Friday Collect and trade stickers at the Oak Grove Public Library. – Laurel – Friday Enjoy karaoke at 320 5th St. in Laurel. – Hattiesburg – Friday, Saturday & Sunday The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum has a new exhibit every month, so be sure to head downtown for a small surprise! – Laurel – Friday, Saturday & Sunday Experience the entirety of a romantic relationship with a twist. One character tells their side of the story from beginning to end, while the other tells their side from end to beginning. – Hattiesburg – Saturday There will be signature drink specials, a costume contest, activities at each stop and prizes! Hattiesdrag Talent Show – Hattiesburg – Saturday The Hattiesdrag Talent Show will welcome drag, dance, music and poetry. Screamin' Eagles Guitarfest Concert – Hattiesburg – Saturday The Screamin' Eagles Guitarfest will hold its final performance with a guest artist concert. Our performers will play individual sets throughout the show. – Laurel – Saturday This event is to highlight Mississippi artisans and craftsmen. Southern Miss Chamber Singers Concert – Hattiesburg – Sunday The concert will be led by talented graduate conductors and feature a range of pieces from the choral genre. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Quilts on display at the Two Mississippi Museums
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – As Black History Month wraps up, we got the chance to learn about two quilters who used needles and cloth to tell their stories. The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson have a large collection of quilts. Six are currently on display at the Museum of Mississippi History. Those get rotated every two years. 'We're trying to focus on two of our quilters right now. Both are on display in our Civil Rights Museum. So, we have quilts by Hystercine Rankin, and we have two in our collection storage, as well as Gwendolyn McGee,' said Kathryne Etre, a conservator at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). Rankin started quilting when she was younger. Her father was lynched, and afterwards, she moved in with her grandmother, who taught her how to quilt. Marquis de Lafayette's cane on display at Two Mississippi Museums 'When she got older, she had the freedom and the time to tell stories with her quilts, and both by using traditional methods as the quilt behind us right here using traditional forms. But with the colors and the different patterns that she used to tell stories, this one in particular, she's using Kente cloth, which is native from Ghana, and then using what she called memory quilts,' said Etre. The two that are in the MDAH collection tell the story about the lynching of Rankin's father and what happened after that. The one on display within the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is about going to her father's funeral and being intimidated by the people who lynched her father. McGee's quilting style is different. 'She did not do the more traditional quilts, as Ms. Rankin did, but it was almost like a collage. And she didn't start quilting until her children were going on the way to college, and she wanted something to remind them of home away from home and started quilting later in her life. And then, she used it to tell stories all about the African American way of life,' said Etre. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
