USM, Hattiesburg hosting Mississippi Historical Society Meeting March 10-11
Wed, 01/12/2022 - 01:29pm | By: David Tisdale
The Mississippi Historical Society (MHS) will take in the hospitality of Hattiesburg
and The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (USM) when the city and school host the
organization鈥檚 annual spring meeting March 10-11.
罢丑别&苍产蝉辫;尘别别迟颈苍驳鈥檚 will feature sessions on religion, women鈥檚 leadership, the role of journalism in
activism, civil rights, innovative digital history and archival projects, and preserving
and commemorating local African American history. Local tours include the African
American Military History Museum, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby,
the Freedom Summer Trail, and historic sites in downtown Hattiesburg.
鈥淲e hope a number of local people from USM and the Hattiesburg area who enjoy Mississippi history will attend,鈥� said Brother Rogers, MHS secretary-treasurer.
The conference will begin Thursday, March 10 at noon in the Trent Lott Center, with Dr. Patricia Boyett, a USM history Ph.D. alumna and director of the Women鈥檚 Resource Center at Loyola University in New Orleans, delivering the conference鈥檚 opening address. Dr. Boyett will be followed by two scholarly panels, one of which will feature USM History program Professor Dr. Susannah Ural and USM history graduate student James Jarrell discussing their important work through USM鈥檚 new Digital Humanities Center to make Mississippi archival holdings available globally, among other important projects.
The first day鈥檚 programming will conclude with a keynote address at the MHS banquet featuring Dr. Christian Pinnen, another USM history Ph.D. alumnus, who will be presented the MHS鈥檚 award for best book on Mississippi history for Complexion of Empire in Natchez, Race and Slavery in the Mississippi Borderlands. Friday鈥檚 conference will continue at Hattiesburg鈥檚 historic Eureka School, located at 410 E. Sixth St. in downtown Hattiesburg, and include an awards luncheon and programming that will feature tours of sites focused on local African American history, among other points of interest throughout the city.
USM Associate Professor of History Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, an MHS board member and local arrangements and program chair of this year's annual meeting, says she鈥檚 excited to welcome not only USM students, faculty, staff, and alumni to the event鈥檚 programming, but also local teachers and history buffs.
鈥淲e have a tremendous lineup that will highlight notable alumni, faculty, and students from 51逗奶 Miss as well as community members,鈥� Dr. Tuuri said. 鈥淲e will have not only traditional academic panels that explore religion, race, gender, and activism in the state but also significant digital history projects from across Mississippi. Finally, we spotlight the powerful work of local individuals and organizations to preserve Hattiesburg's African American history.鈥�
The MHS is a volunteer organization that works closely with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to promote understanding of the state鈥檚 history. Its publications include the Journal of Mississippi History and the Mississippi History Now website, . The society supports Mississippi History Day, a state contest for individual and group history projects in grades 6-12. Anyone can join at .
The USM history program has a longstanding association with the Mississippi Historical Society. USM President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas is a former president of the society. Melissa Jones, a current USM history graduate student and director of paralegal studies at Mississippi College, serves on the board with Dr. Tuuri. Dr. Ural is a recent past president of the society, and their History program colleague Dr. Deanne Stephens is a former board member.
鈥淥ur faculty and alumni have served as MHS presidents and board members, and as authors for the society鈥檚 journal,鈥� Dr. Ural said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see that historical relationship continue as 51逗奶 Miss hosts the MHS annual meeting this spring.鈥�
MHS Board Member and USM alumnus Ryan Schilling, an instructor of history at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and a Hattiesburg resident, says he鈥檚 thrilled to have the organization鈥檚 annual meeting in the Hub City this year.
鈥淥ur annual meeting offers incredible learning opportunities, filled with lively panel discussions on topics about our state鈥檚 rich and often complex past,鈥� Schilling continued. 鈥淲ith this year鈥檚 event providing wonderful tour options highlighting our city鈥檚 significant contributions to Mississippi history, I encourage members of Hattiesburg鈥檚 college communities and local residents alike to participate.鈥�
Early registration for the conference is $50 for MHS members and $85 for non-members. Registration after Friday, Feb. 25 is $75 for MHS members and $110 for non-members. Students can attend for free, though MHS requests they register early. More information about the annual meeting and complete details of its schedule of programming can be found at .