"… The historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life …"

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966

The Department of Archives and History is committed to the preservation of the state's cultural resources. The Historic Preservation Division works closely with individuals, local governments, and federal agencies to protect Mississippi's historic structures, archaeological sites, and other places associated with important movements, events, and people.

The Historic Preservation Division provides technical assistance and grants for preservation projects, maintains extensive lists of the state's archaeological sites and historic places, and oversees the State Historical Marker, Abandoned Cemeteries Program, Mississippi Landmark, and National Register of Historic Places programs. The division serves as the State Historic Preservation Office, managing Mississippi's participation in the national historic preservation program. Mississippi's historic preservation program is funded by an annual grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior matched with state funds.

Long housed in the former Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad Depot in Jackson, the Historic Preservation Division moved into the Charlotte Capers Building in 2006. The former home of the state archives, the Capers Building offered more office and storage space, a laboratory for use with the archaeological collection, and a large search room for professionals using National Register files, archaeological reports, and U.S. Geological Survey quad maps. The search room is open by appointment only Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Call 601-576-6940 or email archaeology@mdah.state.ms.us.

The Historic Preservation Division administers the following programs:

Historic Preservation Boot Camp

Cemetery Conservation Workshops
One-day workshops provide a general overview of materials and methods for cleaning and conserving historic cemetery monuments.

Grants
Preserving historic sites and structures and helping repair Hurricane Katrina damage

Tax Incentives
Certifying properties for state and federal tax credits

Technical Preservation Assistance
Advising the public and private sectors on preservation projects

Local Government Assistance
Working with citizens to protect their local historic resources

Cultural Resources Survey and Inventory
Maintaining official lists of the state's historic properties and sites

State Historical Markers
Identifying and interpreting the historical sites in Mississippi

National Register of Historic Places
The nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation

Federal and State Project Review
Ensuring the state's historic properties do not suffer unintended harm

Abandoned Cemeteries
Working with communities to certify a cemetary as meeting the criteria for being "historic"

Civil War Sites Program
Assisting preservation groups in developing the state's Civil War resources

MDAH Historic Preservation Division
P.O. Box 571
Jackson, MS 39205-0571
601-576-6940
Fax 601-576-6955
jwood@mdah.state.ms.us