Pride
of the Fleet at Old CapitolThe
stories of the four U.S. Navy ships that carried the name USS Mississippi
are told in a new exhibit to open June 1 at the Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi
History: Pride of the Fleet: The USS Mississippi.
The
first USS Mississippi was commissioned in 1841, the last decommissioned
in 1997. Pride of the Fleet will showcase naval uniforms, flags, ship memorabilia,
photos, and detailed models of the four Mississippis, as well as rare film
footage of the ships. 
"We
are proud to have developed this exhibit for the Old Capitol Museum," said director
Lucy Allen. "During their service the Mississippis fought in conflicts
across the globe and helped in the development of naval technologies." Present
from the beginnings of the steam navy to the firing of guided missiles in the
Gulf War, these four ships and their sailors have achieved a lasting place in
naval history and earned the title "Pride of the Fleet." Pride of the Fleet
will be the first original exhibit by the Old Capitol Museum to feature artifacts
acquired through the museum's affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution. A
dispatch box, medal, and wallet originally belonging to Commodore Matthew Perry
are on loan from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American history. As a Smithsonian
Affiliate, the Old Capitol enjoys greater access to Smithsonian collections and
resources. After
the exhibit closes November 9, 2003, some components of Pride of the Fleet will
be relocated to the Senate Chamber for permanent display. Admission is free. For
more information, call the museum at 601/ 359-6920.
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Hilliard
Announces Retirement Date Elbert
R. Hilliard, MDAH director since 1973, announced April 25 his plans to retire
on January 1, 2004. The announcement was made to MDAH Board of Trustees and staff,
according to William F. Winter, board president. "Elbert Hilliard leaves a legacy
of service as director of the Department of Archives and History that is almost
unprecedented in state government," Winter said, "not only for the length of that
service but for the professional leadership that made him such a universally respected
figure. It is going to be extremely difficult to find anyone to succeed him who
combines his extensive knowledge of Mississippi history with the tireless dedication
that he brought to his work. It has been a great privilege for me to have been
associated with him during the period in which he served as director." A
native of Nitta Yuma in Sharkey County, Hilliard received his bachelor's degree
from Delta State College and his master's degree in history from Mississippi State
University. After teaching history for six years, he joined the staff of the Department
of Archives and History on July 1, 1965. He became director of the Division of
Historic Sites and Archaeology in 1970 and Department director in July of 1973.
He has served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Mississippi History and
as the secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Historical Society since 1973. He
is the longest-serving active state historic preservation officer in the nation. |
Juneteenth
Celebration A
Juneteenth celebration will be held at the Central Mississippi College auditorium
in Kosciusko on Thursday, June 26, at 5 p.m. The special guest performer will
be jazz artist Dr. Ron Myers. For more information, call Doris Davis, 662/ 289-3725.
ObituariesTeddy
Edwards, 1925-2003 Teddy
Edwards, a tenor saxophonist who helped create bebop music on the West Coast,
has died at the age of 78. The Jackson native moved to Detroit as a teenager and
began playing alto sax. During World War II, he settled in Los Angeles and switched
to tenor sax. He is widely credited with creating the first bop solo for tenor
sax on the recording Up in Dodo's Room. His Blues for Teddy's Flat,
recorded for Dial Records, is a jazz standard. Teddy Edwards performed with bassist
Milt Hinton in 1990 as part of programs organized by MDAH in conjunction with
the Old Capitol exhibit All Shook Up: Mississippi Roots of American Popular
Music.
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to pubinfo@mdah.state.ms.us.
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Centennial
Gala