MDAH News

Roland Weeks, longtime publisher of Gulf Coast newspapers The Daily Herald and the Sun Herald and a former member of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees, died October 4, aged 89. Weeks served on the MDAH board for 13 years before retiring in January 2020.

“Roland was always encouraging to MDAH staff and a true friend to the agency,” said MDAH Director Katie Blount. “Roland brought an important Gulf Coast perspective to the board, providing sound counsel about the preservation of historic places in the region. His guidance, along with his Gulf Coast network, was invaluable in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when MDAH was administering the federal grant program as part of the state’s recovery.”

During Weeks’ tenure on the MDAH Board, the Old Capitol Museum was restored and the Two Mississippi Museums—Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum—were opened. He was at the helm of the Gulf Coast newspaper when Hurricane Camille struck in 1969. He retired as publisher, president and general manager of The Sun Herald in 2001. Weeks also was a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area and an avid genealogical researcher.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is accepting applications for four 2026 fellowships: the Eudora Welty Research Fellowship, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research Fellowship, the Religion in Mississippi History Research Fellowship, and the Robert “Bob” Moses Civil Rights Research Fellowship.

All four competitive awards offer a $5,000 stipend that may be used for research at MDAH for a minimum of two weeks during the summer of 2026.

Eudora Welty Research Fellowship

Offered in partnership with the Eudora Welty Foundation, the annual Eudora Welty Research Fellowship is awarded to one student enrolled in a graduate or doctoral program at an accredited college or university to conduct research using the Eudora Welty Collection and related materials at MDAH.

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 is divided over 45 series and includes manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, drawings, essays, family papers, and audio and visual material, spanning Welty’s entire life.

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research Fellowship

The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research Fellowship is offered in partnership with the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute and is awarded to one graduate student or faculty member within the first five years of their academic career to conduct research using the Medgar Wiley and Myrlie Beasley Evers Papers at MDAH.

The Medgar Wiley and Myrlie Beasley Evers Papers at MDAH include Evers and Beasley family papers dating from the early 1900s to around July 1964, when Myrlie Evers and her children moved to Claremont, California. The papers are divided into four subgroups: the papers of Medgar Evers as Mississippi field secretary of the NAACP; family papers of Medgar Evers; family papers of Myrlie Evers; and records relating to the 1964 and 1994 cases of the State of Mississippi v. Byron De La Beckwith.

Religion in Mississippi History Research Fellowship

The Religion in Mississippi History Research Fellowship seeks to encourage and support the use of the many archival collections concerning religious history in Mississippi held by MDAH. The fellowship is part of MDAH's Religion Initiative, made possible by funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.

This fellowship opportunity is awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate or doctoral program at an accredited college or university with an interest in conducting primary source research in the wealth of archival materials concerning religious history in Mississippi and related materials at MDAH.

Robert “Bob” Moses Civil Rights Research Fellowship

The inaugural Robert “Bob” Moses Civil Rights Research Fellowship incites and assists a student enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited college or university, or a faculty member within the first five years of their academic career, to conduct primary source research in MDAH’s abundance of archival materials concerning the Civil Rights Movement and the human rights struggle in Mississippi.

The recipient of each fellowship is expected to conduct research in residence at the archives for at least two weeks during the summer.

The deadline for all 2026 fellowship applications is March 6, 2025. Additional information, including the application portal for the individual fellowships, can be found at mdah.ms.gov/careers-volunteering/fellowship-opportunities.

For additional information and questions about the Eudora Welty Research Fellowship, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Research Fellowship, Religion in Mississippi History Research Fellowship, or Robert “Bob” Moses Civil Rights Research Fellowship email fellowships@mdah.ms.gov.

America250 Mississippi is excited to announce the October 2025 dates for the national America250 initiative, Our American Story — a national oral and visual storytelling project designed to gather and preserve the voices that shape our nation. 

Our American Story is a year-long, cross-country journey collecting thousands of recorded interviews. Each tour stop will feature local activation events, media opportunities, and community engagement activities. Mississippi is proud to be one of the first five stops on the tour. 

Mississippians are invited to take photos with the America250 Airstream, interact with America250 kiosks, and record their own engaging American story. The America250 Airstream trailer will make a special appearance at the annual Great American Mississippi State Fair on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Facilitated by trained interviewers, sessions will follow curated storytelling prompts centered around themes of identity, service, community, and personal legacy. Conversations will be recorded and archived, with a portion preserved at the Library of Congress — ensuring these voices become a permanent part of the American record. 

Select stories — especially those featuring veterans, educators, and intergenerational families — will be shared with the public through collaborations with documentary filmmakers, broadcast outlets, and digital platforms. 

Our American Story Walk-Up Kiosk stops will feature:

• A kiosk where citizens can record and share their unique American stories
• Community engagement events and local storytelling activations
• Media opportunities to highlight local voices and perspectives 

Cleveland - Thursday, Oct. 9
10AM - 4PM
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi 

Columbus - Friday, Oct. 10
10AM - 3PM
Tennessee Williams Home & Visitor Center

Jackson - Saturday, Oct. 11
2:30PM - 6PM
Two Mississippi Museums 

The initiative is supported by founding sponsor Walmart, which will host many of the tour stops at its retail locations, and by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, which provide the vehicles transporting the mobile studios.

To find out how to participate or view the full tour schedule, visit www.America250.org/OAS and follow @America250 on social media.

About America250
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America. 

About America250
Mississippi America250 Mississippi is the state’s commission charged with collaborating and coordinating partnerships for the historic semiquincentennial commemoration of the United States. Funding for commemorative programming and grants is made possible in part by the Mississippi Legislature and by A250 MS local public and private partnerships.

For more information on A250 MS opportunities, programs, and initiatives, please visit https://america250.ms. 

For media inquiries, please contact Katie Coats, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Mississippi, at 228-357-4086 or KCoats@Mississippi.org.

For more information, please contact Paige Robertson, Executive Projects Manager at Visit Mississippi, at 601-359-6624 or PRobertson@Mississippi.org.

The board of trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History will convene next month in Jackson, hosting a public reception at the Old Capitol Museum ahead of its regular board meeting. The public reception is set for Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. at the Old Capitol Museum, 100 State St. The board meeting, which is also public, will be Oct. 17, at 9 a.m., on the second floor of the Two Mississippi Museums, 222 North State St.

The nine-member board comprises community leaders from across Mississippi, including Reginald Buckley of Jackson, MDAH Board President Spence Flatgard of Ridgeland, MDAH Board Vice President Nancy Carpenter of Columbus, TJ Taylor of Madison, Cyrus Ben of Philadelphia, Carter Burns of Natchez, Betsey Hamilton of New Albany, Mark E. Keenum of Starkville, and Lucius M. Lampton of Magnolia.

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.

Mississippi is participating in the nationwide Great American State Fair initiative as part of the America250 commemoration

Multiple sponsors will provide free admission to the Two Mississippi Museums during the Mississippi State Fair, giving families and visitors an opportunity to explore the state’s history at no cost. Free admission will be offered on Friday, Oct. 3, sponsored by Hitachi Energy Crystal Springs; Friday, Oct. 10, sponsored by Nancy and Ray Neilsen; and Saturday, Oct. 11, sponsored by Jackson Mayor John Horhn.

The free admission coincides with the state fair’s participation in the nationwide Great American State Fair initiative as part of the America250 commemoration. 

“We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, whose support will allow fairgoers to explore the rich stories of Mississippi during this year’s state fair,” said Michael Morris, director of the Two Mississippi Museums.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson said the free admission “affords a great opportunity to the public.”

 “Our close proximity makes this a perfect combination of education and entertainment, where visitors can learn more about our history and the contributions of our state while enjoying Mississippi agriculture and all that the state fair has to offer. I encourage our fairgoers to attend the Two Mississippi Museums while they are in Jackson,” said Gipson.

“At Hitachi Energy, our commitment extends beyond the workplace and into the communities we serve. Sponsoring a free admission day at the Two Mississippi Museums deepens our outreach, connects us with neighboring communities, and provides opportunities for people to engage with Mississippi’s history and civil rights legacy,” said Chivona Roberts, Community Engagement specialist at Hitachi Energy Crystal Springs. “For many, this may be their first museum visit, and we are proud to make that possible during the Mississippi State Fair—one of the busiest and most celebrated times of the year.”

“Jackson's two world-class museums—the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum—draw visitors from across the state, region, and globe. These Smithsonian-quality institutions tell a complete story: not just Mississippi's past but its future and untapped potential. They're helping reshape how the world sees our state,” said Ray Neilsen. 

“Jackson is proud to welcome visitors to our capital city during this historic state fair and America’s 250th celebration. Free admission to the Two Mississippi Museums gives families and fairgoers the chance to experience Mississippi’s place in the American story while also enjoying all that Jackson has to offer,” Mayor Horhn said.

The Two Mississippi Museums take visitors through the sweep of Mississippi history and the state’s role as ground zero in the nation’s Civil Rights Movement. The museums are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The gun and its holster belonged to J.W. Milam, one of two White men who confessed to killing the Black youth 70 years ago – a crime that sparked the Civil Rights Movement

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has announced that the gun used in the 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till and the weapon’s holster have been acquired and are now on display at the Two Mississippi Museums – Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

The Foundation for Mississippi History acquired the artifacts for donation to MDAH, the state agency with a mission to preserve Mississippi stories, historic places and artifacts. Both artifacts were owned by J.W. Milam, who along with his half-brother Roy Bryant, confessed to Till’s murder in a “Look” magazine article published in January 1956, some four months after an all-white jury in Tallahatchie County acquitted the men in the case.

The artifacts were acquired from a Mississippi family that is not connected to the case.

“The gun is the central artifact in one of the most important stories in Mississippi history and American history,” Two Mississippi Museums Director Michael Morris said Thursday, Aug. 28, during a news conference at the museums. “The artifacts are displayed in an exhibit about Till’s murder in an interpretation that tells the whole story – from the teen’s entry into Bryant’s Grocery & Meat Market to his murder.”

Morris said MDAH informed Till’s family about the artifact acquisition. Wheeler Parker, a cousin who was in the home when Till was abducted by his murderers, thanked MDAH for acquiring and displaying the artifacts.

“I think it’s good because it brings closure. I hope you guys can find the ring and cotton gin. Thank you for doing this,” Parker said.

Joining Morris at the news conference were Katie Blount, director of MDAH; Jonathan Lee, board chairman of the Foundation for Mississippi History; Spence Flatgard, chairman of the

MDAH Board of Trustees; and members of both boards.

The artifacts will be on permanent display in a theater where a narrative film describes what happened to Till, a teenager from Chicago who had come to the South to visit relatives seven decades ago.

After purchasing bubble gum at the grocery store in Money, Mississippi, Carolyn Bryant, the wife of Roy Bryant, accused Till of whistling at her. Till was taken from his uncle’s home in the middle of the night on Aug. 28, 1955, and was not seen again until his body was found floating in the Tallahatchie River, tied to a gin fan, and disfigured from torture and lynching.

The FBI reopened the case in 2004 as part of the federal agency’s Cold Case Initiative, but after thorough review determined it lacked jurisdiction to bring charges. The serial number on the gun in the Two Mississippi Museums exhibit matches that of the gun investigated by the FBI.

“The gun and holster, along with other artifacts in the case, will be used to educate generations about this era in our nation’s history,” Morris said.

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The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is seeking a new executive director to lead the agency following the retirement of the current director. 

The director leads Mississippi’s state historical agency, overseeing a staff of approximately 160 people and a budget of roughly $13 million. The director serves as the public face of MDAH and represents the agency to a wide range of stakeholders. The director plays a central role in fundraising and resource development. The director must be able to clearly communicate the agency’s mission, articulate its priorities, and tell the story of its impact. 

The director leads engagement with the Legislature, donors, foundations, grantmaking organizations, and the public. The director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer and the State Archivist. In these roles, the director works closely with division leaders to ensure the agency’s statutory responsibilities are met and its strategic goals are advanced. Read more.

Mississippi Department of Archives and History Director Katie Blount—who led the agency through the establishment of the nationally recognized Two Mississippi Museums and supported efforts to adopt a new state flag—has announced her retirement after leading MDAH since 2015. Blount’s retirement will be effective June 30, 2026. 

Blount, who began her career at MDAH as a public relations coordinator in 1994, is the agency’s seventh director since 1902 and only the second woman to hold the position. (Charlotte Capers became the first woman to head MDAH and a state agency in 1955.) Blount has more than three decades of public service in Mississippi. 

Under her leadership, MDAH has strengthened relations with Tribal Partners through repatriation and begun work on several renovation or development projects at historic sites across the state, including the new Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center, Historic Jefferson College near Natchez, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, the stabilization at Windsor Ruins, and the upcoming Margaret Ann Crigler Park in downtown Jackson. 

Earlier this year, Blount was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for her commitment to inclusive storytelling, which has reshaped programming, interpretation, and staffing at the agency charged with preserving historical records, artifacts, and properties. Blount also developed the agency’s own long-term strategic plan that is implemented concurrently with the state-mandated plan. 

Blount said MDAH achievements during her tenure should be credited to the agency’s staff, who are committed to preserving Mississippi’s history and telling the stories of the state’s people and places. 

“Mississippi’s history is the central arc of American history—from the Native American experience to cotton and slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction, up to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond,” Blount said. “I’m extremely grateful I’ve had the opportunity to serve the people of this state and work alongside a staff whose passion to preserve history runs as deep as mine.” 

Spence Flatgard, president of the MDAH Board of Trustees, said the board will begin the search for Blount’s successor immediately. He described Blount’s leadership as “transformational.” 

“Her commitment to telling the full story of Mississippi’s compelling history has elevated the work of MDAH,” Flatgard said. “Katie is universally respected by her peers and state leaders. Her love for public service and for Mississippians has helped us tell our story to schoolchildren and to presidents. Our state has been blessed by her leadership, and she will always have our profound gratitude.” 

Businessman Kane Ditto, a former Jackson mayor who previously served as president of the MDAH Board of Trustees and is currently a member of the Foundation for Mississippi History Board of Directors, said Blount “has provided inspirational and strategic leadership for MDAH” in the 10 years since she became director. 

“When visiting with department staff, I am struck by their enthusiasm and sense of purpose. That attitude starts at the top,” Ditto said. “Building on the legacy of the department as a national leader in documenting and preserving our state history, Katie has led the department to new heights of achievement and recognition.” 

Blount said the key is to tell honest stories. 

“Embracing complex stories draws audiences and earns the trust of partners in a position to pour resources into Mississippi,” Blount said. “We have consistently shared Mississippi’s layers of rich narrative through our work.” 

Blount rose through the ranks at MDAH, working under previous directors, Elbert R. Hilliard and H. T. Holmes. She served as assistant to the director and deputy director for communication before she was promoted to director in 2015. 

During her tenure at MDAH, Blount shepherded the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums in 2017, during the state bicentennial. Since then, more than 744,000 people have visited from across the nation and other countries. 

In 2022, the William and Elise Winter Endowment was established by the Foundation for Mississippi History, the nonprofit that supports MDAH. The endowment ensures Mississippi students can attend the museums free of charge and covers the cost of transportation and lunch for the school field trips. 

“Ensuring that future generations have access to world-class museums that tell our state’s powerful history is a lasting legacy we can all be proud of,” Blount said.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson held a news conference on Aug. 8 to announce that the 166th Mississippi State Fair, to be held Oct. 2-13, will participate in the nationwide Great American State Fair initiative, part of the America250 commemoration. Gipson was joined by Gov. Tate Reeves and other state partners, including Mississippi Department of Archives and History historian Brother Rogers and Nancy Carpenter, who is development director of the America250 Mississippi Commission and a member of the MDAH Board of Trustees.

The announcement highlighted plans for patriotic events and activities during the Mississippi State Fair. Rogers announced that admission will be free at the Two Mississippi Museums the weekend of Oct. 10-12, thanks to generous financial support from City of Jackson Mayor John Horhn and Nancy and Ray Neilsen.

“One of the best ways to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is to learn our own history,” said Rogers. “Therefore, as part of the patriotic celebration at the Mississippi State Fair, we encourage fairgoers to visit the Two Mississippi Museums – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. The museums are located next door to the fairgrounds."

For more information about the Mississippi Great American State Fair and America250 events, watch the full announcement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abSYQ7k_gn4. 

The Nissan Foundation has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Foundation for Mississippi History to support student field trips for the 2025–2026 school year at the Two Mississippi Museums—the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

The funding will help offset costs related to admission, transportation, and on-site lunches, expanding access for thousands of students from Title I schools across the state. The support from the Nissan Foundation ensures more young Mississippians can engage with the state’s rich and complex history at no cost to their families or schools.

“We’re deeply grateful for the Nissan Foundation’s continued investment in our education initiatives,” said Katie Blount, director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “This gift allows students to explore history in a dynamic and meaningful way at a world-class museum complex.”

“The most meaningful change often starts at the local level with people listening, learning and lifting one another up,” said Ali Tonn, senior manager of philanthropy at Nissan North America and executive director of the Nissan Foundation. “Our 2025 grantees create spaces where cultural curiosity thrives, and community bonds are strengthened. It’s a privilege to support organizations that are not only educating and inspiring but also helping to bond and unite. 

Since its founding in 1992, the Nissan Foundation has contributed nearly $18 million to more than 150 nonprofit organizations across the country. Its mission is to break down societal barriers and foster inclusive communities through educational and cultural outreach in the eight U.S. areas where Nissan operates. For two decades, Nissan has assembled vehicles in Canton, Mississippi. The plant employs more than 5,000 people and currently produces the Nissan Altima and Frontier.

The Two Mississippi Museums opened on December 9, 2017, in celebration of Mississippi’s bicentennial. Located at 222 North Street in Jackson, the museums are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To learn more about field trip opportunities or to make a reservation, contact Candace Williams, group tours coordinator, at cwilliams@mdah.ms.gov.

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

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