Mississippi Department of Archives and History facts for kids
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William F. Winter Archives and History Building
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| Formation | February 26, 1902 |
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| Type | State Agency |
| Purpose | Archive |
| Location |
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Region served
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Mississippi |
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Director
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Katherine Blount |
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Budget
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$10 million (2015) |
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Staff
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122 (2015) |
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is a special state agency. It was started in 1902. Its main job is to be the official place where Mississippi's important historical records are kept. Think of it as a giant memory bank for the state!
Contents
Where is the MDAH Located?
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is found at 200 North Street in Jackson, Mississippi. It's right next to the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. The main building, called the William F. Winter Archives and History Building, opened on November 7, 2003.
A Look at MDAH's History
The MDAH grew from the Mississippi Historical Society. This group wanted to protect and share Mississippi's history. They were especially interested in records from the American Civil War.
On February 26, 1902, Mississippi Governor Andrew H. Longino signed a law to create the department. This made the MDAH the second oldest state archives department in the whole United States!
In 1902, a lawyer and historian named Dunbar Rowland became the first Director. He led the department until he passed away in 1937.
The MDAH also helped with a big project: redesigning the Mississippi state flag. They provided support for the group that worked on the new design. On January 11, 2021, Governor Tate Reeves signed a law making the new flag official. This new flag includes the words "In God We Trust".
What is MDAH's Goal?
The main goal of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History is:
By preserving Mississippi’s diverse historic resources, and sharing them with people around the world, MDAH inspires discovery of stories that connect our lives and shape our future.
This means they save important historical items and share them. They want people to learn about the past. This helps us understand how our lives are connected to history. It also helps us shape a better future.
How MDAH is Organized
The MDAH is led by a Director and a group of nine people called a board of trustees. These trustees help make important decisions. The department has five main parts, called divisions:
- Administration (this part handles the daily running of the department)
- Archives and Records Services (they take care of all the historical documents)
- Historic Preservation (they protect old buildings and places)
- Museums (they manage several museums)
- Programs and Communication (they create educational programs and share information)
The main offices and storage areas for historical items are in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building. This large building, finished in 2003, is about 146,000 square feet.
The Historic Preservation Division has its own building. It's called the Charlotte Capers Archives and History Building. This division helps put up Historical Markers around Mississippi. They also manage Mississippi Landmarks and places listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Museum Division looks after many interesting places, including:
- Eudora Welty House (the home of a famous writer)
- Manship House Museum (an old historic house)
- Old Capitol Museum (the state's former capitol building)
- Grand Village of the Natchez Indians (an ancient Native American site)
- Historic Jefferson College (an old school)
- Windsor Ruins (the remains of a grand mansion)
- Winterville Mounds (another ancient Native American site)
- Museum of Mississippi History (a museum about the state's past)
- Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (a museum about the fight for civil rights)
The Programs and Communication Division started in 2017. They are in charge of educational programs, sharing public information, creating publications, marketing, and teaching people about Mississippi's history.
See also
- Charlotte Capers
- Mississippi State Flag
- List of historical societies in Mississippi
