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The Heritage Awards recognize the efforts of individuals, local organizations and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation. These efforts include citizen attempts to save and maintain important landmarks, as well as architects, craftsmen, and developers whose exemplary work restores the richness of the past. We applaud the vision of elected and appointed officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators, journalists and writers who help Americans understand the value of preservation. All demonstrate commitment, leadership and achievement worthy of statewide recognition. The Mississippi Heritage Trust is pleased to announce the new list of the Heritage Award winners for 2004. This year 14 awards were given out to outstanding preservation projects from across Mississippi. The projects demonstrated excellence in the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and interpretation of our architectural and cultural heritage. To learn more about past Heritage Award winners click on one of the following years: 2002, 2000 and 1999.
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE: AWARDS OF MERIT:
MHT/MAAHPC AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESERVATION: MHT TRUSTEE'S AWARD FOR ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE:
Tatum Lumber Company
Award Category: Preservation Award: Rehabilitation/Restoration
The Molpus Woodlands Group received an Award of Excellence for the rehabilitation and restoration of the Old Tatum Lumber Company buildings for their Timberlands Management offices in Hattiesburg . The new site of the Timberlands Management Company was, in the early 20 th century, a thriving company town, complete not only with sawmills, planer mills and dry kilns, but also with a headquarters building, company store (commissary), church, school, doctor, and workers houses, all owned and operated by the Tatum Lumber Company. Notwithstanding the deterioration around them, the office and the commissary building were remarkably intact. Utilizing the federal historic income tax-credits, the owners were able to complete the restoration and rehabilitation of two of the buildings.
The rehabilitation of the original office building was complicated by the desire to preserve the pristine heart pine finishes throughout. To minimize the changes to the historic interior the air conditioning equipment was visually suppressed by lowering the grade behind the building. Modern conduit and wiring was routed beneath the building, in the attic, and behind the baseboard to maintain the paneled pine walls. The existing asbestos flooring was removed and the original pine floors were restored. Even the original light fixtures were retained.
The commissary building had been abandoned in the 1970s and surprisingly many of its original interior fittings were remarkably intact. The original accounting cage was preserved and adapted into a small conference area. Nearly the entire existing U-shaped counter was preserved and new filing cabinets were placed underneath the counter out of view. Even the original paint scheme was reproduced.
Woodworth Chapel at Tougaloo College
Award Category: Preservation Award: Rehabilitation/Restoration
Tougaloo College was chosen to receive an Award of Excellence for the restoration of the Woodworth Chapel back to its former glory. The Chapel, constructed in 1901, has played an important part in the history of Tougaloo College , as well as the state's Civil Rights history. Many influential people involved in the struggle for African American equality spoke at the chapel from its pulpit including: Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, over the years, soil movement, structural inadequacies and deferred maintenance led to the Chapel's extreme deterioration. In the 1930's masonry repairs were undertaken and iron tie rods were added to combat the movement of the walls, however the trusses continued to spread, pushing the balcony and west wall out eight inches. In the late 1970s, two steel towers were constructed to support the buckling gable end walls, due to the severity of the structural instability the building was closed in the mid 1980s. Around this time, the original tower belfry was destroyed in a storm.
In 1998, the college received a grant from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Fund to work on the structural stabilization and restoration of the chapel. To preserve the integrity of the chapel's interior spaces every effort was made to preserve or replicate the original materials, including the ornamental wood elements, even the wood pews and pulpit were restored to their original character. The Chapel's rehabilitation also included the reconstruction of its original pipe organ using pieces from another 1885 organ. The original pipe façade remains, and its stenciled design and carved woodwork restored. On the exterior the original windows were restored and the original tower cupola reconstructed from historic photos. The missing tower clock was replicated and now rings with the original bell.
AWARDS OF MERIT: Center Stage Project - West Point
Award Category: Preservation Award: Rehabilitation/Restoration Contractor: Burks Mordecai Builders, Inc.
The Center Stage project received an Award of Merit for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Old West Point School Auditorium for use as a community cultural center. The effort began in 1997 when a grass roots committee of educators, parents and local artists committed to restore the dilapidated auditorium of the 1927 high school. By early 2000, the committee had raised $560,000 of the expected cost of renovation. The West Point Community Foundation assisted in all fundraising and was helped by a Building Fund for the Arts grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission and a Community Heritage Preservation Grant from the Department of Archives and History. Before renovation, the auditorium was in poor condition. Although still usable, the auditorium was in disrepair and had been subdivided into a small stage area with 3 classrooms taking up most of the stage area. In the auditorium, the flooring had been covered with inappropriate materials, windows and doors were deteriorating and the seats were broken. The original lights had been replaced and plaster was crumbling.
The work to restore the auditorium addressed all of those problems and converted the auditorium into flexible use areas suitable for workshops, exhibitions and lectures, as well as meeting space suitable for civic, educational and corporate organizations. With 750-seat capacity, the auditorium is the only building in the community to foster community development. This renovation increases the capacity of the school district, arts council, and local performing artists to bring art to citizens who may not have resources to seek out art experiences otherwise. The high school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Mississippi Landmark.
Belle Clarke House - Clarksdale
Award Category: Preservation Award: Rehabilitation/Restoration
The Belle Clarke House located in Clarksdale was chosen to receive an Award of Merit for the restoration and rehabilitation of the house for use as a bed and breakfast. In this federal historic income tax-credit project, the owners concentrated or uncovering and preserving the original materials and finishes in the house. The existing vinyl siding was removed to uncover the original wood siding; the original wood windows were repaired along with the original exterior and interior doors, original flooring throughout the house was maintained and restored. The owners even installed new mechanical systems in the basement to disturb as little of the original materials in the house as possible. Care was also taken to restore the original millwork and fireplaces to their original charm. Walls also received restoration with the removal of paneling and repair of the original plaster where possible. The house was restored by Billy and Lillie Strohm and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Biloxi Saenger Theater
Award Category: Preservation Award: Rehabilitation/Restoration
The 1929 Saenger Theater received an Award of Merit for the restoration and rehabilitation of the theater returning it to its original grandeur. Restoration efforts began in the early 1990s, when it became evident that lack of adequate funding for repairs had led to the deterioration of the historic theater. The future of the theater was uncertain with inadequate restroom facilities, repeated failure of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, peeling paint and cracked plaster, deteriorating carpet, seating and draperies, antiquated light systems and numerous leaks in the roof.
The first step in the restoration effort was the creation of a master plan in 1995. The vertical neon sign was restored in 1997 receiving its own Award of Merit in 1998 . In 2000 the exterior stabilization was completed which included repairs to the roof, walls and front façade. The restoration of the lobby was completed in 2001. This phase included asbestos removal, restroom repair and plaster repair. The most recent phase included the restoration of the auditorium and included new carpet and seating, plaster repair and painting. The dropped ceiling was also removed and the original ceiling was restored. Original paint finishes, including Tiffany glazing, faux wood graining, stenciling and marbleization, were uncovered during the demolition phase and based on paint analysis were restored to their original splendor. The total cost of the restoration was over $2.5 million using federal, state, county, city and private funds. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Mississippi Landmark.
The Union Station in Jackson was chosen to receive an Award of Merit for the restoration and rehabilitation of the historic station for a new multi-modal transportation facility. The renovation of the 1927 Union Station in downtown Jack son was envisioned to serve as a catalyst for rejuvenating the West Capitol Street Historic District. The existing facility is composed of three basic structures. The facility's centerpiece is a two-story, brick and stone, Georgian Revival building called the "head-house". Accompanying this structure is a one-story, brick and stone shed. Both of these buildings sit beside the elevated rail tracks, and the building's interior continues under the tracks. These elevated tracks serve as the roof for roughly two-thirds of the Station. The building renovation included masonry repointing of the exterior and interior, wood window repair, replacing the tile roof, and complete upgrades to the interior systems. The cargo spaces were restored and maintained in their original state for new lobby facilities for the transportation facilities. War Memorial Building in Jackson Architect:
Robert Parker Adams Architect, P.A.
The War Memorial Building , located on the Old Capitol Green in Jack son , was chosen to receive an Award of Merit for the rehabilitation and restoration of building. This project involved the total rehabilitation and restoration of the building, which was constructed in 1939, by E. L. Malvaney, with funding from the Federal Works Agency, Public Works Administration. The work included cleaning the entire limestone exterior, as well as the limestone relief sculptures on the façade. These sculptures depict soldiers and citizens, and conveys the sacrifices made by Mississippians during World War I. Interior work on the building included the restoration of many Art Deco features, as well as the complete rehabilitation of the auditorium. Keepers of the Light Video
The video "Keepers of the Light-The Story of the Round Island Lighthouse" was chosen to receive an Award of Merit for Preservation Media for the creation of a video to raise awareness about the history of the Round Island Lighthouse. The video project was funded by a CLG grant and local matching funds from the Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society received through International Paper Company, and the City of Pascagoula Historic Preservation Society . The Round Island Lighthouse was designated as one of Mississippi 's 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in 1999 due to the deterioration of the lighthouse and the erosion of the beach it sat on. The lighthouse was deteriorating prior to being severely damaged by Hurricane Georges in 1998, and through the efforts of the City of Pascagoula , Office of Community Development, grants have been received through the Tidelands Funds, and Coastal Impact funds to help restore the beach, plant sea oats, and build a jetty. Applications have been made for grants to assist in the full restoration of the lighthouse. The video was made as one segment in the chronology of restoration of the lighthouse and is being made available to students in the Pascagoula School District . The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Mississippi Landmark. Old Oxford Depot
Contractor: Dillon Construction, Inc.
The Old Oxford Depot received an Award of Merit for the restoration and rehabilitation of the depot for use as a meeting center. In 1993 the University of Mississippi acquired the depot, built in 1866, and partnered with the City of Oxford and the Mississippi Department of Transportation to restore the building. The depot had suffered severe deterioration and the exterior masonry walls had to be repaired and the south end wall had to be dismantled and relayed. Using historic photographs the new south end brackets and loading dock were installed. Further work was done to restore the exterior to its original look with the removal of non-original paint from the masonry. The existing roof was replaced with a historically appropriate cedar shingle roof. Care was also taken to restore the original windows and freight doors, as well as original light fixtures. Existing features of the interior such as beaded board walls, doors and transoms were repaired. The existing ceiling joists were restored and a new wood ceiling installed. In order to maintain the feeling of the original depot interior the new partition walls in the freight area were kept to a minimum and do not touch the ceiling. The historic depot is designated a Mississippi Landmark. Old Keesler Bridge - Greenwood
Contractor: Malouf Construction Company
The Old Keesler Bridge received an Award of Merit for the restoration of the historic bridge. The bridge was originally constructed in 1924 at the entrance to the commercial district of downtown Greenwood as a swing bridge of the Howe Truss design. It is one of the few truss bridges left in the state. The bridge was named one of Mississippi's 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in 1999 due to the deterioration and the desire to replace it with a new bridge. Local officials worked with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to restore the bridge rater than tear it down. The bridge project received almost $1.4 million from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as well as a Mississippi Landmark Grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The bridge was rededicated on September 15, 2003. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Mississippi Landmark. The Old Keesler Bridge restoration is a wonderful example of the value of restoring a rare historic bridge rather than replacing it with a typical modern bridge.
The Jiggitts house in Canton was chosen to receive an Award of Merit for the restoration of the house after a severe fire damaged the kitchen, second floor and attic. The Colonial Revival House, built in 1911, is a two-and-a-half story frame clapboard dwelling with a one-story, wraparound porch highlighted by fluted Ionic columns. On December 9, 2001 the house suffered a major fire. The fire department was able to bring the blaze under control and saved almost all of the first-floor structure, however the kitchen, second floor and attic were severely damaged. The roof was totally destroyed leaving the second floor exposed causing water damage to most of the house. Following the fire, all of the molding, trim work, baseboards, etc. were numbered, removed, refinished and returned to their original place during the restoration process. After the roof was reconstructed and the second floor was restored using salvaged materials and new materials to match the historic detailing before the fire. The Jiggitts House was restored by Susie Morgan and is located in the East Canton Historic Residential District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Old Eupora Depot
Architect:
Belinda Stewart Architects
The Old Eupora Depot received an Award of Merit for the restoration and rehabilitation of the depot for use as a meeting center. In 1999 the City of Eupora acquired the depot building, which was built in 1889, and partnered with the Eupora Beautification Committee and the Mississippi Department of Transportation to restore the building. Due to stability issues a new foundation slab was poured at the east end of the building. The deteriorated exterior wood siding was repaired, existing roof brackets repaired, and a new metal shingle roof was installed. Based on historic photographs a new loading dock was built to replicate the original dock. The freight doors and windows were also restored. The interior received work as well to the decorative trim and cabinets, which were restored. The large freight room was cleaned and a new wood ceiling was installed. MHT/MAAHPC AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESERVATION
Mobile Street Revitalization Effort - Hattiesburg
The Mobile Street Revitalization Effort received the MHT/Mississippi African American Historic Preservation Council Award for Excellence in African American Preservation for the plans and revitalization efforts of the Mobile Street area in Hattiesburg by the city and neighborhood. In 2000, the City of Hattiesburg received an African American Heritage Preservation Grant from the Department of Archives and History for planning associated with the restoration of the Eureka School , which is owned by the Hattiesburg School District . That project has served as the catalyst for the efforts to revitalize the entire neighborhood and connecting it to the downtown area. The Carl Small Town Center at Mississippi State University has also been involved in the process, and created a model of the neighborhood. There have been several public meetings held in order to involve the entire city in this exciting project.
MHT TRUSTEE'S AWARD FOR ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation - Jackson
The Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation was chosen to receive the MHT Trustee's Award for Organizational Achievement for their efforts in the revitalization of two historic neighborhoods in Jack son . Since its inception in 1999, the Foundation has made great strides in the restoration and revitalization of Belhaven and Belhaven Heights . Through the creation of events like the Belhaven Market, preservation activities such as the rehabilitation of 954 East Fortification Street to serve as their headquarters, and a multitude of community endeavors, the Foundation works to improve the quality of life for the residents of the neighborhoods. Recently, the Foundation was designated as Urban Neighborhood Main Street Program by the Mississippi Main Street Association.
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