A Bright New Future for Oldfields

.The Future is Bright for Oldfields

A new roof, fresh paint and some beautiful shutters have made a world of difference at the c. 1848 Lewis House in Gautier, also known as Oldfields, which had been left languishing after being severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Since a history-loving donor gave Mississippi Heritage Trust the funds to purchase Oldfields in 2020 to prevent its demolition, great strides have been made to address the stabilization of the house artist Walter Anderson once called home.

Constructed c. 1845 as a residence for planter, merchant, politician and Civil War officer Alfred E. Lewis, the front gallery of this Greek Revival-style house faces the Mississippi Sound. Named for the orchards and agricultural fields that once surrounded it, Oldfields was later acquired by the Grinstead family. Agnes (Sissie) Grinstead married renowned artist Walter Anderson, and the couple and their children lived at Oldfields for several years. It was during this time that Walter Anderson did some of his most significant work, drawing inspiration from the native flora and fauna of Gautier and nearby Horn Island.

After the 2020 purchase of the house, preservationists applauded the opportunity to save this important part of Mississippi’s history. “The Anderson story could not be written without the Oldfields property. It was during the family’s time living in this historic home in the 1940s that Walter Anderson began producing the large-scale block prints that made him famous. And it was from the Oldfields shoreline that he launched his skiff for the barrier island wilderness. The Museum is excited to be a part of preserving this important piece of Mississippi architectural and art history", said Julian Rankin, Executive Director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art.

Former MHT board member and Lewis family descendant Martha Duvall has long been a champion for saving Oldfields. “I am thrilled that the Mississippi Heritage Trust has purchased the Lewis House, the organization is the perfect steward for this historic gem. I am committed to helping with the restoration in any way I can”.

Retired Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Ken P’Pool, who worked for years following Hurricane Katrina on coast recovery efforts with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s coast field office, lauded the news. “MDAH attempted to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation of Oldfields after the storm,” P’Pool explained, “but because of a protracted legal dispute between the owners of the property at the time, the grant could not be awarded. Oldfields is much too important to the history of Mississippi to loose”

Funded by grants from the Hearin Chandler Foundation and Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, the talented craftsmen at J.O. Collins Contractors and Mandal’s Roofing, along with the support of Albert & Robertson Architects, have completed the recent stabilization work at Oldfields to secure the house until a full restoration can be undertaken. Another bright light is the new historic marker that shares the story of this special place with passersby.

For more information about efforts to save and renew Oldfields, email MHT at preservation@mississippiheritage.com.