Port Gibson Heritage Trust
Port Gibson Heritage Trust
PO Box 751
Port Gibson, MS 39150-0751
The Trust
About the Port Gibson Heritage Trust
Coming soon
It has been my pleasure and an honor to have served as your President this past year. The time has gone by very quickly, but there have been numerous events of importance to the Trust during this time. I would first like to thank the other officers and Board Members of the trust, who have so generously donated their time this past year. They are Libby Hollingsworth, our VP, Emma Chrisler, our Treasurer and Jerry Bangham, our secretary. Also, thank you to our 2008 Board members, Edna Montgomery, Judy Moore, Robert St. John, Bob Butler, and Al Hollingsworth.
One of the things that has come about this past year that I am most excited about is the launching of the PGHT website, officially putting us into the computer age! Also, “Falling Columns”, the official newsletter of the Trust was initiated. I feel it is extremely important to keep our members abreast of what is happening in their trust.
Other events of the Trust this year have been our annual preservation awards to honor citizens who have helped make Port Gibson a more beautiful, historic city. We also co-sponsored a wonderful art auction with Keith Alford of Art 621, who graciously agreed to share her annual activity with us. Many beautiful, original works of art were auctioned, with a percentage of the sales going to the Trust. Hopefully, this can become a yearly event that will get bigger and better.
And, of course, we have been very actively involved with the Highway 61 issue. I want to thank the members of the Highway 61 committee for their efforts to prevent MDOT from their commitment to keep 61 on Church Street, thereby endangering the character and survival of our National Historic District. I would especially like to thank Miss Jane Ellis for her tireless commitment in writing letters, giving interviews to newspapers and others, making phone calls and conferring with our attorney to try to resolve this matter. Some people have actually asked her “Why aren’t you doing something about Church Street?” To answer them, I ask them to realize how many uncompensated hours of time and effort have gone into this project. This issue has become a huge part of Jane’s life, and we all owe her and the committee a huge debt of gratitude for her service.
Two town hall meetings were held last year involving Hwy 61. The first involved MDOT presenting their plans to keep 61 on Church Street. Comm. Dick Hall was present at this meeting, and voiced his continued support for our cause. The second meeting featured MDOT director Butch Brown himself, and his attempt to give his feelings on the matter. At both meetings, citizens were able to express their opinions.
Also, other events related to the Hwy 61 issue occurred. A Memorial Day concert was enjoyed by all at Jane Ellis’ house featuring our local “superstar” Mel McFatter, who sang his “Second Battle of Port Gibson” to the delight of everyone. He has graciously donated proceeds of the sale of his CD to the Trust. Numerous “Save Church Street” signs were printed up and placed in yards along Church Street to greet Mr. Brown upon his arrival in Port Gibson.
Also, a petition was added to the internet through our attorney’s office, which stated our cause, and allowed many thousands of people from the US and all over the world to become familiar with us, and to write in their own comments of support for our efforts. An independent film crew visited Port Gibson, and their resulting short film was posted to YouTube, again allowing our story to be viewed by thousands of people. And, our list of supporters grew, as MDAH and the MS Battlefield Commission went on record opposing the Church Street route. In addition, our own County Board of Supervisors and Historic Preservation Commission publicly voiced their support. Our new mayor has strongly come out in support of an easterly by-pass. Unfortunately, we have not yet received support from all of our city aldermen.
Let’s all hope that 2009 will bring a resolution to this very long-standing dispute that will be to the benefit of our historic integrity as well as our future as a tourist destination, adding to our economic development, which we can all agree is desperately needed in Port Gibson given our grave economic condition.
But in closing, I want you to realize this: The Trust is not just about Highway 61. We obviously have spend a lot of time and effort concentrating on this issue, but the Trust was founded to help protect and preserve our wealth of historic sites in Claiborne and Jefferson County. There are many worthwhile projects waiting to be started, but it takes commitment and money. I thank you for all your past support, but ask you to become even more involved. Spread the word to all your friends and others in the community about the Trust, and what we represent. There is great cultural diversity in our community, and we need all their voices in helping to record and preserve our unique histories and stories. Too often, in many organizations, a small group of volunteers are always the ones who step up to the plate . It’s time for many more of us to get involved and to put our imprint on Port Gibson’s future. This is our town, and we should take pride in it, and try to make it the very best place it can be. - Terry Merritt
Jerry Bangham. Emma Crisler and Libby Hollingsworth were appointed as the nominating committe for 2009. All officer postitions (President, Vice-president, Secretary, and Tresurer) will be open. Any one wishing to submit a name for one of these position or who wishes to fill one of these positions, please contact a member of the committee.
The board then voted to amend the by-laws and remove the provision that only persons who had served one year on the Board of Directors were eligible to be officers. This means that any paid-up member of the Trust may serve as an officer.
The board unanimously agreed to reimburse the costs of maintaining the website and preparing and printing the newsletter to those individuals who had out-of-pocket expenses in these areas.
The board also approved a Trust Christmas party to be held Sunday afternoon, December 7th from 3-5 at Collina. It will include the Genealogical Society and the DAR.
The board was informed that the Mississippi Battlefield Commission has come on the record opposing the Church Street route for Highway 61.
Recent Events
Annual Membership Meeting Held
The Port Gibson Heritage Trust held its annual General Membership meeting at 6:30 PM at the Port Gibson City Hall(Irwin Russell Memorial). The agenda included readings of the minutes from the last General Membership meeting, reports from the Treasurer and the Highway 61 Committee, and the election of the 2009 Trust officers. The first item however was an address by the outgoing President, Terry Merritt (see column to left).
The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Natchez based Architectural Historian Mimi Miller, from the Historic Natchez Foundation, who spoke on the many advantages non-profit preservation organizations, such as this Trust, have to influence the preservation debate and promote preservation without necessarily stymieing commercial development. Her remarks were well received by the membership and many had questions that Ms Miller did her best to answer.
New officers elected for the year 2009 include Robert St. John, President; Robert Butler, Vice-president; Terry Merritt, Secretary; and Shirley Daigle, Treasurer. These officers, along with the Board of Directors, will be responsible for charting the course the Trust will follow over the next 12 months.
After the meeting, members were able to linger and socialize over a delightful buffet.
The Members gather for the meeting
Mimi Miller addresses the meeting as outgoing President Terry Merritt listens
2009 Trust Officers (from left) Robert Butler, Vice-President; Terry Merritt, Secretary; Robert St. John, President (not shown, Shirley Daigle, Treasurer
Refreshments were the order of the day after the meeting
Christmas Party
The annual PGHT Christmas Party was held on December 7, 2008, at Collina, the home of Trust president Terry Merritt and her husband Doug. A joint effort of the Trust, the Genealogical Society, and the local chapter of the DAR, the party was enjoyed by all who attended, with great food and wonderful company. Of course the setting could not have been more perfect in the beautifully restored Collina, one of Port Gibson's premier antebellum homes.
Every one enjoys the buffet
The main tree in the center hallway surrounded by hand-made dolls.
The mayor of Port Gibson, Fred Reeves, enjoys the festivities with other members of the Trust.
Port Gibson Heritage Trust
PO Box 751
Port Gibson, MS 39150-0751
