Preservationists Dig In
When we talk about why we want to save a historic building, the conversation inevitably turns to stories. These meandering tales filled with family history are tied to places, such as the church you attended as a child and your grandparents’ house where you went for fried chicken after the sermon. Often, larger themes such as growing towns, changing economic opportunities and world events frame these personal remembrances. Growing up on stories of place has led many a Mississippian to commit to the cause of historic preservation. Some of these dedicated community leaders serve as volunteers on preservation commissions and civic organizations, while others choose to dedicate their life’s work to architecture, planning and public service.
During this year’s Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference, we celebrate the people who dig in to document, discover and defend the places that helped shape their lives and define communities like Vicksburg. Highlights of the conference include a welcome party at the lovely Duff-Green Mansion Bed and Breakfast hosted by the Heritage Guild of Vicksburg and Warren County, keynote address by the Mississippian voted first to dig in, Thomas Gregory, the presentation of the 2024 Heritage Awards and a tour of downtown Vicksburg led by Vicksburg Main Street highlighting some of this happening town's recent preservation victories.