Support for Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Project

Statement by Dr. Stuart Rockoff, executive director of Mississippi Humanities Council

#NatchezUSCT

We are grateful to Dr. Stuart Rockoff for this wonderful testimonial. Stuart is the executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council. We are encouraged by his support and his appreciation of Mississippi history. His perceptive comment about the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops is something we welcome as we move forward in our efforts to build a monument to honor these brave men.

“The USCT Monument Project will help tell a fuller picture of our state’s history. The story of these men, who gained their freedom and then fought to free others, should inspire all Mississippians. For too long, our state’s monument landscape has not truthfully reflected the richness of our past. Vital stories have not received the attention they deserved. This important project will make Natchez a statewide leader in the effort to retell Mississippi’s story in an accurate and inclusive way.”
 
Dr. Stuart Rockoff

Executive Director

Mississippi Humanities Council

See more at https://natchezusctmonument.com

 #NatchezColoredTroops #CivilWar #VisitNatchez #BlackHistory

The Natchez Democrat: NAPAC Acquires Portrait of Late Opera Singer

Published 5:38 pm Wednesday, December 29, 2021

By Staff Reports

Former Natchez Mayor Philip West, left, joins Mary White, co-founder of Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture, and Jimmy Ware, president of Natchez Business and Civic League, in presenting a portrait of Daisy Newman to the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. Newman was a famous opera singer who passed in February 2021 at the age of 74. Her portrait will be the centerpiece of the museum’s upcoming “Black Butterfly” exhibit, according to Museum Executive Director Bobby Dennis.

NATCHEZ — A portrait of the late opera singer Daisy C. Newman is on display at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. The image will be part of the upcoming “Black Butterfly” exhibit, which is set to open in February 2022.

 
“This artifact is a significant contribution to our collection,” said Bobby Dennis, executive director of the museum. “I knew Ms. Newman. She was a native of Natchez. Her talent and accolades went far beyond Mississippi. Her acclaim was international.”
 
In addition to having worked with Leonard Bernstein and Robert Shaw, among other greats, Newman sang on five continents. Dennis said her life story holds a special place in Natchez’s history.
 
Newman was born on Jan. 5, 1947, in Natchez. She was the daughter of David Newman Sr. and Hattie Bivens. The young singer graduated from Sadie V. Thompson High School in 1965 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Cleveland State University. She also studied at Oberlin Music Conservatory and Oglebay Opera Institute.
 
Newman performed as a soprano soloist. One of her most popular performances was as Cio-Cio San in Madame Butterfly. She also worked as a teacher of music.
Newman died on Feb. 10, 2021, at the age of 74.
 
“The story of Ms. Newman’s life not only gives us a glimpse of her, but a look at the character of the citizens of Natchez,” Dennis said. “Education, hard work, and perseverance help us defeat all odds and achieve those things that make a difference in our community and country.”
 
The museum’s acquirement of Newman’s portrait was made possible by her sister, Dorothy Hills, according to Dennis. “Mrs. Hills wanted us to have it,” he said, adding it was on display at Newman’s memorial service, which was held on Aug. 15, 2021, at the Natchez Convention Center.
 
On Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, the portrait arrived at the museum. It was presented by Philip West, former mayor of Natchez; Mary White, co-founder of Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture; and Jimmy Ware, president of Natchez Business and Civic League.
 
“The museum is very grateful to Mrs. Dorothy Hills for entrusting us to let the world see this story through the eyes of those who have known her sister, Daisy Newman,” Dennis said.
 
Visitors from the American Duchess happened to be present during the presentation. “They became very excited as they felt elated to be addressed by Mr. West, the first black mayor of Natchez since reconstruction,” Dennis said. “It truly was a visit with history.”
 
Newman has been described as “an exceptional woman who was dedicated to uplifting the lives of those she encountered,” according to her obituary published by Berkeleyside, April 2021.

#VisitNatchez #DaisyNewman #BlackButterfly

News of Natchez USCT Monument Website Featured in The Woodville Republican

#NatchezUSCT

The Woodville Republican (Dec. 23, 2021)

We were delighted to see this news on the front page of The Woodville Republican (Woodville, Miss.). It appeared in the Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, issue. If you haven’t already, please check out the site by visiting NatchezUSCTMonument.com

#NatchezUSCT #NatchezColoredTroops #VisitNatchez #CivilWar #BlackHistory

 

Concordia Sentinel: Wreaths Across America: Presentation a First for Civil War Servicemen

#NatchezUSCT

I was truly happy to see this story in Concordia Sentinel (Vidalia, La.). It was published on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.

#NatchezUSCT #NatchezColoredTroops #VisitNatchez #CivilWar #BlackHistory

For more information on Wreaths Across America, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org 

Information on Home With Heroes is available at https://homewithheroes.org

For information on the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Project, visit https://natchezusctmonument.com
 

Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Honored in Wreaths Across America Ceremony

 #NatchezUSCT

G. Mark LaFrancis, president of the Home with Heroes Foundation, and Robert Pernell, chairman of the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee, honored the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in observance of the 2021 Wreaths Across America Campaign. The official day for the event was Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

They were joined by several volunteers, including Sarah Sookraj and Roscoe Barnes III, both of Visit Natchez.

LaFrancis and the volunteers laid wreaths on the service member’s graves, which are located at the Natchez National Cemetery, 41 Cemetery Road, in Natchez, Miss. LaFrancis and Pernell gave special recognition to Civil War Navy Landsman Wilson Brown (1841-1900), a Medal of Honor recipient.

#VisitNatchez #NatchezUSCT #NatchezColoredTroops #WreathsAcrossAmerica

#HomeWithHeroes #CivilWar #BlackHistory

For more information on Wreaths Across America, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. 

Information on Home With Heroes is available at https://homewithheroes.org

For information on the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Project, visit https://natchezusctmonument.com

The Natchez Democrat (print version): WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Natchez U.S. Colored Troops honored in ceremony

#NatchezUSCT

Here’s the print version of the story about Natchez USCT and Wreaths Across America. It’s in today’s (Dec. 22, 2021) Natchez Democrat. I absolutely love it!

#NatchezUSCT #NatchezColoredTroops #VisitNatchez #CivilWar #BlackHistory

See the online version here: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2021/12/20/natchez-u-s-colored-troops-honored-in-wreaths-across-america-ceremony

Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Honored in Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Presentation was a first for the Civil War servicemen

By Roscoe Barnes III

#NatchezUSCT

Volunteers honor the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops and the U.S. Unknown Soldiers during the Wreaths Across America campaign. From left are G. Mark LaFrancis, Roscoe Barnes III, and Robert Pernell. LaFrancis is the president of Home With Heroes Foundation and the coordinator of the ceremony; Barnes is the cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez; Pernell is the chairman of the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee. The ceremony was held at the Natchez National Cemetery.

 

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- Natchez U.S. Colored Troops were among the 2.4 million servicemen across the United States that were honored recently by volunteers with Wreaths Across America. Volunteers laid wreaths on their graves and on the graves of the Unknown U.S. Soldiers.

The effort was coordinated locally by the Home With Heroes Foundation. According to G. Mark LaFrancis, the Foundation’s president, the recognition was a first for the African American men who served with six regiments at Fort McPherson in Natchez, during the Civil War.

“For the first time we decided to honor the Unknown U.S. Soldiers and U.S. Colored Troops,” LaFrancis said. “We figured it was very important that the public know that these folks also served our country honorably and bravely, and until now, no one specifically had designated wreaths for them. But we’ve done it. It’s our first time, and we will continue to do it.”

LaFrancis, and Robert Pernell, chairman of the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee, honored the Unknown U.S. soldiers and the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in observance of the 2021 Wreaths Across America national campaign. The official day for the event was Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

LaFrancis and Pernell, along with several volunteers, laid wreaths on the service member’s graves that are located at the Natchez National Cemetery, 41 Cemetery Road, in Natchez, Miss. They gave special recognition to Civil War Navy Landsman Wilson Brown (1841-1900), a Medal of Honor recipient.

Pernell said he was pleased to see the honor extended to the U.S. Colored Troops.

“This honor for these brave men is well-deserved and long overdue,” he said. “Now that we are remembering them by laying wreaths on their graves, we plan to continue doing this each year. These soldiers played a major role in the Civil War, and their contributions to our nation must not be forgotten.”

Pernell said he was happy the Natchez USCT Monument Committee participated in the day’s ceremony.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that honors the nation’s veterans who are laid to rest. Home With Heroes Foundation is a private, non-profit organization that is “dedicated to helping veterans and loved ones, according to LaFrancis.

For more information:
Wreaths Across America: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
Home With Heroes: https://homewithheroes.org
Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Project: https://natchezusctmonument.com

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r8qxT5KUJM
 

#NatchezColoredTroops #VisitNatchez #BlackHistory #CivilWar