Harris named winner of 2025 Historic Preservation Award

By Roscoe Barnes III
The Natchez Democrat
Published 3:50 pm Friday, November 15, 2024

Lance Harris speaks during a program at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians (File photo)
Click on image to enlarge.

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- Lance S. Harris, sites operation administrator for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, is the winner of the 2025 Historic Preservation Award presented by the Natchez Historical Society, announced Karen Hill, president of the society.
 
The award honors individuals or organizations who have made a significant contribution to historic preservation or the study of history within the Natchez area. It is presented in January at the society’s annual dinner.
 
“Lance Harris’ contributions to the historic preservation and the history of Natchez are unmistakable,” said Hill. “His work is invaluable, as it helps to broaden our understanding and appreciation of local history.”
 
Harris said he was surprised and grateful to learn that he was named the recipient of the award.
 
“Natchez is not just a place of regional or national importance, but of true international significance,” he said. “It has also had a special place in my heart for a very long time. I am forever grateful for the embrace of the community for my family ten years ago and the opportunity to learn and share about Natchez with others during that time. This award is a treasure and I sincerely appreciate the honor.”
 
Harris served for eight years as the executive director of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. However, his contribution to Natchez history extends far beyond his work at the Grand Village.
 
Preserving and sharing history
 
MDAH Director Katie Blount said the award is a “fitting way to recognize Harris for his commitment to ensuring historic stories are preserved as an endowment for future generations.” She commended him for the recognition.
 
“We congratulate Lance on being selected as the recipient of the 2025 Historic Preservation Award by the Natchez Historical Society,” Blount said. “Lance’s dedication to preserving and sharing the history of Mississippi’s multicultural heritage has been an essential asset at MDAH. We’ve drawn on his deep knowledge and insight over the years – most recently for the ongoing restoration of Historic Jefferson College and the planned interpretive center at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.”
 
Blount said that Harris is known for making tangible connections to people and places.
 
“It’s not surprising to learn he participated in events celebrating Native American heritage when he was a youth,” she said. “It takes that kind of keen interest to fully embrace the purpose and mission of preservation. He’s inspired his colleagues, community leaders and others who know him through his volunteerism and his thoughtful and collaborative approach to preservation.”
 
Since 2016, Harris has served as a commissioner on the board of the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission (NCPC) that oversees Visit Natchez. For five years, he led the board as president.
 
Recognized by friends and colleagues
 
Harris’ contribution to local history is acknowledged by colleagues, friends, and elected officials throughout Natchez.
 
“I can think of no one more deserving of this prestigious award,” said Mayor Dan Gibson. “Lance has for many years gone above and beyond to be a true asset to Natchez. Not only has he been such a great caretaker of the Natchez Grand Village and now contributing such leadership to the redevelopment of Historic Jefferson College, he has also served voluntarily in so many ways, from Visit Natchez to our Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee. We salute Lance and congratulate him on this great award.”
 
Dr. Chuck Borum, chairman and director of the Natchez Powwow, said Harris deserves a lot of praise and attention. “I have known Lance since he was a teenager and was participating in events at the Grand Village site here in Natchez,” Borum said. “He has been a fantastic director with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and he has really become super involved in many, many activities that promote the City of Natchez, especially its rich history.”
 
Harris is a native of Laurel. He and his wife, Nicole, moved to Natchez with their children in 2015 from Lafayette, Louisiana. Since their arrival, they have been active in many programs throughout the community.
 
Harris’ love of history and diverse cultures prompted him to support Native American tradition for many years. Since the age of 15, he has traveled to dances and events throughout the country, including the Natchez Powwow.  He said it was this connection that led to his coming to the Grand Village in 2015.  Since then, he has enjoyed bringing indigenous people of Natchez (pronounced Nahchee) descent back to the site to share their culture and assist in the new planning at the site.
 
Scholarship and volunteer service
 
Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he also completed 63 hours of graduate studies towards an Applied Cultural Heritage Studies, Dual Master of Arts in History and Anthropology. Harris earned an Associate of Arts at Jones County Junior College.
 
While living in Natchez, Harris published articles and participated in numerous panel discussions. He also gave scores of presentations on Native American history, among other topics.
 
Harris has served on many committees helping volunteer groups throughout the local community. He currently chairs the Design Subcommittee for the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee. In this capacity, he helped to secure a sculptor/designer and a concept of the monument for the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops.
 
Harris recently assisted the Natchez Historical Society with its application for the Prince Ibrahima marker. Since 2021, he has served on the Natchez Civil Rights Trail Committee which has succeeded in bringing two Mississippi Freedom Trail markers to Natchez.

Read more at: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2024/11/15/harris-named-winner-of-2025-historic-preservation-award/
 
 

VIDEO: Mississippi Freedom Trail marker unveiled for Natchez Deacons for Defense and Justice

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On Saturday, November 9, 2024, we held a ceremony for the unveiling of a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker for the Natchez Deacons for Defense and Justice in Natchez, Mississippi. It was a great program and wonderful tribute to the men who made a difference in the Civil Rights Movement in Natchez in the 1960s.

Dr. Akinyele Umoja, author of “We Will Shot Back,” was our guest speaker. We were joined by the Natchez NAACP and the Mississippi NAACP. We’re grateful to Mississippi Humanities Council and Visit Mississippi for making this program possible.

Watch the Facebook Live video recording of the ceremony at this link:

 https://www.facebook.com/share/15DC69MZP3/

Ceremony honoring Natchez Deacons for Defense and Justice

Dr. Roscoe Barnes III is speaking at the November 9, 2024, ceremony for the unveiling of the Mississippi Freedom Trail marker for the Natchez Deacons for Defense and Justice. The program was held at Zion Chapel AME Church in Natchez, Mississippi. Photo by Ben Hillyer Photography (Click on image to enlarge.)

See video recording of the unveiling ceremony at this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/15DC69MZP3/

Natchez Colored Troops committee announces t-shirt fundraising campaign

By Roscoe Barnes III
Natchez, MS, USA / ListenUpYall.com
Nov 7, 2024 | 11:27 AM

Showing off t-shirts for the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument. Pictured from left are Lynsey Gilbert, interim director of Visit Natchez; Mallory Meng, community and programs manager for Visit Natchez; and Robert Pernell, chairman of the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee. (Click on image to enlarge.)

NATCHEZ, Miss. — The Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee is selling t-shirts to raise funds for the monument that will honor more than 8,000 Black men who served at Fort McPherson in Natchez during the Civil War.

The shirts are available for purchase at the Historic Natchez Foundation at 108 S. Commerce St. The cost is $20 for sizes small, medium, and large; and $23 for sizes 2X and 3X.

The shirts are off-white and feature an image of the proposed monument — with three members of the Colored Troops — on the back side. The committee’s logo is displayed on the front.

“This is one of several things we’re doing to raise money for this important monument,” said Robert Pernell, who chairs the committee for the monument. “This is a community endeavor that will be part of the local landscape for generations to come. We believe it will serve to educate and inspire our local citizens and the people who come to Natchez from all over the world.”

Pernell said he is excited about the shirts and he believes those who purchase them will love the design.

The estimated cost of the monument is $1.09 million, according to Pernell. Sculptor Thomas Jay Warren of Warren Sculpture Studios in Oregon is the official designer of the project.

In addition to selling shirts, the monument committee continues to seek donations through businesses, church groups, civil clubs, and individuals. The committee is also researching funding opportunities through grants, Pernell said.

The monument will be located on the north end of the Bluff at the corner of Madison and North Broadway streets. It will feature the names of the Colored Troops that served with six regiments. These regiments include: 6th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery, 58th U.S. Colored Infantry, 70th U.S. Colored Infantry, 71st U.S. Colored Infantry, 63rd U.S. Colored Infantry, and the 64th U.S. Colored Infantry. The list of names will include those who served in the Navy who were born in Natchez.

The selected names were provided by Dr. Frank Smith and the African American Civil War Museum, where he serves as founding director.

For more information on this fundraising campaign, call 601-442-2500.

Veterans Week programs announced for Miss-Lou

By Roscoe Barnes III
The Natchez Democrat
Published 4:58 pm Wednesday, November 6, 2024

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Special to The Natchez Democrat 

NATCHEZ — Several Veterans Day programs will be held in Natchez, Vidalia, and Ferriday between November 6 and 12. Veterans of the U.S. military will be honored in schools, a park, a church, and in civic club gatherings, among other places.

 
In Natchez, G. Mark LaFrancis will be honored posthumously as the Patriot of the Year. LaFrancis passed in June 2024 following a long battle with cancer. He was the founding president of Home with Heroes Foundation Inc. The foundation is a private non-profit organization that works to help and honor veterans, as well as their loved ones.

U.S. Air Force veteran John “Captain Jack” Kerwin will be honored as the Veteran of the Millennia. U.S. Army veteran Ben Tucker, chairman of the board for Homes with Heroes, will serve as grand marshal for the city’s Veterans Day Parade.

 
“Veterans Day is a time of saying thank you,” said Mayor Dan Gibson. “Our community is full of patriots who have served, even those currently serving, who remind us that freedom is not free but rather comes at a price. I encourage all of our citizens to pause on November 11 to say thank you. And I hope all will take part in our special activities scheduled for this special day.”

 
Vidalia, November 6

On Wednesday, November 6, the Point Man International Ministries of the Miss-Lou,  a non-profit interdenominational Christian service organization that supports veterans and their families, will present a program honoring veterans at the Vidalia Lions Club luncheon at 402 Carter Street, Vidalia, according to Doug McCallister, the organizations president. He said his organization will give a status report of the “Cost of Freedom Tribute” memorial, among other things.

 
McCallister is a Vietnam Army veteran. He said this program and others organized by him, including those in which he participates, are done in partnership with the VFW Post 9573, the Vidalia American Legion Post 590, and the Natchez American Legion Post 4.  

For more information, call McCallister at 601-431-2096.
 
Natchez, November 10

 
The 14th Annual Veterans Recognition program where veterans from the Miss-Lou area are honored and presented gift bags will be held at 8 a.m., Sunday, November 10,  at Zion Hill #1 Baptist Church at 349 Lower Woodville, Road. The event is free and open to the public.  Door prizes also will be given, announced Alice Jones, the 2024 chairperson for the program.  For more information, call 601-442-2782.

 
Natchez, November 11

 
Home with Heroes will support several Veterans Day programs on Monday, November 11, that will begin with Mayor Gibson leading a bench dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. for U.S. Navy veteran Steve Nielsen at Memorial Park. This news was shared by retired Army Lt. Col. Larry Smith, president of Home with Heroes.

 
Smith said the ceremony will be followed by a parade at 11 a.m. that begins at the park and proceeds on Main Street to the Bandstand on the Bluff on Broadway Street. Ben Tucker will be the grand marshal. The parade will also feature the Natchez High School Marching Band and the Air Force Junior ROTC Corps of Cadets.

 
The mayor will lead an awards ceremony at 11:20 a.m. at the Bandstand, where U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force veteran John “Captain Jack” Kerwin will be recognized as the Veteran of the Millennia and the late G. Mark LaFrancis, US Air Force veteran, will be honored as the Patriot of the Year. The ceremony will conclude with a prayer of benediction and the bugle’s sounding of taps, to remember those who have died and to honor those veterans who are still with us.  These events are free and open to the public.

 
ACCS, November 11

 
On Monday, November 11, the Adams County Christian School will host its annual Veterans Day program at 1:30 p.m. It will feature Vietnam Army veteran Doug McCallister, president of the Point Man International Ministries of the Miss-Lou. McCallister said it will be a special time when the students recognize veterans and present displays representing people who serve — and have served — in the United States military. The students will also hear a presentation on patriotism by McCallister.

 For more information, call McCallister at 601-431-2096.

 
Ferriday, November 12

 
A program honoring veterans will be held at 9 a.m., Tuesday, November 12, at the Delta Charter School. The annual event is organized by Doug McCallister of Point Man International Ministries of the Miss-Lou and his supporting organizations.  For more information, call McCallister at 601-431-2096
 
Read more at: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2024/11/06/veterans-week-programs-announced-for-miss-lou/

The Civil Rights Movement in Natchez, Mississippi

New article published by Mississippi History Now

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This is the article I wrote for Mississippi History Now, a publication of the Mississippi Historical Society and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. It was published this week. The article includes a Lesson Plan for students written by MDAH educators.

See the article at this link:

https://mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/issue/civil-rights-movement-natchez-mississippi

History will be made in Natchez on Saturday, Nov. 9

Join us for this important event!

It is FREE and open to the public!

(Click on image to enlarge.)