Oxford High History Teacher Earns Historic Appointment

OHS History Teacher John Mistilis Appointed Secretary of Oxford’s First-Ever Historic Properties Commission

Oxford High School History Teacher John Mistilis was recently appointed to the position of Secretary of Oxford’s new Historic Properties Commission. The board was established on October 1, and Mistilis was elected Secretary by members of the board at the first meeting on August 30, 2013.

“Being a history teacher and a lifelong resident of Oxford, I am always concerned with the preservation of all historic properties,” Mistilis said. “Serving on these boards gives me the opportunity to take a more active role in management and preservation.”

As Secretary, Mistilis’ main duty will be keeping accurate minutes of each Commission meeting. The Commission holds regular meetings the fourth Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at either the L.Q.C. Lamar House or Cedar Oaks.

The Historic Properties Commission was founded in order to maintain and preserve notable properties as well as attaining new historic properties. The L.Q.C. Lamar House and Cedar Oaks are currently the only properties under the Commission’s management.

Mistilis first served on the Burns-Belfry Board where Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson approached him about the opportunity of serving on the board for the Historic Properties Commission.

Mistilis and his fellow board members hope that the newly dedicated Burns-Belfry Church will soon be added to the list of properties managed by the Commission.

“I’m very interested in the educational opportunities that the L.Q.C. Lamar House and the Burns-Belfry can offer our children,” Mistilis said. —Special to HottyToddy.com From Oxford School District