UM Celebrates Mississippi's Bicentennial With Events At J. D. Williams Library

This December, Oxford will be celebrating Mississippi’s 200th anniversary. Ahead of the anniversary, the Oxford community is celebrating with serval events free to the public about the rich history of the Magnolia state. The University of Mississippi will also host two events to spread light onto the state’s cultural identity. People from around the world can learn more about Mississippi in the Archives and Special Collections area on the third floor of the J. D. Williams Library.
On June 19, some of the editors and contributors of the Mississippi Encyclopedia will read and discuss their publication to the public. Guests are welcomed to bring their own bag lunch to the meeting that will last from 12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m.
“The encyclopedia is full of Mississippi forward information and discussions on how people interpret the State with descriptions and criticisms,” Dr. Ted Ownby, co-editor of the Mississippi Encyclopedia and University of Mississippi Professor of History and Southern Studies, said.

The encyclopedia, which totals around 1,600 pages of information, is an A-to-Z collection of people, places, and events in Mississippi from prehistoric times to today. Over 600 scholarly writers and 30 subject editors wrote 1,500 entries for the past 13 years to go into the book. Copies of the encyclopedia will be sold during the event.
“We tried to think of everything someone might want to look up about Mississippi,” Dr. Ownby, said. “When it comes to Mississippi, people either love it or have mixed feelings about it. We tried to get entries that cover everyone’s perspective.”
On June 21, the public is also welcomed to attend the official opening of the “Mississippi: 200 years of Statehood” exhibit starting at 5 p.m. in the Faulkner Room. A video statement from former Governor Winter will be shown, and celebrated author and University of Mississippi alumni W. Ralph Eubanks will speak to the audience. 
“I have the chance every day to see Mississippi’s past, but I think the opportunity to mount displays will provide perspective on Mississippi’s past, present, and future,” Dr. Jennifer Ford, Head of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, said.
The exhibit, which was unofficially opened in January, holds 21 cases devoted to all things about Mississippi. Some of the items included are maps, campaign memorabilia, vinyl records and old textbooks.

“Some things are ordinary things you wouldn’t think about putting on display, but they tell a lot about what was taught in Mississippi,” Dr. Ford said.
The Keynote speaker, Eubanks, is a noted Mississippi author who received his B. A. from the University of Mississippi. His books, such as “Ever is a Long Time” and “The House at The End of The Road,” deal with uncovering Mississippi’s past and interracial relations within the South. Eubanks speech will be called “Mississippi History and its interpretation.”
The Library chose to officially open the exhibit in June to connect with the other North Mississippi Bicentennial celebrations. On June 24, the North Governor’s Concert will be held in the Grove with musical acts like Marty Stuart, Shannon McNally and David Lee. The concert will also be free to the public.
“We are very excited to host these events the same week as the rest of the North Mississippi Bicentennial events,” Dr. Ford said.
Dr. Ford also hopes to open the exhibit on June 24, on a Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m.

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Allen Brewer is an intern for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at agbrewer@go.olemiss.edu. 
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