NATCHEZ, Miss. — The Natchez Historical Society will hold its 2024 annual dinner at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Natchez Grand Hotel, 111 N. Broadway St. The event is open to all, members and non-members, alike, said Alan Wolf, a director of the society and its program chair.
Dr. David Nolen, professor and associate dean for Archives and Special Collections at Mississippi State University and former Librarian of its Grant Library, will be the featured speaker. He will speak on the topic, “Catching the Rabbit: U.S. Grant and the Vicksburg Campaign.”
Wolf said, “Professor Nolen’s presentation will illustrate how the image of rabbit-catching is an apt metaphor for the entire Vicksburg campaign.”
Speaking by email, Nolen said he is excited to be part of the program.
“The Vicksburg Campaign is an amazing story that we’ll spend the evening unpacking,” he said. “We’ll take a big-picture overview of the campaign and its significance, all while trying to do justice to some of the many twists, turns, and personal stories that make up that larger story.”
Joseph “Smokye Joe” Frank, a retired archaeologist and local historian, will be honored at the event as the winner of the 2024 Historic Preservation Award. The Historic Preservation Award honors individuals or organizations who have made a significant contribution to historic preservation or the study of history within the Natchez area.
Reservation and payment deadline for the event is Sunday, Jan 14. Karen Hill, president of the society, said that for the first time, payment will not be accepted at the door. Registration and cash bar will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Reservation and payment may be made online at natchezhistoricalsociety.org or by sending payment to Natchez Historical Society, P.O. Box 49, Natchez Miss. 39121. You may also call 281-731-4433 or 601-492-3004. All checks must have names and phone numbers.
Dinner is $37 per person (regular and vegetarian options available). Membership dues for 2024 also may be included: $20 per person or $35 per couple.
The Historical Society’s programs are funded in part by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Comments