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The Daily Herald,
Section 2, Page B-l
fate / Local
Historic building
Edith Blerhorst Back, Bay Bureau Chief
A bazaar and antique show in the newly-restored Woodman of the World historic building in downtown Bay St. Louis will
commemorate the founding of Hancock County in 1812 this weekend. Old-timers still talk about the lively dances and banjo
concerts on the top floor decades ago. Restored, it now contains a two-level mall of antique shops.
Commemoration to be held Dec. 14
Hancock hall restored for Founder's Day
EDITH BEIRHORST BACK Herald Staff Writer
In commemoration of the founding of Hancock County on Dec. 14, 1812, the county historical society is holding a Founders’ Day Bazaar in the newly-restored Woodman of the World Building on S. Second Street, Bay St. Louis Saturday and Sunday.
Dedication of a new Antiques Mall on the two lower floors of the building is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald brown restored the facade of the building to its original design, with the third floor left in its original condition as a Victorian ballroom with convex tin panels of empire design on ceiling and walls and Victorian ceiling light fixtures.
Historical society officials will present the Browns with a plaque
depicting the history of the building.
The Woodmen of the . World Building has been nominated to the National Register of Historical Places within the Historical District of Bay St. Louis.
The property upon which the building stands was part of the Madame Charlo claim and was granted to Publius R.R. Pray as administrator for the lands of the State of Mississippi for one dollar. This lot became Pray’s homestead site.
On Oct. 17, 1838, Pray and his wife Maria reserved this land in the public square on the north side of Main Street in the village of Shieldsborough for public buildings.
After Pray's death in 1840, ownership of the property changed hands several times. In 1849, it was
acquired by John B. Toulme, first mayor of Shieldsborough, whose family retained it for many years.
In 1909, R.W. Toulme, council commander of the Cedar Grove Camp of the Woodmen of the World Insurance Society, and A. Hart, committee chairman, announced plans “to build the hall for use of serving refreshments on occasions of balls and other forms of entertainment.”
The lower floors were used by the society’s managers and only the upper level had public use. A number of senior residents of Bay St. Louis today recall the dances in the ballroom and favorites like Ziggy, the banjo player.
Over the years, the building served many purposes besides a place for dances, plays and theatrical productions. Catholic nuns used it as a schoolhouse after their
school burned. A dancing school was conducted on the upper floors, and a clothing manufacturer conducted business on the premises. Most recently, it housed The Sea Coast Echo until the newspaper moved to new quarters a block away.
The first bazaar in the newly-restored hall will be held by the Hancock County Historical Society, its members wearing period costumes and selling contributed bakery goods and handicrafts.
Proceeds will be used for publishing historical documents and history and for the preservation of county records.
Anyone wishing to contribute items for sale is asked to bring them to the new “Shieldsborough Square Antiques Mall” today until 5:30 p.m.