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Entergy Pledges $1
Million toward 2MM
Pictured from left are Entergy Mississippi president Haley Fisackerly, Nothern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, former NAACP chair Myrlie Evers, former governor William F. Winter, Entergy Corporation chairman of the board Leo Denault, Governor Phil Bryant, MDAH Trustee Reuben Anderson, former Mississippi Supreme Court justice Fred Banks, and Central District Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey.
Mississippi governor Phil Bryant and other state officials were joined by representatives from Entergy Corporation to announce a $1 million donation for the 2 Mississippi Museums project on Thursday, May 1. The funds will be used by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for exhibits in the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
“Our company’s history has been intertwined with the state’s history for 90 years and our future will be as well,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president. “We’re pleased and proud to be a part of preserving our state’s rich history and sharing it with the world. The museums will be the ultimate tourism destination for visitors interested in the many facets of the Mississippi story.”
Leo Denault, Entergy Corporation chairman of the board and chief executive officer, and Fisackerly presented the $1 million check at the construction site in downtown Jackson to Governor Bryant, former governor William Winter, and MDAH Trustee Reuben Anderson, who accepted the gift on behalf of the state and the museums.
“Entergy has been a valued corporate partner to Mississippi for generations,” said Bryant. “The company is an important part of Mississippi’s economy and has a long history of supporting Mississippi communities.”
When the state legislature authorized construction of the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in 2011, MDAH was asked to raise private dollars to match the public money for exhibits. The Foundation for Mississippi History and Foundation for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum are on target to meet the goal of $16 million—$12
million for the exhibits plus a $2 million endowment for each museum.
“We are very grateful to the Entergy stockholders for this extraordinary gift to the people of Mississippi,” said H.T. Holmes, MDAH director. “Entergy’s leadership in making this gift sends a strong message about the significance of this project to the state, region, and nation.”
Since construction of the museums began in December,
120,000 cubic yards of dirt have been removed, retaining walls built, and foundation work begun. While only the top two floors of the four-story 2MM building will be visible from North Street, all four will be seen from Jefferson Street. The underground floors will house collection storage and exhibit work space. The first slab was poured in May for the Museum of Mississippi History’s basement floor. Auger cast pile caps
for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum foundation are nearing completion, and its first slab will be poured in June.
Masonry work for both museums will start in July when workers begin building exterior walls and closing in the perimeter of the entire building.
The museums are scheduled to open in 2017 as the centerpiece of the state’s bicentennial celebration. To learn more visit 2mississippimuseums.com.
RETIREMENT, continued from p. 1
as a college intern. He went on to serve as oral historian, archivist, records analyst, manuscript curator, map curator, head of the special collections section, and director of the department’s Archives and Library division from 1988 through 2004. A native of Winona, Holmes earned his B.A. in English
from Millsaps College in 1973 and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1982.
“I am proud of the work done daily by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. MDAH administers programs and operates museums and historic sites that
in most other states are the responsibility of four, five, six, or more agencies,” said Holmes. “The department’s next director will find a true treasure with the dedicated staff in place here.” The board will begin a national search for the next director in June. See mdah.state, ms.us for details.