What is Lauderdale County Department of
Archives and History, Inc.?
Sketch of the Lauderdale County Courthouse
“The LCDAH was first conceived in 1983 as Lauderdale County was observing its sesquicentennial. By January of 1984, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors had established the Archives Department and appointed Jim Dawson in March, 1984, to develop the department, utilizing volunteer contributions of time, effort and funds.
Under Dawson's direction, members of the Re-tired Senior Volunteer Program were enlisted, their initial work focusing on indexing and abstracting county records, some of which dated back to 1835.
The young organization received a Phil Hardin Foundation grant for planning purposes. As a result of the grant, a group of knowledgeable persons from across the state gathered in Meridian in September of 1985 to map out a plan of action for the Archives, setting three goals: the establishment of an Archives; the establishment of a museum; and the writing of a factual county history.
Paths to the Past, which covers the history of Lauderdale County from its roots in the eighteenth century through the Great Depression, represents yet another accomplishment of the Archives, one that fits into the overall plan for the growth of the organization. The history, written by Jim Dawson and Nan Fairley and edited by Mary Jennings, is only one of many publications sponsored by the LCDAH. Profits from the sale of the book will go towards making the future of the organization even brighter...
Throughout its existence, the key element to the success of the LCDAH has been the cooperation of Lauderdale Countians and others with connections to the county.”
Excerpt from Paths to the Past
Under Dawson's direction, members of the Re-tired Senior Volunteer Program were enlisted, their initial work focusing on indexing and abstracting county records, some of which dated back to 1835.
The young organization received a Phil Hardin Foundation grant for planning purposes. As a result of the grant, a group of knowledgeable persons from across the state gathered in Meridian in September of 1985 to map out a plan of action for the Archives, setting three goals: the establishment of an Archives; the establishment of a museum; and the writing of a factual county history.
Paths to the Past, which covers the history of Lauderdale County from its roots in the eighteenth century through the Great Depression, represents yet another accomplishment of the Archives, one that fits into the overall plan for the growth of the organization. The history, written by Jim Dawson and Nan Fairley and edited by Mary Jennings, is only one of many publications sponsored by the LCDAH. Profits from the sale of the book will go towards making the future of the organization even brighter...
Throughout its existence, the key element to the success of the LCDAH has been the cooperation of Lauderdale Countians and others with connections to the county.”
Excerpt from Paths to the Past
Where Is the Lauderdale County Department of
Archives & History Inc. Located?
Raymond P. Davis Annex Building as seen from 4th Street
410 Constitution Avenue
2nd Floor Raymond P. Davis Annex Building
Meridian, MS 39301
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