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Archives Acquires Significant Collection of Welty Letters
In 1970, detective novelist Ross Macdonald wrote a letter to Eudora Welty, beginning a thirteen-year correspondence between the authors and kindred spirits. Twenty recently acquired letters will strengthen the collection of their letters already held by MDAH and add to the understanding of the impact each had on the other’s writing.
“These letters from various points in their friendship offer a wealth of insight into their craft and the emotional and artistic connection between the two,” said Julia Marks Young, MDAH Archives and Records Services Division director.
Ross Macdonald was the pen name of Kenneth Millar. He was well known for his hardboiled mysteries, including his series set in Santa Teresa, California, featuring detective Lew Archer.
The correspondence between Welty and Millar continued until his developing Alzheimer’s made it impossible. After Millar’s death in 1983, Ralp'
B. Sipper, a friend both writers and a ran book dealer, donate 156 of Welty’s letter; to Millar to MDAH,
This correspondence betwee Welty and Millay is the subject of forthcoming boo] edited by Suzanne Marrs and Tom Nolan.
“When I was still researching my book, I contacted Ralph Sipper for permission to quote from some of his letters to Eudora,” said Marrs. “He agreed, then asked if I would like to see a group of letters from Eudora to Ken that were in his possession. Of course, I
said yes! As it turns out those twenty letters add tremendously to our understanding of the Welty/Millar relationship. It’s wonderful to have all but a few of the letters
in one place now and to have archivists who are so knowledgeable and helpful.”
Though separated by background, geography, genre, and his marriage, the two authors shared their lives through letters. In them, they brougnt to
bear their literary talents on a wide range of topics, discussing each others’ publications, the process of translating life into fiction, the nature of the writer’s block each encountered, and books they were reading. They also discussed the world around them, includ-ing the Vietnam \ War and the presidencies of Nixon, Carter, and Reagan.
The Eudora Welty Collection at MDAH includes drafts, revised copies, and printer’s versions of Welty’s works, as well as stories, books, essays, reviews, lectures, speeches, correspondence, memorabilia, and negatives and photographs.
Preservation Projects Receive $2M
Seventeen preservation and restoration projects throughout the state have received more than $2 million from the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program. The program, authorized and funded by the Mississippi Legislature, helps preserve and restore historic courthouses and schools and, in Certified Local Government (CLG) communities, other historic properties. Over the life of the program MDAH has awarded more than $32 million to 203 projects. The 2015 Legislature has approved funding for another round of the program.
The latest grant awards are as follows:
Natchez Institute, Natchez, Adams County—$150,000. For installation of afire suppression system.
West Point City Hall, West
Point, Clay County—$81,597. For exterior restoration and roof repair.
Clarksdale Central Fire Station, Clarksdale, Coahoma County—$46,458. For electrical upgrades, restoration of interior, and repair to masonry, doors, and windows.
Eureka School, Hattiesburg, Forrest County—$131,000. For restoration of the school's secondfloor.
Lanier High School, Jackson, Hinds County—$80,000. For restoration of the building’s faqade.
Lowry House, Jackson, Hinds County—$59,708. For rehabilitation of interior, installation of interior and exterior lighting, and landscaping.
Morning Star School, Edwards, Hinds County—$75,000. For restoration of roof and
walls.
Rhino Barn at Jackson Zoo, Jackson, Hinds County—$148,400. For interior rehabilitation and roof and masonry repair and restoration. LaPointe-Krebs House, Pascagoula, Jackson County—$200,000. For further stabilization and restoration of interior and exterior.
Lynville School, Preston, Kemper County—$216,000. For roof replacement.
Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts, Meridian, Lauderdale County—$38,240. For roof repair, exit door replacement, and termite treatment. Marion County Courthouse, Columbia, Marion County—$141,830. For cupola repair and restoration.
Old Water and Light Plant, Holly Springs, Marshall Coun-
ty—$ 160,000. For roof replacement and masonry restoration. Immanuel Church, Winona, Montgomery County—$138,094. For restoration of stained glass windows.
Old Holmesville-Pike County Courthouse, Holmesville, Pike County—$120,750. For restoration and stabilization of the exterior and rehabilitation of the interior.
Tallahatchie County Courthouse, Sumner, Tallahatchie County—$122,370. For restoration of the east entrance. Union County Courthouse, New Albany, Union County—$245,000. For restoration of the roof and cupola.
There are sixty CLG communities in Mississippi. To learn more about the CLG program, contact Barry White at 601-576-6940.