Historic Natchez Foundation

TO FOSTER, ENCOURAGE, AND ENGAGE IN THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIC OR IMPORTANT SITES, BUILDINGS, AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN EVERY WAY DEEMED TO BE FEASIBLE, INCLUDING ACQUISITION OF BUILDINGS, SITES, AND OTHER PROPERTY FOR PRESERVATION.

EDUCATION - INFORMATION RELATED TO NATCHEZ REGIONAL HISTORY, GENEALOGY, ARCHITECTURE, AND DECORATIVE ARTS IS PROVIDED ON A DAILY BASIS TO LOCAL CITIZENS, GOVERNMENTAL AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, VISITORS, SCHOLARS, WRITERS, GENEALOGISTS, HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS, MUSEUMS, FILMMAKERS, AND OTHERS. THE STAFF LECTURES AND CONSULTS ON NATCHEZ HISTORY; HISTORIC PRESERVATON; ARCHITECTURE; ARCHIVAL AND COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT; DECORATIVE ARTS; LANDSCAPES; AND GARDENS TO LOCAL CITIZENS, LOCAL AND VISITING ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO TOURISTS. DISPLAYS EXHIBITS RELATED TO THE THEMES PREVIOUSLY CITED, AS WELL AS CONTEMPORARY FINE ART BY ARTISTS CURRENTLY OR FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH NATCHEZ. THE FOUNDATION ALLOWS OTHER NON-PROFIT AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO USE THE FACILITIES AT NO CHARGE FOR MEETINGS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

PRESERVATION - WORKS TO PRESERVE HISTORIC BUILDINGS, WHICH SOMETIMES INVOLVES ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION. THE FOUNDATION PLACES PRESERVATION EASEMENTS IN PERPETUITY ON ALL HISTORIC PROPERTIES THAT ARE ACQUIRED FOR PRESERVATION PURPOSES BEFORE ANY RESALE OF THE PROPERTY.THE FOUNDATION SOLICITS PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING AND ADMINISTERS TWO FUNDS DEDICATED TO PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH THE CITY TO INSURE THAT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS MEET HISTORIC PRESERVATION GUIDELINES.THE FOUNDATION ADVISES ON PROPER PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION METHODOLOGY AND ON THE DESIGN OF NEW BUILDINGS TO MAKE THEM COMPATIBLE WITHIN A HISTORIC CONTEXT.

COLLECTIONS - HAS A SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF IMPORTANT ARCHIVAL MATERIAL, MUSEUM ARTIFACTS, AND PUBLIC RECORDS RELATED TO THE HISTORY OF THE NATCHEZ REGION. THE FOUNDATION'S COLLECTIONS INCLUDE BOOKS, PHOTOGRAPHS, DOCUMENTS, SITE FILES, SUBJECT FILES, PUBLIC RECORDS, AND ARTIFACTS. THE ARCHIVES AND PUBLIC RECORDS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON A DAILY BASIS TO THE PUBLIC UNDER SUPERVISION OF FOUNDATION STAFF. THE FOUNDATION MAINTAINS A RESEARCH LIBRARY WITH BOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL ON NATCHEZ AND REGIONAL HISTORY, MISSISSIPPI HISTORY, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ARCHITECTURE, DECORATIVE ARTS, FINE ARTS, AND MUSEUM MANAGEMENT. THE ADAMS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS ENTRUSTED THE FOUNDATION WITH THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC COURTHOUSE RECORDS DATING TO THE 18TH, 19TH, AND 20TH CENTURIES.THE COUNTY BEGAN RELOCATING CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS TO THE FOUNDATION IN 1992, AND THE PROGRAM EXPANDED IN 2008 TO INCLUDE THE CHANCERY COURT RECORDS. THE COUNTY PROVIDES A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT. THE FOUNDATION HAS SPONSORED THE PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNIVERSITIES AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PRESERVE AND CATALOGUE THESE VALUABLE HISTORIC DOCUMENTS. STAFF MEMBERS CONTINUE TO PROCESS RECORDS TO PRESERVE THEM AND TO BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE COMPUTER DATABASE TO MAKE THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.