Ocean Springs News
OS Museum of History Opens, Accepting Artifacts for Display
Ocean Springs, MS – What began as a passion for local history shared among friends, family and city leaders over 20 years ago has manifested into a 1,000 square ft. space for the Ocean Springs Museum of History in the historic Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center for Arts & Education, 1600 Government.
“We have a 300 year history and have never had a place to house the artifacts,” explained Betty Magee, Cultural Affair Coordinator for the City of Ocean Springs. “The completion of this museum is of significant importance to the continued economic and cultural growth of our city. It is a major milestone for our City as the Museum Commission will finally have a place to collect, store, curate, and display the historical artifacts, documents and oral history of our City in one place accessible to all.”
The Ocean Springs Museum of History is currently accepting heirlooms and artifacts that tell the unique history of the city founded in 1699. These include quilts, clothing, kitchen items, bottles, antiques, pictures, school memorabilia, Indian artifacts, letters, books, or any item that reflects the history of the community. Citizens who have such items may contact Ms. Magee at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center at 228-818-2878. Items may either be given as a loan or as an unconditional gift to the museum. Both processes involve a written agreement between the Museum Commission and the donor. Once at item is received by the museum, it is evaluated by the Museum Commission.
Members of the Ocean Springs Museum of History Commission are: Joey Rice, Chairwoman; Sharon McQuilkin, Larry Cosper, Pat Pinson, Joe Garrard, Mabelle Bowers, and Margaret Reynolds.
Former members of the Ocean Springs Museum of History Commission are: Stuart Broome, Steve Robinson, Betty Milstead, Terry Miller, Ray Bellande, Maralou Hutto, and Regina Hines.
“There are many dimensions to our history in Ocean Springs,” explained Ms. Rice, Commission Chairwoman. “We have the histories of families, but also the histories of our landscape, our waterways, businesses, schools, the tree canopies, and our seafood industry. The museum is the best place to display this unique history.”
“Most of our history is stored in the closets and attics in the homes of many of our elderly citizens, and the need to collect and curate these documents and artifacts has become critical before our history is lost forever,” explained Ms. Magee.
Commission members also pointed out the loss of city artifacts from Hurricane Katrina, and why the need is urgent to collect and house these items in a safe location with a fire sprinkler protection storage area, such as the Ocean Springs Museum of History.
