Instructor

Although Lee had no experience managing an institution of higher education, his graduation from West Point and his support of studying agriculture, as well as his political connections, led to his appointment of the new agricultural college.&nbsp;Stephen Dill Lee served as the college's president until 1889. After that time, he devoted most of his time to leading&nbsp;the largest fraternal order of Confederate veterans. &nbsp;

This bust of Stephen Lee was made by 19th century sculptor Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson

This portrait of Lee hangs in the Mississippi Hall of Fame

More information from the Mississippi Dept of Archives and History

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This bust honors Stephen Dill Lee, who became the first president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi in 1880. Lee is most famous as a regular army officer who joined his state in secession and delivered P.G.T. Beauregard's ultimatum to the Union commander of Fort Sumter. When the Union garrison refused to abandon their post, as Beauregard had demanded, the Confederacy fired upon the fort, effectively starting the Civil War. Lee served as a Lieutenant General throughout the war and became a planter in Columbus Mississippi during Reconstruction. Despite spending most of his life as a soldier, his political connections led to his appointment as the president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi, which was authorized by the state legislature in 1878 and began its first semester with Lee at the helm in 1880. 

Bust of Stephen D. Lee

This tour offers an overview of the history of the downtown Starkville area, with stops at several historic buildings and other landmarks that collectively tell the story of the city and its people. Included on this tour are historic buildings and districts, museums, cemeteries, and more. The tour continues east to the Mississippi State University Campus and includes several of the most unique buildings, monuments, and museums on campus. This tour gives a brief overview of the historical sites in the Starkville area, allowing visitors to experience Starkville's culture and heritage firsthand.

The Greensboro Street Historic District is one of Starkville's most architecturally significant neighborhoods. The entire district contains 46 structures, and over 30 of those are architecturally and/or historically significant. The majority of the structures within the district are residential, with the earliest dating back to the 1860s. The district continued to grow from the 1860s to the 1920s, resulting in a multitude of architectural styles across the many houses in the area. It has been said that&nbsp;Greensboro Street preserves the architecture and ambiance of historical Starkville better than any other street in the city, making it a unique representation of Starkville's culture.&nbsp; The earliest houses in the district are examples of Greek Revival architectural style. These houses were constructed during the 1860s and 1870s, a time when Greek Revival had declined in other areas but was still popular in Starkville. Queen Anne Style became more popular from the 1880s to 1900, resulting in several houses constructed in this style during the time period. Some of the most visually significant buildings in the neighborhood were constructed between 1900 and 1920. These houses, constructed in Colonial Revival and Four Square styles, represent the prosperity of the Starkville area during the time period in their large structures and ornate features. In the 1920s, after World War I, Bungalow style became popular for a short time. However, by the mid 1920s, Late Gothic Style took over as most popular. Each of these styles is represented by one or more houses in the district, showcasing a wide variety of different styles and influences throughout the years of the neighborhood's development. There is also one house that is a mixture of Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic architectural styles and one structure that features Jacobethan Style, one of only a few buildings in this style in the state of Mississippi. During the 1860s and 1870s, the district became a popular residential location for many prominent merchants and civic leaders in the area. Throughout its history, Greensboro has been the home of three mayors, two alderman, a judge, a sheriff, and a state legislator. Many historical leaders of business, education, and economic development have also called Greensboro home, giving the district an important history that extends beyond the architecture of its buildings. Many of the original houses of these leaders and political figures remain preserved today, keeping the history of the region alive for future generations. Both the structures and their historic residents make Greensboro Street significant, placing the district on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Greensboro Street Historic District is a historically significant area of Starkville, Mississippi. The district is most notable for its lengthy growth and development, which occurred over a period of roughly six decades. Because of this, the district contains many examples of architectural styles that represent how the preferred style changed throughout the years. The district also became the preferred housing location for civic leaders and merchants in the 1860s and 1870s. Today, several of these preserved homes remain, keeping alive an important part of the area's history. Because of its historical significance, the district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Greensboro Street Historic District

The Starkville City Jail, also known as the Oktibbeha County Jail, is connected to the Sheriff's Office and has been serving Starkville and the surrounding communities in Oktibbeha County for many years. The jail contains two distinct areas, the old jail that predated the opening of the official Oktibbeha County Jail and the new area of the jail&nbsp;that was first opened in 1992. With the addition of the new area came the official name of the Oktibbeha County Jail, a combination of the old jail and the new addition. The Starkville City Jail is historically notable for being the location where music star Johnny Cash spent the night in jail in 1965. On May 11, 1965, Johnny Cash performed two concerts on the Mississippi State University Campus. One concert was held in the animal husbandry building and the other was held at the university's Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house. After the concerts, Cash spent the night in Starkville, where he was arrested for public drunkenness early in the morning. Cash himself stated he believed the arrest occurred around 2:00 am, but other reports claim it was closer to 5:00 am. Cash was found in the garden of a resident of Starkville, picking flowers for no apparent reason. Cash himself said that he was on his way to get cigarettes and that he <blockquote>"reached down and picked a dandelion here and a daisy there as (he) went along."1</blockquote> Johnny Cash's one night spent in the jail in Starkville, Mississippi was the inspiration for his song "Starkville City Jail." The entire incident would likely have been forgotten if Cash had not written the song, immortalizing the night forever. Cash first performed the song "Starkville City Jail" at a concert at San Quentin Prison in California. At this concert, which took place in February of 1969, Cash recounted the story of how he was arrested for picking flowers and forced to spend a night in jail. The song was recorded and released in June of the same year. The cell where Cash spent the night is still part of the Oktibbeha County Jail. However, the cell was part of the old jail and is now used as a storage closet. Visitors are not able to tour the area because it is still part of a functioning jail. However, visitors are allowed to take pictures of the window of the cell from the outside, allowing them to feel connected to music legend&nbsp;Johnny Cash.

Known officially as the Oktibbeha County Jail, the Starkville City Jail has a unique history and is best known today for one notable inmate, music legend Johnny Cash. Cash spent one night in jail in Starkville in 1965 after being arrested for public drunkenness. Cash had performed two concerts the evening before and was out late at night when he was brought in, fined, and forced to spend the night in jail.

Starkville City Jail and Johnny Cash (1965)

Hotel Chester is a historic hotel located in the heart of Starkville, Mississippi. With a history tied to Starkville and its residents, the hotel has become an important piece of Starkville's unique culture. The hotel was built in 1925 and was the largest building in the business district at the time of its construction. Built in Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building has served as a hotel, an apartment complex, and retail space throughout its lifetime. Hoping to spur tourism and promote business development, Starkville's Chamber of Commerce led an effort to organize the Starkville Hotel Corporation and&nbsp;raise funds through stock subscriptions. The building was constructed at a cost of $80,000 between 1924 and 1925, and the hotel was furnished at an additional cost of $15,000. The hotel was named in honor of Chamber of Commerce President&nbsp;Chester Jarnigan.&nbsp; In 1940, the hotel changed its name in honor of John Stark, the Revolutionary War hero for whom the city is also named. The Stark Hotel was operated by the&nbsp;Starkville Hotel Corporation&nbsp;until 1965, when it sold the property to John Curtis Page. The hotel changed hands multiple times in the subsequent three decades, serving as business offices, retail space, and student apartments before being&nbsp;renovated by its new owners in the early 2000s. The building then was then returned to its original purpose as a hotel, continuing to serve guests today. In recent years, Hotel Chester has been expanded to include a popular restaurant. The Beer Garden was designed and created by Gordon Ramsay and features his famous Gordon Burger. The restaurant is located off of North Lafayette Street, in a public parking lot. It features both indoor and outdoor seating, locally brewed craft beers, and a relaxed atmosphere that draws in both new and returning patrons.

Built in 1925 as Hotel Chester, this historic hotel has changed names and changed owners multiple times throughout its nearly 100-year history. Threatened with closure several times, the three-story brick building was saved by new investors and historically-minded community members in each instance. The hotel was most-recently renovated in the 1980s and early 2000s, when new owners purchased the building and re-opened the historic hotel under its original name. Hotel Chester is still serving guests today, growing to accommodate the contemporary needs of its guests.

Hotel Chester

Known today as Overstreet Elementary, Overstreet School is a historic school that serves students grades 5 through 12. The institution is located in Starkville, Mississippi and has been serving the community for many years. The school was historically part of the Overstreet District, a neighborhood that began its development in 1870. Known today as the Overstreet Historic District, the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.&nbsp; Overstreet School itself was constructed&nbsp;in 1897 as the first school in Starkville, Mississippi. It was once the focal point of the Overstreet District, located just south of downtown Starkville. Overstreet School is still serving students and families today, giving it a long history of involvement with the Starkville community. The building was remodeled in 1949, updating its facilities and allowing the institution to educate and accommodate students in new ways. Today, Overstreet School strives to educate students in a modern learning environment. The institution aims to include technology and artistic development into the curriculum, enriching the educational experience and teaching students to connect with the world in new ways.&nbsp;

Starkville's Overstreet School has been serving the community since 1897 and is the oldest school that is still in operation within this part of Mississippi. The school was originally part of the Overstreet District, a community that is part of a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school was open to whites only until 1965 when the city adopted a plan that allowed parents to select their children's school. In Starkville and other parts of the state, few white students chose to attend schools with Black majorities while Black children and parents who sought to integrate white schools faced consequences from violence to ostracism and the loss of academic and extracurricular opportunities. As a result, integration proceeded slowly unti the Department of Education threatened to withdraw financial support to the city in 1968. Three years later, the city finally worked towards a meaningful integration plan. Overstreet School is open to all and continues to educate students today, making the institution an important part of Starkville'e past, present, and future. The historical district around the school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. 

Overstreet School and Historical District

The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum was established in 1976 as a celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States. Dedicated to preserving the local history of Oktibbeha County, the museum aims to educate future generations about Starkville's past and its cultural significance. Featuring both permanent and rotating exhibits, the museum draws in new and returning visitors looking to learn about the area's history and growth over time. The museum has a collection of permanent artifacts that display the history of Starkville and Oktibbeha County. These artifacts include an 1840 piano donated by a local family whose Civil War ancestors played for some Confederate soldiers, Native American and early settler artifacts, Civil War artifacts and other military memorabilia, photographs, and old clothing. Visitors can also learn about local aviation history, Coca Cola's local history, and other information about the town's past. Children will particularly enjoy the miniature railroad layout. The museum also offers various programs, events, and projects throughout the year that keep the community involved in the preservation of the area's local history.&nbsp; Alongside its permanent exhibits, the museum also features temporary exhibits that offer returning visitors something new to explore. The temporary exhibits the museum displays are primarily loaned to the museum from members of the community or pulled from the museum's archived collections. These exhibits bring a greater variety of history to the museum, drawing in both new and returning visitors. Some of the past returning exhibits include Vintage Valentines,&nbsp;“Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa Around the World,”&nbsp;International Mementos, and&nbsp;Penny Postcard Greeting Cards.&nbsp; In addition to the exhibits on display, the museum also features several special projects that expand the museum's offerings and enrich the community. One such special project is the rain garden, a sustainable landscaping project that collects water for the museum gardens while also helping with a drainage problem on the grounds. The museum decided to partner with the Mississippi State University Department of Landscape Architecture for the project, allowing the faculty and students of the department to design the project and help with its implementation. The project began in 2009, with construction of its multiple parts taking several years. Today, the project features a green-roof pavilion alongside the landscaping and the infiltration basin that collects the rainwater.

The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum was established in 1976 to preserve and promote the county's heritage. It is housed in the old Mobile and Ohio Railroad Depot, which has been renovated and expanded over the years to accommodate the museum's needs. Visitors will find all kinds of antique and contemporary items on display, all of which seek to capture the history of Oktibbeha County and its unique culture. The museum features many permanent exhibits that deal directly with Oktibbeha County's history alongside rotating exhibits that draw in returning visitors. The museum also seeks to involve the community in its work, partnering with other organizations for projects that expand the museum and the ways it is able to appeal to visitors. With a goal of preserving and sharing the area's rich history, the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum is an important piece of the Starkville community.

Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum

Odd Fellows Cemetery is an important historical burial place in Starkville, Mississippi. The cemetery dates back to the late 1800s, with the oldest identified gravestone dating back to 1882.&nbsp;Land was acquired by the&nbsp;Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of America, one of several&nbsp;Black fraternal organizations. The men of this&nbsp;organization&nbsp;donated the land to be used for the burial of&nbsp;members and non-members alike, providing a space where Black families could celebrate the lives of their departed in dignity. The cemetery&nbsp;is one of several historic Black cemeteries in the area. The&nbsp;Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of America purchased&nbsp;three&nbsp;acres and maintained a cemetery where Henderson Street intersects with&nbsp;Highway 82 in Starkville. That cemetery was&nbsp;added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. &nbsp;There are also three historic Black cemeteries in Columbus: Friendship Cemetery, Union Cemetery, and Sandfield Cemetery. Dating the tombstones to see if any predate 1882 is&nbsp;difficult as many of the graves were originally unmarked, and some of the tombstones have been worn by weather.&nbsp;The cemetery faced years of neglect until descendants and community members took steps to stop the&nbsp;vandalism and the natural wear from weather and other factors.&nbsp;These men and women&nbsp;restored the cemetery in the 1970s. The cemetery&nbsp;has been&nbsp;well-maintained in recent years.

The Odd Fellows Cemetery, once known as the Starkville Colored Cemetery, dates back to the purchase of land by former slaves after the Civil War. These former slaves built a church and established a burial ground, making this historic African American Cemetery is one of the oldest Black-owned cemeteries in the state of Mississippi. The oldest gravestone that can be identified dates back to 1882. After suffering years of neglect, the cemetery has been restored in order to make it a fitting final resting place for many prominent African American citizens.

Odd Fellows Cemetery (Starkville)

The Nash Street Historic District is a historic area in the City of Starkville. Once known as the Garden District, the area is the oldest subdivision in the city. Comprised of 1930s Great Depression Era homes, the district contains a rich history that can still be seen today. In the early to mid twentieth century, the neighborhood contained many upper middle-class residents. Within the district are 17 buildings, 13 of which contribute to the historical aspect of the area. The contributing buildings range in style from Tudor Revival to Colonial Revival to Craftsman, many of which were constructed as single family homes that are well preserved today. Most houses rest on brick foundations and utilize either brick or wood-frame construction. The lots within the district range from 11,250 square feet to 30,000 square feet. The district is also part of the College View Neighborhood, an area containing houses that have historically served as residences for professors and staff from Mississippi State University. The houses within College View Neighborhood are slightly newer than those on Nash Street, constructed primarily during the 1940s and 1950s.&nbsp;Both the Nash Street Historic District and the College View Neighborhood are a 15 minute walk from the Mississippi State University Campus, making the neighborhoods easily accessible. The College View Neighborhood is also known for containing many old trees ranging from 50 to 80 years old. Forty of these trees rest within the Nash Street Historic District itself, adding to the area's appeal and history. The Nash Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places today because of its significance in Starkville's history. Because the district is the city's oldest and most well-preserved subdivision, it represents the cultural change in Starkville that was occurring around the time of its creation. During the time period, Starkville was transforming from a trading center focused on agriculture to a city that focused on modern development and the university it held that was growing substantially. This change, largely the result of the growth of Mississippi A&amp;M College, can be seen in the architecture of the buildings on Nash Street, making the area a picture of Starkville's growth and development.&nbsp;

The Nash Street Historic District is the oldest and most well-preserved subdivision in the Starkville area. The district contains 13 buildings that contribute to the historical significance of the area. Comprised of 1930s Great Depression Era homes, the district is a representation of Starkville's growth from an agricultural center to a university town. Located 15 minutes from Mississippi State University, the district gives a unique look at Starkville's past and the rich history it holds.

Nash Street Historic District

The Cotton District is a housing development that is located adjacent to the Mississippi State University Campus, making it an ideal spot for students and faculty to live while attending or being involved with the campus. The idea for the housing development began in 1969 with owner Dan Camp, who sought to construct houses that preserved the historical style of the area while still being functional for contemporary residents. The district itself was included in plans for urban renewal in 1967, updating many of the houses already present on the land. Today, The Cotton District is notable for its traditional architecture styles. Styles such as Greek revival, Classical, and Victorian are present, giving the development a historical feel that represents the area's rich heritage. The Cotton District gets its name from the historic cotton mill that existed on the land before the housing development. The cotton mill was built in 1926 by the Sanders family, and through its development, houses for workers were added. These houses were located on 25 by 100 feet lots and consisted of very few rooms. When the cotton mill was in full production, the land grew to include stores, schools, and churches to accommodate the workers and their families. The cotton mill shut down in 1964 after scaling back production in the previous years. The majority of the houses were in need of repair, resulting in the district being included in plans for urban renewal across the City of Starkville.

The Cotton District is a housing development that primarily functions as student and faculty housing for Mississippi State University. The district is located adjacent to the university campus, making it an easily accessible area for students and faculty alike. The district was once the site of a large cotton mill, the area's historical namesake. Adjacent to the cotton mill was an area that contained houses for workers and their families, shops, and even schools, giving the area a unique history of both agriculture and economic development. The transformation of the community into a housing and shopping district represents the urban development of an area that still references the culture of the historic deep south in its architectural style.

The Cotton District

The Cullis &amp; Gladys Wade Clock Museum is comprised of the clock collection of Cullis Wade and his wife Gladys Wade. The museum is part of the Welcome Center on the Mississippi State University Campus. The vast array of clocks and watches was collected by the couple during their marriage, which began in 1967. The clock museum honors the Wades and their contributions to Mississippi State University, as well as their love of clocks. Charles Cullis Wade was a graduate of Mississippi State University in the class of 1940. With his electrical engineering degree, he worked in several different fields. He worked with cotton gins, saw mills, oil mills, and even served as a SeaBee in the Navy. In 1948, Wade moved to Bogalusa, where he eventually established a construction company with his new partner, Randolph Cassidy. In 1967, Wade married Gladys Valentine, who proceeded to volunteer as a Pink Lady at the medical center in Bogalusa for 35 years. The two had a love of antique furniture, and during their time collecting it, they discovered they also shared a love of clocks. They both loved collecting and working on the clocks, and several on display in the museum have been painted or modified by them. The first antique china clock the couple owned is also displayed in the museum today. The museum displays feature over 400 clocks and watches from various time periods and countries. The oldest clocks on display date back to the early 1700s. Almost every American manufacturer of clocks is represented in the museum collection. Some of the manufacturers represented include Ansonia, Seth Thomas, Waterbury, Howard, and W. L. Gilbert. French, English, and German clocks are included in the collection alongside the many American pieces. Some of the clocks displayed were altered by Cullis Wade. He was known to include small additions in the clocks or hand-paint designs on their glass surfaces. Many of the clocks still chime today, although visitors report that few chime exactly on the hour.

The Cullis & Gladys Wade Clock Museum is part of the Mississippi State University Campus. The museum is located in the University Welcome Center, inside the Cullis Wade Depot. The museum displays over 400 antique clocks and watches, the oldest dating back to the early 1700s. The museum is comprised of the clock collection of Cullis and Gladys Wade. During their marriage, the couple collected clocks from the United States, England, France, and Germany. The Wade's clocks remain in the Welcome Center today, where visitors can view them and hear them chime. 

Cullis & Gladys Wade Clock Museum

Mississippi A&amp;M moved from the Hardy Athletic Field to the “New Athletic Field” in 1914. It was just a grassy area on campus to play football and run track. It wasn’t until 1920 that it was named “Scott Field” after Olympic sprinter Don Magruder Scott – who was also a football player for the Aggie's. The design for the renovation of Mississippi State’s century-old Davis Wade Stadium transformed one of the smallest and oldest venues in college football’s powerful Southeastern Conference into one of its most fan-friendly, engaging and for players on opposing teams intimidating. An expansion to the north end zone increases the stadium’s capacity from 55,000 to more than 61,000 and provides new revenue-generating premium seating options. The addition of more than 8,000 seats a mix of student and premium offerings creates a wall of noise and distinct home-field advantage. The first addition in more than four decades was completed prior to the 1986 season.A $7.2 million expansion project including increasing the stadium by nearly 9,000 seats was completed. This included the upper deck and sections of seating on both sides of the east side. A new video/scoreboard was added to the stadium prior to the 1997 season on the north side. In 2002, donor, Floyd Davis Wade, helped fund a $30 million project that included the addition of 7,000 seats in the upper deck, 50 luxury suites and 1,700 club seats. The stadium was named in honor of Davis and the facility is now known as Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Today, Scott Field has a seating capacity of just over 55,000 consisting of double decked grandstands on both sides of the gridiron. One of the largest HD video/scoreboards, 111 ft. by 47ft., in college football is located in the north. expansion of Davis Wade was completed just prior to the start of the 2014 season. It raised capacity from 55,082 to 61,337. Davis Wade Stadium has produced a lot of NFL players 30 which play in the NFL including pro bowlers such as Dak Prescott, Darius Slay and KJ Wright.

Davis Wade Stadium, officially known as Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, is a stadium used for football located just outside the city limits of Starkville, Mississippi, United States, on the campus of Mississippi State University. It serves as the home stadium for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. Originally constructed in 1914 as New Athletic Field, it is the second-oldest stadium in the Football Bowl Subdivision behind Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium, and the fourth oldest in all of college football behind Penn's Franklin Field, Harvard Stadium, and Bobby Dodd Stadium. As of 2016, it has a seating capacity of 61,337 people. Davis Wade stadium was built to replace the Hardy Field which was used mostly for concerts and other forms of entertainment besides American Football. There have been many renovations since they began building the stadium in 1914.  

Davis Wade Stadium- Mississippi State Stadium  1914  Scott Field 

The Chapel of Memories is an important building on the Mississippi State University Campus. The chapel gives students and faculty a place to practice their religion while on campus, making it easier to maintain faith even while away from home. The chapel is also a popular venue for weddings, especially for alumni from Mississippi State University. The chapel does not have a resident pastor or scheduled services. It serves simply as a place of reverence for students and faculty, giving them a space where they are free to express their religion in their own way.&nbsp; The chapel itself was constructed in 1965, from the remains of another prominent campus building. The Old Main dormitory was the first building on the Mississippi State University campus. It was built in 1879 and was later expanded to accommodate more residents. At its largest, it was the biggest dormitory in the United States and could hold 1000 residents. However, the building was destroyed by a fire in 1959. This fire also took the life of a university student, prompting university president Ben Hilbun to announce the use of the remaining bricks in the construction of a chapel. The chapel was dedicated in 1965 and included a carillon, another name for a bell tower. This carillon was the idea of alumni George D. Perry, who donated $75,000 to ensure the completion of the chapel and tower. The carillon contained 183 bells that chimed hourly until the 1990s. This chiming resumed in 2002 after the tower's structure was fortified.

The Chapel of Memories is a place of reflection and celebration for generations of Mississippi State students and alumni, thousands of which have chosen this venue for their weddings. The Chapel of Memories was built from the bricks of the Old Main dormitory, the first building on campus that operated from 1879 till its destruction by an accidental fire in 1959. The chapel was completed in 1965. The 183 bells of the carillon provide one of the most memorable sounds on campus. This bell tower is also made of bricks recovered from the fire of 1959, and its construction was made possible by a gift from alumni George D. Perry.  

MSU Chapel of Memories

Ulysses Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio on April 27, 1822, the first of six surviving children born to Jesse and Hannah Grant. The future president's father was a tanner and merchant. Grant may be best-known for his leadership as an officer in the Civil War, something that he held in common with previous generations as his grandfather served during the American Revolution in the Battle of Bunker Hill and his great-grandfather served in the French and Indian War. After the Civil War ended, Grant served as Andrew Johnson’s Secretary of War. In the presidential election of 1868, Grant was nominated for the presidency by the Republican Party with running mate Schuyler Colfax, the current Speaker of the House. His opponent in the general election was Democratic Governor Horaito Seymour from New York along with his running mate Senator Francis Blair Jr. of Missouri. Grant and Colfax won the election with 214 electoral votes to Seymour/Blair Jr.‘s count of 80.During Grant’s presidency, he was a supporter of citizenship rights for African Americans. The president joined Republican stalwarts in supporting the right of African Americans to serve in public office and on juries in Washington D.C. In 1870, Grant helped create the U.S. Justice Department as a way forward to enforcing Reconstruction. With the passing of the Enforcement Acts, Grant also worked to end the influence of the Ku Klux Klan. However, as the nation gradually ended their support of Reconstruction, the violence and fraud perpetrated by the Klan were no longer required for wealthy white landowners to regain their control of political and economic life in the southern United States.Grant’s presidency faced opposition for the failure of Grant's cabinet members. In addition to several corruption scandals involving high-ranking officials, Grant faced growing opposition among some members of the Republican Party who hoped to "move past" Reconstruction and its commitment to citizenship rights for formerly enslaved persons. During his Presidency, Grant signed and supported the Civil Rights Act of 1875, but neither the President nor the Justice Department provided resources needed for enforcement of the law, which was soon declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court for infringing on the rights of white business owners. Grant served as President from 1869 to 1877 and died in 1885 from cancer. Grant's tomb in Riverside Park is the largest mausoleum in the United States. In addition to that memorial, this presidential library preserves the memory of the life of Grant with exhibits and library collections, including the personal papers of Ulysses S. Grant.

Established in 2012, this presidential library offers exhibits and records related to the life and career of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, as well as the history of his years in office. Similar to other Presidential libraries, the organization is operated through private support and the National Archives. The Library includes artifacts, research collections, and personal effects that were owned by Grant and members of his family. This presidential library was opened on the 50th anniversary of the funding of the Ulysses S. Grant Association and receives administrative support from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. In addition to private donors, the library has received federal support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and other entities.

Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library 

The oldest academic building on campus, the Industrial Education Building is often referred to as the "Twin Towers Building" due to the&nbsp;two historic towers that define the building's structure.&nbsp;As an agricultural college, the building was one of the anchors of the campus, with laboratories studying the industrial uses of cotton and ways to promote crop development. The&nbsp;Seed Technology Lab was also one of the university's most important contributions. Today, as the college focuses more on&nbsp;preparing a modern labor force, the building continues to serve a vital function as the home of the&nbsp;Instructional Systems and Workforce Development Department. The building was originally constructed in 1900 and known as the Textile Building. This is because it was first used to house the textile school of the institution then known as the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, which would grow to be known as Mississippi State University. The building eventually became known as the Textile and Seed Building, but overall, the textile school was short-lived. The textile school shut down in 1914 due to low enrollment, dismantling its machinery and leaving the building open for other uses.&nbsp; The building itself is architecturally significant. Built in the Mission Style, it also possesses some Italianate features. With two distinct towers and three exterior arches, the building's unique style sets it apart from other campus structures. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The history of the building also makes it a monument to industrialization in the area, showcasing the growth of the community in manufacturing and production. With its history of research on cotton production and usage, the building made a large impact on agriculture in the surrounding areas, impacting the community in ways still seen today.

The Industrial Education Building is the oldest academic building on the Mississippi State University campus. Built in 1900, the building was originally known as the Textile Building at the time of its construction. It was built as part of the campus of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, an institution that would later grow into Mississippi State University. The building was later known as the Textile and Seed Building before the textile college closed, opening the building for new uses. Today, it is home to the Instructional Systems and Workforce Development Department. 

Downtown Starkville to Mississippi State University Walking Tour

Bust of Stephen D. Lee

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information