Mississippi Writers Trail

The Mississippi Writers Trail is a series of historical markers which celebrate the literary, social, historical, and cultural contributions of Mississippi's most acclaimed and influential writers. An advisory committee comprised of state cultural agencies oversees the process of installing historical markers in places of significance to an author's life. To emphasize the literary focus of the trail, the markers are cast in the shape of an open book and display information about the author's life with the goal of educating the public about the legacy of Mississippi writers.

Overview

The Mississippi Writers Trail debuted on the State Capitol grounds in Jackson, Mississippi at the 2018 Mississippi Book Festival with an unveiling of two marker prototypes honoring Eudora Welty and Jesmyn Ward, connecting the past and present contributions of Mississippi authors.[1][2] The program runs as an unfunded mandate which means these literary markers are produced and installed as funding becomes available.[3]

Initial support from a Statehood Grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities was key for installing the first phase of markers for the Trail.[4] The Writers Trail has received additional support from the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area,[5] the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, and the City of Clarksdale, Mississippi[6] to install markers for authors located within the service area of each organization.

Selection and placement process

The Mississippi Writers Trail Advisory Committee, composed of many state cultural institutions, selects a group of literary scholars to identify potential authors for inclusion in the Writers Trail and to draft the text for each marker. Scholars make recommendations for marker placement, but locations are determined in partnership with the local community. Living authors and surviving families are also consulted during the drafting of the marker text and the selection of the location for Writers Trail markers.[7]

Mississippi Writers Trail Advisory Committee

Mississippi Writers Trail markers
Writer Marker Location City Marker Photo Date of Installation
Margaret Walker Alexander Margaret Walker Center, Jackson State University Jackson, MS
July 8, 2019
William Faulkner Rowan Oak, Faulkner Home and Museum Oxford, MS
October 10, 2019
Shelby Foote E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center Greenville, MS October 18, 2019
Walker Percy E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center Greenville, MS
October 18, 2019
Elizabeth Spencer Merrill Museum Carrollton, MS October 5, 2019
Ida B. Wells Rust College Holly Springs, MS November 7, 2019
Eudora Welty Eudora Welty House and Garden Jackson, MS September 10, 2018
Tennessee Williams Cutrer Mansion Clarksdale, MS October 17, 2019
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References
  1. "First Chapter of Mississippi Writers Trail Begins - MDA". Mississippi Development Authority. 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  2. "The Eudora Welty Foundation » Dedication of Welty Marker on Mississippi Writers Trail To Feature NEH Chair Jon Peede". Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  3. Mitchell, Jerry. "Mississippi literary trail unmarked". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  4. "NEH Creates "Statehood Grants" of up to $30,000 for Humanities Projects Celebrating State History". National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  5. staffreport (2019-07-02). "2019 Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area Grants Announced". News and Events. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  6. "27th Annual Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival to Unveil Mississippi Writers Trail Marker at Cutrer Mansion on October 17". News-Template. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  7. "Mississippi Writers Trail". Mississippi Arts Commission. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
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