Come one. Come all. It’s free. Come and discover many, many documented stories about those who came before us. Learn about the ones who suffered and survived when Mississippi first became a state, and Meridian was founded (Feb. 10, 1860) but most importantly, discover the who, when and why Meridian continues to thrive, step by step, breath by breath and heartbeat by heartbeat.

 

Assuredly, Meridian should have folded its doors many years ago, but like the title of Jack Shank’s book, “Meridian, A City That Would Not Die,” the city refused to expire to the grave. The spunk and courage of many God-fearing people kept the city alive.

 

The tour presents the stories about real treasures, the people who sometimes had more guts than anything else. The narratives will be presented in period costume by volunteers

 

Did you read that? We, the storytellers, are all volunteers, who love our city, and want to teach its true and correct history, especially for children.

 

It is actually a history event mingled with the arts of drama and storytelling. We are celebrating Meridian’s birthday. It has been a long time since Meridian celebrated its birthday.

 

So yes, Saturday, Feb. 22, is a treasure hunt. The way I see it, after experiencing the opportunity to hear Meridian stories of history, you will become so much richer, especially the children.

 

Did you know Meridian was at one time the state capital? Did you know the great Choctaw Chief Pushmataha’s governing village was located only 15 minutes from downtown Meridian? Did you know the last two men hanged in Mississippi took place at Lauderdale County Jail, and the Mississippi Governor at the time traversed  by train from Jackson to make certain the deed was lawful? Did you know a soldier, a local hero, buried in Meridian was a WWI Buffalo soldier? Did you know 90% of Meridian’s downtown industrial district was swept away in 1906 by a deadly tornado, and the mayor ‘s pet chickens were blown to 23rd Avenue without ruffling a feather? Have you heard the Union Hotel ghost’s stories?

 

And there is so much more.

 

Okay, I admit it. This event was my idea. The idea came to me after a recent September, Rose Hill Cemetery Costumed Tour, which was again a big success, for 18 years now. People are yearning for stories of our history. But because Rose Hill Company is a 501(c)3, we are guided to only tell stories about people buried in the cemetery.

 

I wanted to tell all of the Meridian area stories.

 

So in October, five years ago, I asked for a meeting with Craig Hitt at Meridian Community Development. I gave him the idea, and he was genuinely excited. With the City of Meridian, Rose Hill Storytellers have worked diligently to bring the event to the public.

 

Dear readers, please help spread the word about this event and bring the children, grandma, too! If we, as Meridianites, do not tell our story, correctly and honestly, who will? We need to make known the good, the strong, those who persevered, the ones who put their backs to the work with no expectation of recognition, the God-fearing and hardworking of Meridian’s story of history. Oh yes, we do have an overload of bad stuff, these days, but we must remember the good and teach it in order to reach those better days again.

Invitation to a Treasure Hunt

When: Saturday, February 22

Time: noon to 4 pm

Place: Downtown Meridian

Free event

Pickup tour maps at Dumont Plaza

 

Anne McKee is director of Meridian Downtown History Walk