I was history when history wasn’t cool

Published 4:48 am Saturday, February 7, 2026

By Anne McKee

Come hear the story of Susie Glover at the Meridian Railroad Museum Saturday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. Photo courtesy of Anne McKee

I was one of those little kids who followed grandma around pleading. “Grandma tell me about old times.”

But she wasn’t into it, not like me.

I remember one time she said, “I am going to tell you the name of your great, great grandfather.”

Wow, I was overwhelmed to get that bit of family history.

She said, “He was Adam Calvert.”

And that was it. I mean I grabbed my little notebook and scratched on a piece of paper,

A.D.A. M. C.A.L.V.E.R.T.

But who was Adam Calvert?

And I didn’t know just who Adam Calvert was until I had two kids of my own and I admit neither of them were into family history. But by this time in my life, I had moved on. Oh yes, I still followed family history but I was now following any tiny bit of history that was available.

Finally, the History Channel came my way. It appeared on Channel 11 once a week as a documentary. I actually planned my entire week around the TV program. I mean I made supper earlier, did the laundry on a different day.

You get my drift?

So, one time, on my special day, the youngest son walked through the TV room and stopped to see just what I was watching so intently. On that day, the program was about the Egyptians and their burial practices, like mummification and how their organs were packed into canopic jars.

My son stopped at that very moment and looked directly at my starry-eyed self and said, “You really are weird.”

Oh, I suppose I am weird though in a historic-type way. I mean I screamed when the historic statues were pulled down across the country.

And then in 2006 I went sort of history-nutty. That’s right with my two mentors, Mr. Walton Moore and Mr. Ward Calhoun, we first began Rose Hill Cemetery Tour research. These two men were my inspiration and together, we pulled out amazing history. It was in 2008 when the first cemetery tour opened to the public.

I remember on that day as the entire company of storytellers stood to present, people were lined-down Eighth Street for two long blocks. We were overwhelmed.

You see we had planned for around 100 attendees, but the media estimated 4,000 were there. I believe it. We didn’t leave the cemetery until after 2 a.m.

Now that’s a little weird, just as my son had said.

Here we are in 2026, and I am still at it. As I learn history, I want to tell it all.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 28, from noon to 4 p.m., starting at Dumont Plaza.

This is Rose Hill Storytellers Fourth Downtown History Walk (or maybe five). We were rained-out for one year.

But this year, we have an America 250 theme.

So, what was going on in the Meridian area 250 years ago? It was the Choctaw Nation and the great Chief Pushmataha’s governing village was only 15 minutes from downtown Meridian. It was named Coosa.

This year’s tour will have for the first time: The Lady of the Grand Opera House, the Key Brothers, returning will be Jimmie Rodgers and as well the Stage 2 students will portray the 1906 Cyclone which destroyed the entire business district located on Front Street.

But today, Feb. 7, at Meridian Railroad Museum, come see “Who Is Susie Glover.” This short play is about a woman who became a Meridian celebrity. This is our third year to present her life story as the railroad museum’s Black History Month’s celebration.

Last year, we were featured by Howard Ballou, WLBT-TV in Jackson for their Black History Month celebration.

Come and join these two history events with me and become a “history nut.”

What: Who Is Susie Glover play presentation

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Meridian Railroad Museum, 1805 Front Street

Admission is $5 for adults and kids are free.

Anne McKee is director at Meridian Railroad Museum.