Behind the Big House celebrates 12th year
The 12th Behind the Big House event in Holly Springs was celebrated at the Hugh Craft House, despite rain that stopped the parade Thursday April 3.
The first Behind the Big House program took place in 2012, and has run uninterrupted excepting two years during the COVID Pandemic, according to Sally Godard.
This year's program is the second managed by the Rosa Foundation organizers Sally Godard and Ron Olisar.
Even though the Thursday April 3 event for school children was cancelled due to schools being closed because of a tornado in the area, the event continued by hosting local residents and a third-generation family from Michigan with roots in Marshall County, Godard said.
The Friday April 4 schedule drew students from the Holly Springs School District, Heritage Christian Academy, Marshall Academy and Rust College entertaining fourth through 12th grade students and five college students.
“Students of all ages are interested, curious, and enthusiastic, and we improve every year in our efforts to bring an experience that fits with their developmental levels,” Godard said. “Students were engaged most with the stations that offer processes they can watch, things to touch or taste, and interpreters who invite them into conversation about what they are seeing. Everyone has favorites.”
Jordan Wimby, of Chicago, prepared rabbit stew over a campfire. Beverly Bevel presented each student with a boll of cotton. Students experimented with removing the cottonseeds.
“This gave them a challenge as they were talking about historic objects – bed warmers, portable coal heaters, chamber pots, irons and butter churns,” Godard said. “Some students took the cotton seed home to plant.”
Dr. Sherna Jones and two six grade girls demonstrated hand quilting technique.
Older students appreciated the genealogy group which included interactive activities.
There were 240 staff and students on the tour Friday. An additional 80 scouts and leaders came Saturday, Godard said.
Wednesday night a welcoming reception hosted by Gwen Wyatt at the Depot in honor of the late David Person, former owner of Burton Place, drew 60 of 81 registrants, to a “soul supper” provided by Percy Stephenson and family. Guests visited the “Colored Waiting Room” and learned the history of the railroad from tour guide Rhondalyn Peairs.
More activities took place Sunday with 25 individuals arriving by bus from Ole Miss. Also, Sunday, Eboni Joi performed a dramatic reading of the poem, “The Negro Mother,” written in the 1930s by Langston Hughes.
Visitors from Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington attended the event.
In summary, Godard said, “Our individual, family, and community identities are based in our histories. Knowing our full history helps us to understand our present situation and to work toward a positive future. Our ancestors brought skills and knowledge with them to a new country, survived and persevered in very difficult circumstances, gained experience and blazed new trails in education in careers, allowing us to carry a sense of pride and inspiration for our own life journeys.
“Working together we bring an inclusive history of northern Mississippi during the time of slavery to our community and state, sharing meals, exchanging ideas and perspectives, and interacting with the public in a way that is respectful and historically accurate.
“While the history and legacy of slavery is a difficult aspect of American History, we believe it can be addressed honestly and openly without shame, enabling us to work together to move forward.”