Dumpster Diving

This month I want to relate a little story of archival salvation. It was a normal day of processing and describing when I received a phone call from Peabody General Contactor’s Inc. in Austin, TX. What can I do to help contractors in Texas? As it turned out, they would help me.  In the dumpster behind their office someone had tossed garbage bags of stuff, along with old, broken furniture.  When the employees took a closer look they noticed old photographs and letter from Sunflower and Indianola, MS.  These materials dated from the late 1920’s to the 1970’s.  Now, these wonderful people could have just said, huh, and walked away, but no. They researched Sunflower County, found the Sunflower County History Room and Archive and called me to ask if I wanted the materials.  Of course I said yes, and that the library system would reimburse them for shipping. Less than two weeks later, I had a stinky box of letters, photos and miscellaneous paperwork, and they refused the reimbursement!  So, just a quick tale of discovery, recovery and a reminder to everyone that one person’s trash is a whole county’s treasure! 

The materials belonged to Mattie Mae Thomas.  She lived in Sunflower and Indianola, MS with her father Tillman T. Thomas. She had three brothers, Earl, Charles and Billy Thomas; all graduated from Indianola High School and became reputable community members in Mississippi and Tennessee.

Below are some of the images found in a photo album created by Mattie Mae Thomas in 1929. She was 15 years old. The photos were taken from the Kodak camera she received for that Christmas.  

Enjoy!

try and try again

So, try and try again.



That's my theme for this month, both professionally and personally. I always have these great ideas running around in my head and then when I try to put ideas to life, I'm either way off or can't pin it down. Anyhow, back to the present, see, bright and shiny… squirrel… they all apply to me. Nevertheless, History's Treasures is an idea I had back in 2008 when I first came to the Mississippi Delta and the Sunflower County Library System. Before moving here, I had no idea of what an impact this little part of the country had on the whole nation. The Mississippi Delta has influenced music, politics, economics, and traditions of the entire nation and in some instances the world. Pretty nutty considering it is now an area of poverty, decline and continued segregation. But seeing that I’m into history and all, I find it just like the physical dirt it is located on, silty, loamy with fertile layers of stories, experiences and records that create the unique narrative of the Mississippi Delta. I wanted to share these treasures of conversations I was having and materials I was discovering as I processed the History Room. Finding things like a Parchman Prison covered wagon lamp or a 1930’s medical syringe, strange and wonderful objects created or used here in Sunflower County. Or speaking with a WWII vet who had been shot down and had to hike out of the Himalayas. So, with baby steps on the first Monday of the month I will introduce a new treasure from the Sunflower History Room and Archive. I will also try and help our community by letting readers know when and where there will be events, workshops and conferences that relate to Sunflower County history. And of course, I will let the readers know changes in the History Rooms hours and my schedule. Cause those who know me, know if I have a chance to speak at a conference or learn more about historical stewardship, I’m there! So, check back and see what the intriguing item for July will be, what awesome adventure I’m off too and what enchanting event to include on your calendar!






Jennifer

welcome

Welcome to the Sunflower County History Room's Tresaure Blog!

This blog is to present various materials from the Sunflower County History Room. I will also have updates on activities, events, and just neat stuff about history that's going on in the community. So, check in periodically and learn a little something about Sunflower County history!