Historical Society Continues to Grow its Offerings in Lafayette County
Roots of the Society
In the heart of Oxford, the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogical Society continues to enrich local history by preserving, cataloging, and providing access to unique historical records and relics. Dating back to 1967, the society began as the “Skipwith Society” before evolving into its current form.
Expanding the Collection
As of now, the society maintains a collection that exceeds 2,000 books, numerous publications, marriage licenses and records dating back to the 1840s, and more. Many of these documents and artifacts remain undigitized and unique in their availability. Commenting on this, Max Hipp, the society’s president, stressed the value of hard-copy documents and out-of-print books.
Efforts to Become More Researcher-Friendly
The team at the society has been working hard to enhance the accessibility and presentation of their collection. Large-scale cataloging and inventorying efforts have ensured that hundreds of publications, maps, books, and family records are systematically arranged and ready for researchers. With the help of its dedicated staff of volunteers, they aspire to provide a better experience to all who wish to delve into the history of Lafayette County.
The Society’s Digital Footprint
The society has revamped its website and is collaborating with the Heritage Foundation and the Lafayette County Digital Museum. These two websites contain stories, photos, and videos that throw light on the county’s rich past and the people who have contributed to it. A significant part of their current effort involves further improving these websites and merging them.’
Programs and Collaboration
Along with maintaining and improving its collection, the society also offers programs of interest to its members. These include presenting information about the genealogical research process, storage methods, and various aspects of local history. The society also intends to collaborate further with community institutions, like the Lafayette-Oxford library and University of Mississippi Library Special Collections, to leave more meaningful impressions on society.
Looking Ahead
President Max Hipp emphasized His excitement for the future of the society, explaining that they are looking to improve the presentation of their holdings and make some resources available online for the first time. The society aims to publicize what they can offer for genealogical and historical research in Oxford.
“Our future, like so many volunteer organizations, will depend on the interest of future volunteers, along with any technical abilities to keep our offerings up to date and relevant to researchers,” Hipp added.
