Mississippi Historical Society Honors Bill Sutton and Coahoma Collective

In a recently held annual meeting, The Mississippi Historical Society recognized the commendable contributors to the preservation and study of Mississippi history. Top on the list were Bill Sutton, from Clarksdale, and the Coahoma Collective.

Bill Sutton’s Noteworthy Contribution to Mississippi History

The Journal of Mississippi History Article of the Year Award was given to William R. Sutton, fondly known as Bill Sutton. His award-winning article, “The Friars Point Coup and Aftermath: Historical Memory and Personal Character in the Era of Redemption,” offers an in-depth examination of racial violence during the Reconstruction period in a small Mississippi town.

Awards of Merit to Coahoma Collective and Others

Among the recipients of the Awards of Merit were the Coahoma Collective and StoryWorks. Their collaborative effort on a living history documentary play titled “Beneath an Unknown Sky” won them this honor. The production sheds light on the vital role of the Freedmen’s Bureau and Black leaders during Reconstruction.

Other recipients included Michael H. Logue for his book, Echoes from the Bluff, about the Vicksburg Campaign. MoreStory Monuments Project was recognized for acknowledging African American history at Mississippi University for Women. Rex Jones was awarded for creating two short films – Libation and Legislation: The Story of Mississippi’s Legislative Frat House and Steve Holland: Jesus Was a Democrat. The University of Mississippi Slavery Research Group were also in the spotlight for their research and teaching on the history of slavery and enslaved individuals in Oxford and at the University of Mississippi.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award, an annual tribute for commendable dedication in the field of history study and research, was presented to Charles Reagan Wilson, professor emeritus of history and Southern studies at the University of Mississippi. He held the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. chair of history and professor of Southern studies at the University of Mississippi, from where he retired in 2014, Devoting a major portion of his life to teaching, Wilson worked extensively with graduate students and assumed various pivotal roles including director of the Southern studies academic program from 1991 to 1998, and director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture from 1998 to 2007.

These honors highlight the substantial contributions made by historians, academics, and artists to the preservation and education of Mississippi’s vibrant and significant history. Their efforts help to ensure the state’s rich history is not only remembered but studied and appreciated by future generations.