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Warren County has one of only two
historic archaeological sites in Mississippi
from the French and Indian period that have been designated National Historic
Landmarks.
Fort St. Pierre
is the only surviving French Colonial Fort on the Gulf
Coast and it was an integral part of the huge French
empire in North America.
Very little of that vast empire survives today.
Fort St. Pierre was the site of the first
French presence in the Gulf Region.
The Fort St. Pierre Tercentennial Commission has been
tasked by the City of
Vicksburg to raise the level of awareness of the public
about the importance of this
site as well as the French episode in our heritage.
The Tercentennial begs for the publication of more
information for public
dissemination and other educational purposes. A book
written especially for the
layman could summarize the highlights of the
archaeological record, historic
and archival documentation and the cultural
anthropological perspectives on the
subject.
Another critical product of the Tercentenary celebration
could be a teacher’s guide
that summarizes the story for use in the classrooms of
our primary and secondary
schools. It has been suggested that a series of brief
newspaper articles and public
lectures could be prepared for the general public as the
target audience.
The success of the Mobile, Biloxi and Natchez planning
commissions are models for
the Ft. St. Pierre commemoration. The diversity of
Tercentenary events that were
successfully implemented in those communities could be
selectively considered.
A two-tiered planning commission was implemented in all
three cases. A small but
efficient executive committee could be complemented by a
broader more inclusive
set of volunteer subcommittees with formal goals subject
to approval by the
executive committee.
The potential goal for an outdoor
public park/picnic area with outdoor weather-proof
interpretive exhibits commemorating both Ft. St. Pierre
and other Civil War
fortifications in the immediate area might be
considered.
The location of that part of the site on state land and
it’s immediate proximity to
Mississippi Highway 3 are potential assets.
The planning commissions of Mobile, Biloxi and Natchez
developed an open view
of potential subcommittees and events appropriate for
their Tercentenaries. The
above thoughts are just a few thoughts that immediately
come to mind.
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