Black History Month Program

The Northeast Mississippi Historical and Genealogical Society and the Lee County Library, Tupelo, MS are pleased to announce that National Park Ranger Tom Parson will present a program on "African Americans in Corinth During the Civil War". Tom Parson is a Park Ranger for the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center and Shiloh National Military Park. The program is scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at the Helen Foster Auditorium, Lee County Library, 219 North Madison St., Tupelo, MS. This program, in observation of Black History Month, will include the role of slaves and freedmen in constructing the earthworks around Corinth, the establishment of the Corinth Contraband Camp, the visit by General Lorenzo Thomas in May 1863 and his speech concering the recruitment of black soldiers, the recruitment and organization of the 1st and 2nd Alabama Infantry of African Descent (later known as the 55th and 110th United States Colored Troops), the closing of the camp in 1864. Ranger Parson will also discuss the current preservation efforts at the site of the camp. The public is cordially invited to attend. For additional information, call Susie Dent, 662-844-2307.