Ridgeland’s History Event
A CELEBRATION OF RIDGELAND’S HISTORY
RIDGELAND, MISS – The Ridgeland Historical Society, the Historical Committee, City officials, and staff hosted a special event to highlight and celebrate Ridgeland’s history. During the early years, Ridgeland was a headquarters in war, a haven in peace, and a center for trade and travel with a long and rich history of those who first settled in the area. Telling Ridgeland’s Story was the theme of today’s event as the team honored several of Ridgeland’s first families and unveiled the first of many History Trail markers.
The program included special guest, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann; remarks from Mayor Gene McGee and Chris Chapman of Visit Ridgeland; presentations by Nancy Batson and Jim Woodrick of the Historical Society; special recognition for the descendants of a number of the first families, and the unveiling and ribbon cutting of the first marker on the Ridgeland Histoy Trail located at City Hall.
The Historical Society of Ridgeland, with assistance from the Ridgeland Tourism Commission and City staff, has collaborated on the development of the Ridgeland History Trail. The History Trail will consist of interpretive wayside exhibits highlighting the culture and history of Ridgeland. It will utilize the existing multi-use recreational trail system, as well as additional off-trail sites. Once completed, there will be twenty-five sign locations based in part on the Ridgeland History Map and Guide.
Funding for the History Trail comes from a sponsorship by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission. Once the project is complete, it is hoped that additional signs will be placed by private sponsors and incorporated into the existing History Trail. Applications for additional waysides will be approved by the City.
The 2023 First Families of Ridgeland Exhibit is a wonderful new addition to the History Room that was established when the new City Hall was opened in 2021.
The past is a significant part of what makes the community what it is today. This room, located on the left side of the main entrance, contains artifacts, photos, and written histories of the area.
The families included in the First Families of Ridgeland 2023 Exhibit are as follows:
- The Harris, Cummings & Gilbert Families
- The Blough, Stewart, Henderson, & Jenkins Families
- Families occupying the Clifton Ash Plantation now named Hillview – Murrell, Clifton, Ash,
- Tucker, Vaughn, and Richardson
- The Carr Family
- The Ridgeway & Butler Families
- The Coziar Family
- The Sturdivant Family
“Ridgeland was incorporated as a village on December 29, 1899, after the first families settled in the area. These families are important to our history, and they have left us with a heritage we can be proud of. We honor those who have made Ridgeland a special place to live and work, and we believe that a vital part of being a community is remembering our heritage and being thankful for those who took the time to plan for the future of our great City,” stated Mayor Gene McGee.
This exhibit is just the beginning – we are hopeful more families will add their stories in the future.
