Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Nancy Carpenter has been appointed to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. She was appointed by the state Senate by a vote of 52-0 after her confirmation hearing.
“It was very humbling to just be nominated,” Carpenter said. “It was such an honor to even be considered. I went to Jackson for the hearing and Sen. Terry Brown spoke on my behalf. I am serving with some people that have made great contributions to the State of Mississippi. One of the former board members is former governor William Winter. I am thrilled to have this opportunity.”
Carpenter was chosen to fill the seat of Martis D. Ramage, Jr., who died November 28, 2011 at his home in Tupelo.
“I try to help anyone from the area that gets appointed to a stated board,” Brown said. “I think Nancy will do a great job. She knows her way around Jackson through her work with the CVB. It’s a great thing to have someone from Lowndes County representing the state on the MDAH board.”
Carpenter, whose term recently expired on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission, was also appointed to the Civil Rights Museum Advisory Commission last year by then-governor Haley Barbour.
“This museum will represent the civil rights struggle across the state,” Carpenter said. “The museum is scheduled to open in 2017.”
Carpenter said the department is committed to the preservation of the state’s cultural resources.
“The MDAH is the second-oldest archives and history department in the state,” she said. “It is located in the Charlotte Capers Archives and History Building in Jackson. It oversees several things including the Eudora Welty House and the Old Capitol Museum. The MDAH will also be heavily involved with the construction of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Mississippi Museum of History. I am proud to not only represent the people of Columbus and Lowndes County by serving on this board, but I am honored to represent the First Congressional District and North Mississippi.”
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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