Visit Mississippi has unveiled a new marker on the Mississippi Writers Trail in honor of writer and historian Patti Carr Black. The ceremony took place at the Old Capitol building, with speeches from Katie Blount, Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Malcolm White, former Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, among others.
Patti Carr Black was born in 1934 in Sumner and studied at Mississippi University for Women and Emory University. She served as director of the former Old Capitol Museum and held a leadership role at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Her work as a cultural historian is considered essential for understanding Mississippi’s arts and literature. Her notable publications include “Art in Mississippi: 1790 – 1980,” which offers an extensive overview of the state’s visual arts scene. Additionally, she wrote about artist Walter Anderson, writer Eudora Welty, other creative figures from Mississippi, and co-authored “Touring Literary Mississippi” with Marion Barnwell.
In 1972, Black founded the Mississippi Folklife Program to document the state’s diverse cultural traditions. Her contributions have been recognized with several awards such as a Governor’s Award from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Noel Polk Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.
Rochelle Hicks, Visit Mississippi Director stated: “The Mississippi Writers Trail provides visitors with a journey through the soul of our state, told by the voices who know it best. Honoring Patti Carr Black is a special addition to this cultural trail because her efforts and words have long painted the Mississippi I know and love…I’m proud that visitors from around the world will now discover her story.”
The initiative celebrates significant writers from across Mississipi by marking important sites related to their lives such as birthplaces or homes. This effort aims to provide visitors with insight into these writers’ legacies.
Mississippi promotes itself as “The Hospitality State” known for its musical heritage. Visit Mississippi operates under the umbrella of The Hospitality State’s official destination marketing organization working towards enhancing tourism through global marketing strategies.
For further details about visiting opportunities or exploring more on this literary trail visit their official website.
