Helping Preserve History Not An Old Story For FEMA
Release Date: August 17, 2006
Release Number: 1604-423
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Providing funding to return historic sites to pre-hurricane condition and providing expertise on maintaining structural integrity of historic places are ways the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) do their part to preserve Mississippi history.
To date, FEMA has obligated nearly $40 million for historic site assistance statewide. Nearly half of that total is committed to Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties. More than 12,000 private structures and public buildings have been surveyed for possible assistance in restoration.
More than $1.5 million is committed to the restoration of the Jefferson Davis home at Beauvoir, and $70,000 for needed repairs of the Biloxi Lighthouse. Numerous local historically significant churches, public buildings and private historic homes also receive assistance.
"It's one of our goals through the public assistance process to make sure that the historic landmarks, like the Biloxi Lighthouse, remain a proud symbol for all Mississippians," said Mike Womack, MEMA Interim Director. "These symbols speak to our history, culture and spirit as Mississippians."
Another prime target for FEMA's help is the Old Spanish Fort in Pascagoula , Miss. , one of a dwindling number of structures along the Gulf Coast representing the historic legacy of the region that survived the disastrous impact of Hurricane Katrina.
The lone remaining building at the fort is considered by local historians to be the oldest structure in the Mississippi Valley and a prime link to the earliest European settlers of the region. FEMA has committed nearly $50,000 for repairs, and agency structural engineers and archeologists have also provided expert advice to help maintain the forts long-term availability to the public.
The building, nestled in a protected cove less than three miles up the Singing River from the Gulf of Mexico, was perhaps a carpentry shop that doubled as a residence on the estate of French-Canadian Joseph Simon dit La Pointe. Simon was a 12 year old boy when he arrived on the Mississippi coast with Pierre LeMoyne Sieur d'Iberville in 1699. About 1715 La Pointe petitioned the King of France for land grants in the area of the present day cities of Mobile and Pascagoula .
"It is vital to the recovery process that we help wherever we can to preserve cultural heritage," said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi disaster recovery. "More than 700 state and national historic sites were completely destroyed by Katrina."
FEMA experts also evaluate local cultural resources for their historic significance and determine their potential for eligibility for listing in the National Historic Register. This includes the buildings on the University of Southern Mississippi campus, which many long-time residents remember as the Gulf Park College . FEMA will obligate $6 million for the preservation of the three main buildings on the campus.
FEMA is committed to ensuring that future storms don't have as devastating an impact on the treasures of Mississippi 's past. The agency's environmental and historic preservation experts will be collaborating for years to come with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation in mitigating historic sites for future generations.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003 .
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Aug-2006 14:15:19