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On February 7, 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Columbus, Mississippi one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. “Columbus will undoubtedly surprise you with its diverse and abundant cultural resources,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. “As one of the best kept secrets in the state of Mississippi, it is an unrivaled destination for anyone who enjoys Southern architecture, savors down-home cooking, and seeks an escape to the great outdoors.” 

An unrivaled destination for Southern architecture and down-home cooking

The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Columbus, Mississippi one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The birthplace of prize-winning playwright, Tennessee Williams, Columbus is home to three National Register Historic Districts that boast an impressive 676 properties.

Columbus, Mississippi is the birthplace of Pulitzer Prize winning author, Tennessee Williams

The Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center is the first home of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams. The author made history with well-known plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Glass Menagerie.

James Tsismanakis of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau is among a select group of participants attending an upcoming program designed for community leaders in positions to influence preservation activities in their states, regions, towns and neighborhoods. The week-long program takes place June 20-27 in Deadwood, S.D. In addition to classroom sessions, participants will study issues related to locations in the Deadwood community and develop proposals to outline optimal uses for buildings and contribute to the vitality of that community.

The application process is selective, Tsismanakis said. To be exact, 30 people are invited to go, and the application pool is three times as large.

“I’m so excited that I’m now approved to go,” he said on Tuesday. “It’s considered one of the premiere leadership training courses in the preservation world.”

He said he was “a perfect match” with the program. “I’ve always had a passion for old homes and preservation,” he said, but he had never been given a detailed education in preservation. Plus, Columbus has several things worthy of preservation, such as its antebellum homes and historic downtown area.

“I hope to come back and just be able to understand preservation better, be able to make better long-term decisions for the Columbus community and better work with all the preservation agencies throughout the state and throughout the country,” Tsismanakis said.

The workshop is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in partnership with the City of Deadwood and the South Dakota State Historical Society and others. Preservation Leadership Training emphasizes the most up-to-date, effective preservation techniques, including training in current preservation practices, issues and action strategies.

Headquartered in Washington, NTHP is a nonprofit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy places of historical importance. NTHP helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability.

For more information visit www.PreservationNation.org.

Columbus, Mississippi is the home to Decoration Day, a forerunner of today's Memorial Day Observance

Columbus, Mississippi, served as a hospital town during the American Civil War. While other cities were ravaged during the Civil War, Columbus' service to preserving life aided in the preservation of its antebellum and Victorian homes. While many of the casualties from strategic battles, such as Shiloh, were brought to Columbus for recovery, thousands suffered mortal wounds and were buried in the town's historic Friendship Cemetery.

Experience 19th Century Living in Columbus, Mississippi

Columbus, Mississippi boasts three National Register Districts with around 676 properties. The area also boasts one of the greatest concentrations of nineteenth-century residential structures in the state, a virtually complete record of American building styles from the 1820s through the 1900s. Additionally, there are significant examples of the adaptations and combinations of architectural designs which are unique to Columbus, known as "Columbus Eclectic".