Mississippi Coast National Heritage Area | Winter 2022 Newsletter

welcome

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

As we close one year and begin the next, we look back on the growth and renewal of our heritage resources along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and look forward with anticipation of the many exciting projects and events to come in 2023.

We are pleased to have M/V Sailfish back on the water and reopened to the public. Be sure to book a ride or place a visit to one of our great museums at the top of your to-do list this year. Work on Oldfields, a home once lived in by Walter Anderson, has begun. You can walk through an exhibit at the Walter Anderson Museum about the home, its restoration, and some of the great artwork found there.

The new year also brings a collaborative effort of the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and Mississippi State University (MSU) to conduct an economic study on nature-based tourism in our Heritage Area. We will also work with the MSU Film Department to create a documentary to record and preserve our rich Vietnamese culture and heritage. The completed documentary will add to the dozens of fishermen, seafood dealers/ processors, and fisheries scientists/historians who have been interviewed to date to document the oral history of the seafood industry. You can read about this project on page 12 of this publication.

Inside this edition, we get a closer look inside Biloxi’s Mardi Gras Museum and the history of the beautiful costumes. As you get ready to celebrate the Mardi Gras season here on the Coast, remember to be safe and Laissez les bons temps rouler.

CORRECTION: In our fall publication, there was an oversight in acknowledging photo credit to Andrew Hill Photography for the beautiful picture on page 31, which was part of the “It Takes Two” article.

MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES

Joe Spraggins, Executive Director

Rhonda Price, MS Coast NHA Director

Andrew Barrett, Heritage Coordinator

Jeff Rosenberg, Heritage Coordinator

RoxAnn Wicker, Communications Coordinator

Joyce Hart, Administrative Assistant

Marie Lewis, Administrative Assistant

U.S. SENATORS

Cindy Hyde-Smith

702 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-5054

Roger Wicker

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-6253

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE (DISTRICT 4)

Steven Palazzo

2349 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-5772

Cover Photo: Decorating boats for various holidays is a long held Coast tradition. The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum's schooner, the Glenn L. Swetman, is decorated out for the annual Christmas on the Water boat parade in Biloxi. Turn to page 4 to learn more about how this event started.

Cover and Spread Photos

Rhonda Price MGCNHA Director

© August Taconi

MISSIONOur

ENHANCE, CONSERVE AND PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY to cultural resources of a unique and defined area through identification, interpretation and promotion.

CREATE AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES and serve as a source pf pride. Providing increased awareness and appreciation of their environment, history, culture, traditions and lifestyles.

PROMOTE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY of heritage resources that benefit the entire region and support the long term enhancement and conservation of those qualities that make the sis counties of the MS Coast NHA unique.

TELLING THE AREA’S NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT STORY to residents and visitors through activities and partnerships that celebrate the area’s unique history, people, traditions and landscapes. Your MS Coast NHA is a partnership of communities, businesses, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and individuals who values the region’s rich, cultural and environmental diversity, history, natural beauty and traditions.

HISTORICAL

Christmas at Charnley

BY JEFF ROSENBERG

Louis Sullivan specifically designed both the Charnley-Norwood House and his own adjacent home as retreats to escape Chicago’s brutal winters. He would travel south for the winter, usually beginning sometime in October and stay until mid-March, returning to Chicago intermittently as his architectural practice required. The following excerpt is one instance of Sullivan writing to a colleague regarding the Christmas of 1901 he and his wife Margaret would spend in Ocean Springs;

“I find your charming Xmas note upon my return from the South, where I spent the holidays with Margaret. All you say from the kindness of your heart, we reciprocate in full measure. We had a most delightful Xmas—lunch on the gallery, etc.—temp. 72—birds singing, waters sparkling—a perfect Ocean Springs day. Margaret remains in the south for a while, and I miss her terribly.”

Below is a 1923 Christmas card from Sullivan to his former draftsman, Homer Sailor. On the face of the card, Sullivan drew an image reminiscent of the florid architectural ornament that he was famous for producing. While the choice to adorn a card with a decoration of his own design is obvious, there may be a deeper meaning. From 1922 through 1923, at the request of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Burnham Library, Sullivan

-Excerpt of letter from Louis Sullivan to Lyndon Smith. January 11, 1902 worked on 20 sheets of drawings that would illustrate his system for posterity. Sullivan would certainly have been doing quite a bit of ornament drawing at the time. Christmas 1923 was the last Christmas Sullivan would live to see, as he would pass away on April 14, 1924. Shortly before his passing, printed copies of his book A System of Architectural Ornament, which contained the 20 sheets of drawings, were presented to a much-contented Sullivan. Notable in both the letter excerpt and the Christmas card is the styling by Sullivan of “Christmas” as “Xmas.” Webster’s Dictionary cites the first use of this term as originating in 1551, but the roots of the term are likely much older. The X in Xmas stands for the Greek letter chi that looks just like our X and is the first letter of Christ in Greek. For many centuries, this letter has been used as an abbreviation and a symbol for Christ.

Christmas card from Louis Sullivan to Homer Sailor. From the Sailor, Homer Grant, Papers, 1914-1993 collection of the Ryerson Burnham Archives at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Christmas on Water: The Coast Tradition Deck the Hulls

Story by roxann wicker

For as long as I can remember, I have attended Christmas on the Water in Biloxi. We would cuddle and huddle up at the Small Craft Harbor, watching the boats pass by with the sounds of our favorite Christmas songs radiating from carolers. Today, after 37 years, the tradition still lives on. Technology has made it a spectacle laden with LED lights, modern sound systems, and competition from even the saltiest dogs.

Biloxi Yacht Club and other mariners participate in this annual event for the community. This unique tradition boasts a fleet of boats ready to shine bright on the nightfall water. Their masts adorn hark angels, bows with dancing reindeer, and various Christmas lights decorate the stern of each vessel. It is a memorable example of a Christmas tradition along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In 1984, Mary Mahoney, who was the president-elect of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, dreamed of a unique nautical experience for the family to enjoy. This was the first time a woman held the post. Mahoney, along with other seafarers, created this event as an excuse to use their boats in the winter; Christmas on the Water was born.

Unfortunately, Mary Mahoney never lived to see the event come to life. She fell ill and died the following

year; however, the enthusiasm lived on through her friend, Rusty David. In 1986, David made the dream of Christmas on Water come to life and welcomed a parade of 28 boats. In 2004, the parade saw 86 boats on the water.

After Hurricane Katrina hit, participation in the annual event declined drastically. The event dwindled to eight boats entering the parade that year. David was not deterred, vowing to hold tradition at any cost, but he decided to get creative. An award for Best of Show included a $1,000 prize. The boats were judged on the light display, the theme of their vessel, the music they chose, and their overall spirited appearance. To conclude the event, onlookers enjoy grand finale fireworks show from professionals aboard a barge docked at Deer Island.

The legacy David worked tirelessly to create in Mary Mahoney’s honor was about to take another direct hit from participation. Hurricane Katrina was not the only event driving down momentum. In 2020, the COVID pandemic and, in 2021, a very active hurricane season dampened Christmas on the Water and its long-time excitement.

PHOTOS © AUGUST TACONI; OPPOSITE, BILOXI FREEZING AND PROCESSING

Like all things Biloxi and Coast-wide, our tenacious spirit kept the brightest night shining for brilliantly lit boats to cruise through the harbor spreading joy to all.

This event brings our community together and inspires families to get into the holiday spirit. This holiday season we have so much to be thankful for, especially Christmas traditions. The memories made at Christmas on the Water will sustain you and your family a lifetime of stories, smiles, laughter and happiness.

For more information on the boat parade, contact Rusty David at 228-617-3112.

This year’s event will be held on December 3 at 6 p.m. For best viewing, arrive at Biloxi Harbor.

NATURAL

Photo © Bob Effinger Natural

BY ANDREW BARRETT

As part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area’s Nature-Based Tourism effort, the Blueways program was established to provide explorers an unforgettable experience along miles of beaches, rivers, creeks and bayous. There are currently 15 blueways, or water trails, that have been mapped out for recreational canoers and kayakers within the six coastal counties in Mississippi. Here is a quick look at the Davis Bayou Blueway in Jackson County, Miss.

Davis Bayou, in the southwest corner of Jackson County, is an ideal blueway for the beginner or intermediate paddler. Developed by the National Park Service, National Park Foundation and Heritage Trails Partnership, and made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Davis Bayou Blueway offers an excellent example of a unique and productive ecosystem.

Paddlers will enjoy the estuarine setting of this brackish, tidal water environment with large areas of saltwatertolerant grasses and maritime forests that include loblolly pine, magnolia, live oak and yaupon holly. Wildlife on display includes a large variety of wading shore birds, eagles, osprey, in-shore fish species, such as speckled trout, red fish and flounder, and even the occasional dolphin or alligator can be spotted on an outing in this beautiful setting.

The Davis Bayou Blueway connects Davis, Stark and Halstead Bayous. The winding marshes are rich in plant and animal diversity, but also demonstrate the extremes of the salt marsh environment. The blueway is bordered by the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to the west and the Gulf Islands National Seashore Davis Bayou area to the north and east. The Gulf Islands National Seashore, operated by the National Park Service, offers camping areas, boat launches and restrooms for a reasonable fee and makes this blueway an excellent choice for paddlers that are looking for an overnight camping experience.

To learn more about the Davis Bayou Blueway, or the many other coastal Blueways Mississippi offers for paddlers, visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area’s website at msgulfcoastheritage.ms.gov/natural/blueways/. You will find descriptions for all the coastal blueways, as well as downloadable PDF maps, to help plan your adventure.

DAVIS BAYOU

INNOVATIVE

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art has been awarded $15,250 to fund an exhibit on the historic home ‘Oldfields’ documenting Walter Anderson’s time living and producing art at the home. Grant funded work also includes funding a research trip to Horn Island and an Architect in residence for the exhibit.

The John C. Robinson “Brown Condor” Association has been awarded $17,000.00 for the following projects at the Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum to create three (3) bronze busts for the Aviation Hall of Fame for Roscoe Turner, who was a barnstormer and acrobatic pilot who was famous for flying with a lion; Cora "Earsly" Taylor Barnette, the first African American female licensed pilot; and Apollo Astronaut Stuart Roosa. Additionally, the project will provide funding for dioramas of the three Gulf Coast bases, Keesler Air Force Base; Gulfport Army Airfield; and the Biloxi Coast Guard Station, and the purchase of five (5) 3-D printers for the S.T.E.M. program, including materials needed to complete the projects.

100 Men Hall has been awarded $25,000 for a series of events th at document the history of the hall. These events, along with the creation of a mural, and a video documen tary will highlight the construction of the hall in 1922, and the role it has played in the community over the past century.

Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum has been awarded $15,000 to relocate and reconstruct a portion of the Hurricane Camille memorial from the current location to the Museum grounds.

MS State University Television Center has been awarded $47,250 to develop a half-hour documentary that highlights Vietnamese American culture and the community’s struggles to maintain conhesiveness in the face of manmade and natural disasters, and the effects of upward mobility among those who live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

MSU UTV TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY ON VIETNAMESE CULTURE IN COASTAL MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi State University Television Center has been awarded a 2021-22 Heritage Grant from the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area to produce a 30-minute documentary on the rich cultural heritage of theVietnamese community along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The documentary will highlight the community’s displacement from their homeland during the Vietnam War starting in the 1970’s and follow their adaptation to a new environment and the challenges faced during this process, as well as the abundant contributions they have made to the fabric of our culture here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Vietnamese American Cultural Documentary project seeks to understand the impacts on the Vietnamese culture from arrival to present-day through interviews with Vietnamese Americans and subject matter experts, and through illustrated cutaway videos, photos and graphic assets. The documentary proposes to take an inside look at Vietnamese culture along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, highlighting its diversity and beauty.

First person accounts will be used to illustrate how the community formed as the first settlers came to the three coastal counties, how the seafood industry provided a way to generate and save wealth within the community, the impact of hurricanes and man-made disasters and the effects of upward mobility on the Vietnamese American community. Experts will provide background on the history of the Mississippi seafood industry and religious, economic and societal culture of Vietnamese Americans. Filmed in the three Mississippi coastal counties, this 30 minute documentary will be produced to air on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, streaming online delivery and video on demand.

COMMUNITY

TheofThread Life

Quilt Tales: Stories Through Fabric

STORY BY BERNADETTE CULLEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,WAVELAND GROUND ZERO

Waveland’s Ground Zero Hurricane Museum is proud to announce the new temporary exhibit, “Quilt Tales: Stories through Fabric.” The exhibit runs from October 7, 2022, through January 14, 2023, during regular museum hours Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Group tours are welcome by appointment only.

After realizing how popular our permanent display from the talented Solveig Wells was to our visitors, we thought this exhibit would be a welcomed exhibit. Mrs. Wells constructed 55 lap quilts from scraps she and her husband found all over Hancock County following Hurricane Katrina. Each quilt has a back story of hope, volunteerism and resiliency.

Years ago, Mr. Wells decided the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum was the perfect home to host his late wife’s fiber art. Thousands of visitors have enjoyed her beautiful work! We are forever grateful to the Wells family.

We have curated unique quilts sewn by quilters throughout Hancock County and Hattiesburg. It is easy to understand why we chose these quilts in our exhibit after you read their stories and see their quilts.

This is an exciting and informative multi-dimensional show. In addition, to sharing over 70 quilts, we are partnering with The Arts, Hancock County to host a Fiber Fest. The Arts, which hosted the sale on November 19, 2022, sold various fiber, fabric and wool.

In early November we hosted a Quilt Trail throughout Hancock County. We brainstormed the idea from barn quilt trails throughout the U.S. where visitors could visit 12 sites, take a picture to show they were there and return to the museum to be entered into a prize drawing.

Original 1 & 3 © Solveig Wells (Top) A Day in Waveland © Ida Macuick; (Bottom) Eye of the Storm © Mary Jo Kirsch Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Community | 17

PUSHARATAS: A Croatian Christmas Tradition

BY ROXANN RANKIN WICKER

Igrew up one street from my grandparents from birth until the age of 12. Around age 5, I would often pack my Strawberry Shortcake suitcase with only my finest attire and retreat to my grandmother’s house. It mattered not to me what time of the season it was; I was going to make my way to her house for a visit. Seems even then I was a gypsy traveler that marched to my own song and dance. In my Southern, sass mouth way, I would inform my mother that I had to go stay with Granny for a few days because we had things to do. Although, I will never know if Granny knew of my mental itinerary, but I had everything mentally planned for us during my hiatus. As I set out on my journey to the house on the hill, I could see her house from the end of my street, my mother would considerately phone my grandmother to say, “She’s on her way.” That information never deterred my Granny’s excitement to meet me outside on her inviting porch. Her hospitable welcome is a fond memory even to this day.

Every person has those childhood memories that never leave you during Christmas time. In my family, we would open one special gift on Christmas Eve. Our family traditions and entertainment ran deep while my grandmother was alive. Perhaps it was the free entertainment of my identical twin uncles disagreeing over who was going to brine the turkey correctly the night before Christmas. Maybe even my Granny humming to her Bing Crosby Christmas album that turned on her antique vinyl player while she cleaned crab shells for stuffing. But my most fond memory is the day before Christmas Eve when she and I would travel over the bridge to Biloxi for our annual ‘girls’ trip’ to downtown Biloxi.

Anyone who grew up in South Mississippi and would travel east to west had to cross the Ocean Springs –Biloxi Bridge on Highway 90. This connector was a fun ride to say the least. My Granny’s brand new 1982 Buick Park Avenue would look as if it were going to defy gravity at any moment. The advanced hydraulic system did not stand a chance. The old bridge had given way to an engineered bounce of road waves going to and from Back Bay Biloxi. Once we were on the other side of that automotive yoga, we arrived at the Ladies Auxiliary of the Slavonian Lodge annual pusharatas fundraiser sale.

Pusharata Photos © Slavic Ladies Auxillary

Since 1975, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Slavonian Lodge have been making their Croatian delicacy, pusharatas, have become a Gulf Coast tradition. These heavenly little mounds of small cake include chopped fruits and nuts, various spices, which are then deep fried and glazed to be boxed by the dozen. Today, the ladies make over 1,500 dozen, preordered pusharatas with a waiting list for those who do not pick up preorders. What began as a fundraiser has now turned into an opportunity to fund scholarships for family of members and contribute donations within their community.

Pusharata is a Yugoslavian pastry that is more like a small, round cake filled with fruit and covered with a powdered sugar glaze. They are a labor of love for the ladies of the auxiliary. All the fruits and nuts must be chopped by hand. A traditional pusharata calls for flour, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, milk, finely chopped apples, oranges, lemons and raisins. Once all the ingredients are combined to create a batter, they are scooped into balls and deep fried. When it is removed from the frying oil, it is bathed in the powdered sugar glaze and set on a rack for cooling. The Slavonian ladies look forward to this annual event, even staying up frying the little mouth-watering poppers until 3 a.m. No matter how exhausting the effort is, the tradition remains strong in this South Mississippi community.

The Slavic Ladies Auxiliary debuted their first cookbook in 1985 where tight lipped, traditional recipes and stories were introduced amongst the Gulf Coast community. Thankfully, after 37 years, a new set of rich, cultural traditional recipes are offered in their new cookbook which will feature generous contributions from members and friends. If you would like to purchase the new cookbook, please email Deb Stanovich at sla.biloxi.ms@gmail.com. The cost of the new cookbook is $20.

If you would like to enjoy this timeless tradition with your family, you can be added to the waiting list. You will need to include your name, phone number, email address and how many dozen you would like to purchase. Send to sla.biloxi.ms@gmail.com. The cost per dozen is $9.

While this beloved tradition continues here in South Mississippi, one thing remains, I will forever hold my memories of these delicious treats near and dear to my heart.

Photo © August Taconi

Place names are clues to cultural geography, representing what the person or persons who name them expect or aspire those places to live up to. Do the Main Streets of the Mississippi Gulf coast fit this bill, or what may make them stand out from the norm? We looked into communities that currently have a street named Main and attempted to examine what are the common themes or elements that contribute to the Main Streets of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JEFF ROSENBERG

The term “Main Street” represents much to the American consciousness, and with good reason. The name has come to denote the unique core of American small towns. In our decentralized era of the automobile and e-commerce, the term has strong associations with small, local, brick-and-mortar businesses. This association of the term even lead to the creation in 1980 of th e National Main Street Center by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which continues this day, working with a nationwide network of coordinating programs and local communities to address the myriad issues facing older and historic downtowns. But do streets with the title of “Main” live up to our collective perception? The best know Main Street in America is the totally fabricated Main Street, U.S.A., which can be found in Disney amusement par ks across the globe. So how exactly does the collective idea of Main Street live up to its realities?

While some fit the mold of what we might expect of a Main Street, others might surprise us by having unique variations, such as the fact that they are not all arterial roads in their community.

In total, nine gulf coast communities have a “Main Street.” While these streets all share similar elements, no two are alike. Their communities are Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Lucedale, Merrill, Moss Point, Perkinston, Picayune, Poplarville and St. Andrews.

CITIES WITH MAIN STREETS

Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Moss Point, Perkinston

Lucedale, Merill, Picayune, Poplarville, St. Andrews

Overall, the Coast’s main streets are linear, owing to their purpose (or perhaps aspiration) to be an arterial corridor. Demographically, Gulf Coast Main Streets include commercial properties, along with civic an d governmental institutions, but most of our Main Streets are residential.They are more likely today to be a cros s section of class and race, than 60 years ago.

This 1966 image depicts a marching band parading north on Main Street in Bay St. Louis.

There is at least one Thoroughfare in each of the six coastal counties that has been given the moniker of “Main Street.”

COUNTIES WITH THE MOST MAIN STREETS

STONE

GEORGE PEARL RIVER

HANCOCK

HARRISON

JACKSON

Credit: Courtesy of Juanita Luc Ward archives

The intersection of Main and 1st St in Perkinston.

Main Street in Bay St. Louis has remained the center of life in old town, connecting the mercantile businesses along the beach to Highway 90, where Main Street terminates. Perhaps indicative of the Bay’s Main Street origins being pre-1870, is the lack of intersection between the railroad and the street. Rail engineers laying out the tracks in the 1860s apparently found it more desirable to establish their route just south of the established Main Street.

Biloxi’s Main Street begins on Beach Boulevard and ends at Back Bay. In the 19th century it was the city center, with City Hall and market constructed directly in the middle of the street. In the mid-20th century, the center of the community shifted away from Main Street and the City Hall building would be demolished in 1966.

Lucedale’s Main Street, along with Merrill Main Street, are unique in that they are the only two Main Streets on the coast that are oriented true east to west. Both have close associations with the railroad. While Lucedale was incorporated in 1903, Main Street’s origin begins a few years earlier in the 1890s when the railroad came through the area, and Main Street began at the rail line and extended west.

Merrill’s Main Street was the center of this once busy little town. While not much of Merrill remains today, it was an important crossing point where the Leaf and Chickasawhay Rivers meet. The town was the site of the last ferry crossing on the Pascagoula River, eliminated in 1928 with the construction of the Merrill Bridge. The town’s Main Street would become the approach to the bridge.

Main Street in Merrill, Mississippi ends where the Chickasawhay and Leaf Rivers meet to form the Pascagoula River.

In 1895, The Old City Hall in Biloxi stood in the middle of Main Street, It was demolished in 1966.

Image Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The longest Main Street is in Poplarville, stretching nearly three and one-half miles long. This is also the only coast Main Street to have an underpass that goes beneath two sets of railroad tracks. Likely laid out in the 1870s, this Main Street would have taken off as the center of town after 1884 when the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad was completed, and the town incorporated. The Southern leg of Mississippi is home to churches, businesses, the county Courthouse, and the post office, while the north portion of the street is suburban.

Moss Points’ Main Street began as, and remains, the community’s commercial corridor. The Main Street hodonym beginning at the southern city limit and terminates at the approach to the Jack G. Hanson Memorial Bridge. Originally known as “Pascagoula Avenue,” the name was formally acknowledged as “Main Street” after 1904.

Perhaps the shortest Main Street on the coast is in Perkinston, clocking in at just about onequarter of a mile. Representative of where “town & gown” meet. The road runs parallel to the railroad tracks and originally was the link between Old Highway 49 and the entrance to Perkinston Junior College, better known today as Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

First Baptist Church (above) and the Post Office (below) are both on Main Street in Poplarville.

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Picayune’s Main Street is quite unusual for the fact that it has grown significantly longer than originally laid out. Its initial lay out was also strictly residential sites. It would not be until after the 1950s that Main Street extended its length more than two-thirds. What was once known as West Railroad Avenue has been incorporated into Main Street, changing the make-up of the street to a mix of government services, light industry and commercial, in addition to residential.

Main Street in St. Andrew is the only such named street not associated with a rail line or a navigable waterway, perhaps owning to the fact it is the newest avenue to bear the moniker having been established well into the automobile era. Initially laid out in the 1960s, it’s unclear if this was intended by developers to be the thoroughfare for commercial or residential properties.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANNA HARRIS, DIRECTOR OF COASTAL MARDI GRAS MUSEUM

The museum began as the Biloxi Mardi Gras Museum, a small display in the offices of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. Today it is a vast collection of costumes and memorabilia from over 20 different krewes. In 2019, the museum was renamed the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum and expanded our mission to promote and preserve the majestic 113-year history of Mardi Gras across the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast. A visit to the museum’s new location on Howard Avenue in downtown Biloxi is an invitation to explore the rich history of royalty, krewes, costumes and parades that make Mardi Gras the most magical time of year in Coastal Mississippi.

Our history begins in the 1880s when Mardi Gras in Coastal Mississippi was a loose community celebration, including parading and parties. March 3, 1908, the City of Biloxi mounted its first city sponsored parade marking the official beginning of Mardi Gras in Mississippi.

This first parade was led by the reigning royalty King Bienville, later changed to King d’Iberville, and Queen Ixolib, which is Biloxi spelled backwards. It also included a Grand Marshal, 17 floats, 50 flambeau carriers and the Herald Newspaper’s 12-piece band. The annual parade was formalized into an organization in 1916 when the Biloxi Carnival and Literary Association was incorporated. As the celebration spread beyond Biloxi, this group was renamed the Gulf Coast Carnival Association making it the oldest carnival organization in Mississippi.

Since 1908, the celebration has grown to include over 35 different krewes across the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson. The word krewe was first coined by the Krewe of Comus in New Orleans and is a private social club dedicated to the celebration of Mardi Gras. In 1922 the ladies krewe of Les Masquees was formed in Biloxi making it the first private krewe in the State of Mississippi. Les Masquees was quickly followed by the first men’s krewe, the Krewe of Mithras who held their first ball in Biloxi in 1924.

Mardi Gras has a storied history in Coastal Mississippi. For 27 years, the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum has welcomed visitors to learn about the unique story of Mississippi Mardi Gras. The celebration of Mardi Gras has grown from small community parades to an extensive group of clubs and krewes celebrating with numerous balls, parties and parades. As Mardi Gras has grown, so has the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum.

Each krewe or organization puts on an annual coronation ball featuring a king, queen and royal court. Every ball has its own theme which is reflected in the decorati ons and custom-made costumes for that event. Each costume is designed for the royal wearer and the th eme they are representing. Courts usually include pairs of six to eight dukes and maids, each representin g a specific theme. Krewes often keep their themes and royalty a secret until the night of Coronation Ball. Krewes create their own unique rules and customs, making every ball a one-of-a-kind experience. Coronati on balls include an elaborate tableaux where the royalty is presented to the membership and invited gu ests. After the presentation, revelers enjoy a dance. Balls, luncheons and parties are held throughout the carnival season.

While not everyone can be a royal or participate in a coronatio n ball, museum visitors can get a taste of the pageantry trying on costumes in our interactive Education C ollection. The collection includes actual capes, trains, tunics, headpieces and mantles. After touring the museum and seeing the costume displays, visitors can try on and enjoy being king or queen for the day!

Another important part of Mardi Gras is the parades and the thr ows. The museum has an extensive collection of throws, beginning with the glass beads used in th e 1930s. Glass beads changed to plastic beads and collectable commemorative doubloons in the 1960s. Dou bloons are small metal coins created annually by krewes and organizations. One side of the doubloon features the group’s logo while the other showcase’s the particular year’s theme. The small plastic beads have evolved to include elaborate custom medallion beads, cups, stuffed animals and more! Throws are one of the most exciting parts of a parade leaving parade goers clamoring for the best catch.

Carnival season only happens once a year, but a visit to the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum allows you to experience the excitement all year long. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

FLAVORFUL

BY ROXANN RANKIN WICKER

Ah, Mardi Gras. The time of year when Mardi Gras balls, beads, parades, revelry, pageantry, indulgence and king cake come together as one. It provides us with a momentary escape from the reality and meaning behind Lenten season.

One thing is certain, a slice of king cake provides satisfaction to our palate while reminiscing the past. This buttery, oval in shape, sweet roll, royal dessert is a tradition to all who are present for the carnival season of Mardi Gras.

Like most of us, as soon as we are weaned off the bottle, it is time to enjoy king cake. Generations of children have been raised on king cake during carnival season, respectively, school children are treated to a slice every Friday. Even so, you will find king cake set up on a tailgate of the parade route, or under a tent with friends and family, to enjoy.

King cake is everywhere!

The king cake dates back centuries to an ancient Roman festival which celebrated the solstice, adopted by Christianity, where versions are still found today. Back in early Roman times, a gold painted bean was hidden inside the cake to choose their queen.

Adopting the Christian calendar, the “Twelfth Day,” after Christmas is celebrated as the date the gift bearing Magi visited baby Jesus. On this date, January 6th, it is known by several names, “Epiphany,” “Twelfth Night” or “Kings’ Day.” This celebration has evolved over the many centuries and cultures have adopted their own traditions.

The New Orleans tradition, borrowed from European influences, is believed to have been brought over - depending on who you ask - from France or Spain in the 1870s. Once said to be filled with homemade fruit jams, an artistry of candied fruit adorned the top. As part of the past celebration, it is now tradition to honor the Three Kings, or the ‘King Cake.’

Most king cakes of the greater Gulf South are adorned with purple, green and gold. Each color represents a deeper meaning: purple illustrates justice, green is associated with faith and gold represents power. These colors were chosen to symbolize a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. The symbolism is represented differently by each bakery, whether purple, green and gold icing, sprinkles or colored sugar.

There is no center to a king cake, but buried inside all that delicious batter, is a tiny, plastic baby figurine. In the mid-20th century, a New Orleans bakery started adding porcelain babies inside cakes. The porcelain soon became plastic, and the tradition was born. Traditionally, whomever finds the baby in their slice must bring the king cake for the following year. So, what exactly is a king cake and how is it made?

It is comprised of a sweet Danish dough or brioche. Today, the cakes are filled with delicious flavors of fillings for the discerning palate. Traditional plain cinnamon, chocolate, cream cheese filled, fruit filled, combination of cream cheese and fruit and, a personal favorite, pecan praline. The diversity of cakes has its own bragging rights. Each has a unique baker with a unique personal narrative. Each cake made is an extension of that baker and the story behind their lineage. Many aficionados line up in droves for their favorite king cake dough creations. If you find yourself unable to visit a local southern bakery, you can enjoy king cake through mail order. Most are do it yourself (DIY) with icing, sprinkles and colored sugar. Some arrive already decorated. Others have the baby inside the dough, meanwhile, some provide the baby as an option. Since the 1970’s Paul’s Pastry in Picayune has been a staple in the king cake game. Their customer base has grown exponentially and Paul’s has become a world famous bakery and offers a variety of king cakes online. With a hefty box filled with your king cake of choice, sugar and glaze decorating packet, this delivery option will put you in the festive spirit.

Locally, we have a few options that are mouthwateringly delish. You cannot go wrong with a Biloxi icon, Le Bakery, a Vietnamese bakery known for their king cakes and other pastries. They are soft, pillowy, and with their wide variety of fillings, they are exceptional. If you are in Jackson County, then you cannot pass up a visit to Anderson’s Bakery in Pascagoula. Timeless and traditional, their king cakes are consistently delectable.

Crawfish is King! ... at Least for This Recipe

AND PHOTOS BY ROXANN RANKIN WICKER

There is no better way to start your seasonal eating than getting in the kitchen and whipping up some of your most prized dishes. For my best friend, Rachel Inabinette Tanner this is her savory crawfish and boudin king cake. Savory king cake? Yes indeed. It is a sweet crescent roll stuffed with boudin, onions, red, yellow, and green bell pepper, cream cheese and the star of the show, Louisiana crawfish. And let me tell you it is “lick the bowl” kinda good.

Rachel comes from a line of culinary celebrations and home chefs. Though her passion for cooking was not immediate as one may assume. Growing up the eldest of four she was unfazed and unaffected by the kitchen chaos surrounding her family of six. Her mom, Ann Inabinette is legendary in the Vancleave community, affectionately known as “Annie Belle,” and former owner of Annie Belle’s Café. The comfortable and confident ambiance of the café paired with life-long community relations; Rachel experienced a culinary happening during her time in the business.

Today I found myself happily forging my way to Rachel’s home where a visit from Annie Belle is always rooted in hilarious stories, belly laughs, and memories made round the intimate Inabinette family homestead. From the moment I entered the door I could smell the browned butter and vegetables sautéing on the cooktop. Upon arrival, my sense drew me in, the fantastic aroma of boudin and crawfish tails compelled me to hover over the cast iron skillet where flavors bubbled. As the dish began to marry one another

Rachel reaches for her “Annie Belle’s Seasoning,” a concoction of spices Rachel uses from Annie Belle’s spice stash that is uber confidential yet sets itself apart by delivering beautifully prepared spice combinations, and provides a sophisticated navigation of the perfect amount of heat. I take a taste the sweet, rich crawfish tails, which, to my delight, carries through the heat from the richness of the cream cheese base. The Annie Belle’s Seasoning steals the show during the initial tasting and is concentrated in flavor. I’m not surprised.

The simple preparation, almost a ‘dump’ dish has converged itself into a refined way of exploring all aspects of king cake tradition. The accoutrements are baguette rounds for the extra filling, a sampling of bacon bits, and impatience of completion of this savory king cake. This creative spin on the signature, yet timeless ‘cake’ is the quintessential elevation of the seasonal crawfish combined with local boudin to make this king cake one of a kind.

WORDS

Crawfish & Boudin King Cake

RECIPE BY RACHEL INABINETTE TANNER

Ingredients

• 2 packs of crescent rolls (Rachel used the Pillsbury brand)

• 1 pack of boudin (Rachel used spicy)

• 1lb cooked, peeled Louisiana crawfish tails

• 1/2 red pepper

• 1/2 green pepper

• 1/2 yellow pepper

• 1/2 white onion

• 1 bunch of green onion

• 1 package of softened cream cheese, cubed (Rachel used Philadelphia Cream Cheese)

• 1/2 stick of butter

• ½ C. shredded parmesan cheese, divide, and dye (optional)

• Purple, green, and yellow food coloring (optional)

• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

• Melt butter in a large, deep saucepan or cast-iron skillet

• Dice all peppers and onions, set aside

• Remove boudin from casing and add to saucepan/skillet

• Add Louisiana crawfish and mix with boudin on lowmedium heat

• Cook boudin & crawfish for 5-w7 minutes, stirring occasionally

• Add peppers and onions to boudin & crawfish, and cook for approximately 10 minutes on low-medium heat

• Add salt & pepper to taste

• Cube softened cream cheese, add to meats and vegetables

• Combine on low for approximately 5 minutes, remove from heat

Assembly

• On a round pizza pan or round baking stone, lay down one sheet of parchment paper & cover the entire area.

• Remove crescent rolls from the package and tear apart perforated triangles

• Lay each triangle pointing to the center, wide edge to the outside

• Continue this process, barely overlapping edges, until a circle is formed

• Spoon mixture onto dough halfway, between points, forming a large circle

• Beginning with the last triangle of dough, fold the wide end first, then pull the center point piece over the top.

• Try to close in as much filling as possible, but it is okay if a little seeps out or shows.

• Create an egg wash with one egg and two tsp. of water, brush the cake

• Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes

• Prepare 3 small bowls of parmesan cheese, add coloring as needed, and mix until vibrant.

• When the king cake is made, add colored parmesan cheese immediately and return to the oven for 4-5 minutes.

• Let cool for 10 minutes and serve.

Photo © Jeff Baldock