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photo by Steve VanGunda
Historic Natchez Foundation Executive Director Ron Miller has led historic preservation in Natchez on Main Street and beyond. He recently accepted a position with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as director of their gulf coast field office.
Miller to restore Gulf Coast historic sites
Published Saturday, June 28, 2008
NATCHEZ —More than 30 years after taking his first assignment with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Ron Miller is returning to the group once more — and leaving Natchez.
Miller recently accepted a new position with the department that will take him from Natchez before the end of July.
Miller currently works as the executive director of the Historic Natchez Foundation; he is the only person to have ever filled the role.
After decades of preserving and restoring Natchez, Miller is headed to Mississippi’s Gulf Coast to head-up a restoration project of epic proportions — literally.
On July 21 Miller will begin his newest assignment as director of the Gulf Coast Field Office of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
“It’s definitely going to be a major challenge,” he said.
But to say the new job will be a challenge might be a great understatement.
Miller will basically be in charge of overseeing the reconstruction and restoration of 300 historically designated properties across Mississippi’s coast that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
And while the project could likely constitute a life’s work, Miller is on a two-year deadline.
To help, he has a $50 million budget and just three assistants.
In January, Miller announced plans to retire in October 2009.
However, he said the challenge and unique opportunity of the job on the coast was not one he could pass up.
“This is a chance to do some concrete work,” he said of the rebuilding effort. “People are going to be able to get back into their homes and will get to see communities coming back.”
But this large-scale revitalization project is not for the faint of heart.
The $50 million is federally funded and will result in what Miller called “an avalanche of paperwork.”
And while the work won’t be easy some think Miller is perhaps one of the only preservationists who can get the job done.
The Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Ken P’Pool said Miller’s extensive experience in preservation made him an ideal candidate for the project.
“We’ve wanted him to work on the project since the beginning,” he said.
P’Pool said the nature of working with the government makes the project a challenge, but one he is confident Miller can handle.
In fact Miller said he enjoys finding order in chaos, and his latest venture should provide plenty of that.
P’Pool said he’s confident Miller will be able to complete his assignment in the two-year time frame.
“This is what preservationists do,” he said. “We’re glad Natchez is letting us use him.”
But Natchez won’t be the only one missing Miller.
Miller’s wife, Mimi, said she does not know how life without her husband will work out.
Mimi is the foundation’s director of programs.
Miller will be living nearly three and a half hours away and will only be home for weekends.
“It’s going to be very, very different for us,” Mimi said.
Aside from Mimi, the Historic Natchez Foundation will be without the only executive director they have ever had.
HNF’s President of the Board of Trustees Margaret Perkins said it will not be possible to replace Miller.
“He’s just not someone that can be replaced,” she said. “We need someone who can come in where he left off.”
Perkins is in the process of forming a committee to find Miller’s successor.
“It’s going to be a challenge, there’s no question,” she said.
Until a new director is found Mimi will take over her husband’s role.
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Mimi can use her excess time to get to work spending that money collected for repairing Wagner's Store up here in Church Hill. It's such a shame for private donations to languish while the project they were donated for falls apart and increases in restoration expense.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on June 28, 2008 at 6:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Ron!
I'm glad you have found a position in a place where people will actually appreciate the importance and the value of the work you do. MDAH could not have chosen a more qualified and effective leader for this project.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH NO! I love these people! How sad they are leaving Natchez, and how sad FOR Natchez.
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ron I hate to see you leave the HNF but I'm glad the Gulf Coast
Restoration group got you. I'm sure you will do a wonderful
job of restoring the homes and will do it cost effective as well.
You and Mimi are very loved and respected in Natchez. I know you hear alot of complaints, but you two have done more for Natchez than anyone I know. I don't think you hear it enough.
No one can ever fill you or Mimi's shoes.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ron...come on down...I've been on the coast now for 14 months with my wife still in Natchez...it is difficult, but not too bad...especially when you consider the work you'll be doing.
I look forward to hopefully working with you again. I've got a pretty big project, I'm sure you'll be handling and will enjoy.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ron is definitely going to have his work cut out for him --the Gulfport Library for one. I hope it doesn't turn out like the Pecan Factory! As reported by the Sun Herald:
"The Gulfport Library got a reprieve from the wrecking ball on Thursday.[June 12]
"The permit committee for the state Department of Archives and History agreed Wednesday to consider designating the building a Mississippi Landmark because of its architectural significance, the role the building has played in the community and public sentiment.
"If the library, built in 1965 in the New Formalism style of architecture, is made a landmark, it can’t be torn down without permission from the department’s board.
“'The building is an example of a style of architecture not widely found in the city of Gulfport, the surrounding community or even in the state of Mississippi,' said Bill Gatlin, architectural historian for Archives and History. 'It’s an iconic building for the people who grew up in Gulfport.'
"But several Harrison County supervisors said Thursday they will not use public money to repair or insure that building, no matter what its designation. Even if the library is made a landmark, the county isn’t obligated to repair the building.
“'The board doesn’t have a burning desire to tear down that building,' Supervisor Kim Savant said. Savant represents District 2, which includes the library. 'But what we have said is that we will not put taxpayer dollars into the building.'”
Posted by observer (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Ron. I hope you will never really "retire" because I just can't imagine your not having your gifted hand in preservation forever. The Gulf Coast needs you, so I guess we'll have to get used to lending you out, but at least you'll be home on weekends. You and Mimi have always been a great team, so I'm sure you'll continue giving each other advice and support, even when you're apart.
In your travels do please look carefully for a young preservationist who might be lured to Natchez as an intern to continue what you two are doing here. There will always be those for whom "Progress" connotes tearing down and forgetting our historical and architectural heritage. The fight has to go on.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW, the photo above is FABULOUS and looks like a book or the beginning of a movie!
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Say it Loud...I'm glad you mentioned the photograph. It is
fabulous! Steve did a wonderful shot! I had just mentioned to my husband this morning about it being a great photograph; Main Street and all and Ron you look great.
Posted by speakeasy (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes! What a great picture and do you see how wonderful it is to look out beyond the end of the street and see blue sky over the water. Please leave for us those clear, unobstructed views extending over the bluffs edge! Please!!!
Ron, good luck and enjoy! What we will do without you, I don't know.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great photo I agree--- but Ron! I honestly don't think you know how much you are loved in this town and how much we will all miss you....this is so sad. Good for you and the Coast but so bad for Natchez.
Posted by iluvntz2 (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our loss is the coast's gain. Congrats Ron, we will miss you and Mimi. Thank you for all you have done for Natchez. Wish things could have gone better your home.
Posted by historyteach (anonymous) on June 30, 2008 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Ron!!!
I'm very happy to hear that the Gulf is getting such an able and qualified man for this incredible undertaking!
Natchez's loss is truly the Coast's gain!
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