.jpg?_=637593639001424374)
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Richard Topp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting and welcomed guests.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Bill Raymond. Bill is an Executive Planner and serves as the historic preservation officer for the City of Biloxi overseeing development in the City’s six locally designated historical districts.
Bill’s topic today is the Old Biloxi Cemetery. It was started in 1748 when the property was donated. The property has a 200-foot frontage on the beach and is the highest point in Biloxi. It is believed the property was donated because it already had graves on it and could not be used for anything other than a cemetery. The property was located next to the first French encampment in Biloxi.
Our guest, Bill Raymond, and Hattiesburg Club President, Mark Killingsworth.
In 1894, the Biloxi Cemetery Association was formed with the mission of putting a plan in place for the operation and maintenance of the property. The Association could sell burial sites and hired a sexton to manage the Cemetery.
Eleven additions have been made to the original property. In the 1920s the City of Biloxi took the Cemetery back and in 1961 opened it up for visitors and tours. The brick wall that surrounds the property is made of bricks from the old city hall which was located on the property originally.
More than $300,000 was spent to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Many graves were exposed, and monuments damaged or destroyed during the storm. Approximately $30,000 has been donated by visitors who attend the annual cemetery tours. That money is being used to preserve and repair gravesites and monuments. A virtual tour of the Cemetery is now available at www.discover.biloxi.ms.us.
Mark reminded members that the Rotary Foundation is the club’s fourth quarter cause. Members are encouraged to make a $125 donation to the Foundation before the end of June. A representative of the Foundation is our guest speaker for the meeting on June 22. Two former club presidents, Tom Estes, and Bill Pace are our speakers next week.
Order forms were distributed to members and they were encouraged to consider purchasing official Rotary products. Mark also asked members to give him three ideas on how we can grow the club.
A Friend Raiser is being planned for August or September. It will be a social event and you are encouraged to invite a prospective member. Volunteers are needed to help plan the event. If you are interested let Mark know.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mark adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”