The Attala Historical Society is wrapping up its 35th year of ownership of the Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center.
The society’s plans for 2023 include hosting regular speakers to deliver presentations on historical topics, holding a historical cemetery tour, holding a tour of the building titled “If These Walls Could Talk,” holding the Beehive Marketplace, and of course, keeping up with maintenance of the 124-year-old building located at the intersection of North Huntington Street and East Washington Street.
The Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center, which was the old First Presbyterian Church, was completed in 1899. An addition was added in 1935. The building was for sale and had fallen into disrepair when Mary Ricks Thornton spearheaded an effort to raise money to purchase the building and restore it in 1987. She raised $79,500 for the Attala Historical Society to purchase the building from the church. Membership dues go toward maintaining the building.
“We want to keep it in pristine shape, according to what it was when it was built,” said Judi Bell, who is a board member of the Attala Historical Society.
The building is furnished with tasteful pieces of furniture and artwork, many of which have their own special history. These include tables made of vintage lumber, a cabinet formerly owned by Judge Jason Niles and an original painting of the founding members of the Delta Gamma Sorority, to name a few. The building is available to rent for weddings and select events.
“We want the people of Kosciusko and Attala County to use this place,” said Bell.
The Attala Historical Society sends an annual newsletter to members and prospective members. Around 400 newsletters are sent each year. The society currently has around 150 members. Membership is $25 annually.
“We’re always interested in new members; we’re always interested in people who would like to participate and help us with projects,” said Bell. “We love to have people who are already interested in history and in the welfare of the town, and the welfare of this building.”
It has been designated as a Mississippi landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It’s a great place,” said Bell. “I think it’s the greatest place in town. It has so much history, and there is just not another place anywhere like it.”
