After being tossed around in what seems like a political game, the local Triangle Cultural Center finally received some good news this week — news that could help begin the quest for grant funds and an appreciative donation from the Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Triangle Cultural Center was listed as one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places by the Mississippi Heritage Trust. The announcement came last Thursday, and it was exciting to see that our local landmark will be included among sites within the state to perhaps take advantage of the MHT mission, which is to save and renew places meaningful to Mississippi and its history.
Back in 1992, when a group of dedicated preservationists got together to form the Mississippi Heritage Trust, they envisioned an organization that would work with local preservation groups and support them in their battles to save Mississippi’s rich architectural legacy.
With programs like as the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi, efforts begin to shine a spotlight on the need to save the treasured historic resources that make Mississippi such a special place. One only has to look at the recently renovated King Edward Hotel in Jackson. What was once a rubble, filled with vagrants and deterioration, has been transformed back to its glory as a successful hotel. It may take some time, but we are hopeful that the Triangle’s recent inclusion on the trust’s list could acquire funds to help restore our vital, historic local landmark.
Local artist Olivia Anderson spearheaded the campaign, urging people to nominate the Triangle to be included on the state’s list. Trust officials said the Triangle received an enormous number of nominations, and we applaud Anderson on her efforts and success in securing our spot at the table.
Locally, the CVB has also donated up to $60,000 to help repair the south wall of the Triangle. We also applaud the CVB board’s efforts and desire to help preserve one of Yazoo’s most iconic landmarks.
This newspaper has provided plenty of ink in support of saving the Triangle. Unfortunately, it seemed as if we were writing the same story for a few years as the building’s future was tossed around the political ocean, waiting for an anchor. It was refreshing to write an article this week with positive momentum for the future for the Triangle.
It is our opinion that we should do everything we can to save the historic site. The beautiful building was constructed in 1904 and is only one of six such sites left in the entire country. If its history isn’t enough to spark support, it should be the current story the building writes to this day. The building holds a local history museum, which shares our story with local school children and visitors alike. Tenants are inside the building, using it for a place to create art, hold performances and encourage dance instruction among our young people.
It is not a dead building but rather a vibrant resource for the arts and history that still has a heartbeat. The state’s recent support, the desire for preservation among our locals and the potential the building holds for many activities should be seen as a lifeline for the future.
Let’s hope its gentle heartbeat isn’t silenced.
