GREENVILLE, Miss.–Preserving part of Greenville’s musical heritage is part of the goal in rehabbing and preserving several properties on Nelson St. But, there’s a lot more to the neighborhood than just music that has historical significance for Mississippi.
“WCA is looking at refurbishing the shotgun shack that was built in 1940. So, we’re working on the procurement of that p[roperty now,” said Justin Brch, executive director of the Washington County Economic Alliance, at Tuesday’s Greenville City Council meeting.
The intent with that property and some others such as the Miller Library, is to preserve them with a grant from the Mississippi Dept. of Archives and History.
Burch said the street holds significance for the state’s musical heritage, having been home to performances on the “chittlin circuit”, by artists like Little Milton and even Elvis. But there’s a dynamic to what happened in the neighborhood.
“Your first Catholic seminary was on the street before it moved to Bay St. Louis,” said Burch. “Digging into some of the Chinese culture, the old Chinese school that’s here, the levee.”
Burch, along with Archives and History and some council members have been working on the preservation plans.
Grants for the project are expected to be announced early next year.
