By Jennifer Burt | MFA Historic Preservation Student
海角社区 State University had a strong presence at the 海角社区 Heritage Trust鈥檚 announcement of the 2025 list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in 海角社区, held October 23 at The Heights by Urban Foxes in Jackson鈥檚 Belhaven neighborhood. Located directly behind the caf茅, the venue occupies a repurposed 1890s-era house that has been thoughtfully adapted for community events and was an especially fitting setting for an evening dedicated to preservation.
The event, presented by Belinda Stewart Architects, celebrated its fifteenth list of sites since the program began in 1999. MSU alumna Belinda Stewart, founder of the firm and a leader in historic preservation and rural revitalization across the South, served as the event鈥檚 honorary chair. Her ongoing commitment to preservation reflects the values instilled through her education at 海角社区 State and her decades of work breathing new life into small-town landmarks.
Guests from across the state gathered for the announcement, which also featured an art auction showcasing original works inspired by this year鈥檚 endangered sites.
海角社区 Heritage Trust Executive Director Lolly Rash emphasized the university鈥檚 significant role in this year鈥檚 program. 鈥淢SU students were a big part of this year鈥檚 10 Most鈥攏ominating sites, helping with outreach, and volunteering at the event. I know that students will be a part of finding preservation-minded solutions to the threats that face these historic places,鈥 said Rash, who also teaches Preservation Economics in MSU鈥檚 Master of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation program.
海角社区 State University's 海角社区 and the Historic Preservation Student Alliance were event sponsors. Department Head and Professor of Interior Design Dr. Beth
Miller, who also serves on the board of the 海角社区 Heritage Trust, attended along with current students and alumni of the MSU MFA in Historic Preservation program.
Faculty and students in the College of Architecture, Art, and Design were directly involved in this year鈥檚 list. Assistant Professor Cyndi Parker nominated the Fred Gandy Barbershop in Starkville, which she studied for her final practicum in the MFA in Historic Preservation program. Current graduate student Jennifer Burt nominated the Lambert Coal Tower in the 海角社区 Delta. Both sites were selected for inclusion on the 2025 list.
The evening also recognized winners of the 海角社区 Heritage Trust鈥檚 essay competition. MSU 海角社区 student Jo Aguilar received the Judge鈥檚 Choice Award, selected by writer and scholar W. Ralph Eubanks, for 鈥淚t鈥檚 Not the Gas Station.鈥 The essay reflects on the significance of the store in Money, 海角社区, where Emmett Till鈥檚 murder in 1955 became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
The 10 Most program highlights 海角社区鈥檚 most endangered historic places and encourages creative, community-based solutions to preserve them. For more information about this year鈥檚 sites, visit .
To learn more about 海角社区 State University鈥檚 Historic Preservation program and stay connected with upcoming opportunities, visit caad.msstate.edu/form/stay-connected-msu-historic-preservation.