Senate Concurrent Resolution 542

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE SINCEREST CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PASSING OF RESPECTED HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST ELBERT RILEY HILLIARD, DIRECTOR EMERITUS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY, AND HONORING HIS PUBLIC SERVICE.

WHEREAS, we join historic preservationists and students of Mississippi History in mourning the passing of Elbert Riley Hilliard, Director Emeritus of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), on March 17, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Director Hilliard was an educator, historical administrator, historic preservationist and dedicated public servant who spent 39 years with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and at the time of his retirement on December 31, 2004, was the longest serving State Historic Preservation Officer in the nation; and

WHEREAS, born February 8, 1937, at his Riley grandparents' home in Lambert, Mississippi, Elbert attended school at Anguilla, where he met his future wife, then Claire Nicols. They were married in the Anguilla Methodist Church on August 3, 1958. In 1958, Elbert graduated from Delta State College with a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies and Physical Education. Prior to Elbert's receiving his M.A. degree in History in August 1959, he and Claire accepted teaching positions in the Natchez-Adams County School System. In June 1960, Claire and Elbert moved to Madison to join the Madison County School System. Claire taught first grade, and Elbert taught history courses and coached boys and girls basketball, baseball, and girls track. Here, he earned the esteem of his students and acquired his second lifetime nickname, "Coach Hilliard"; and

WHEREAS, Elbert joined MDAH as the Curator of History and Administrator of the Old Capitol Museum in July 1965, serving under the tutelage of the renowned Charlotte Capers, MDAH's beloved and highly respected third director. Elbert became the first Director of the Division of Historic Sites and Archaeology (now Historic Preservation) in 1970, and in that position initiated and led the MDAH's participation in the National Historic Preservation Program that was established by the U.S. Congress enactment of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966. He also oversaw the implementation of the State Antiquities Law that has resulted in the preservation of innumerable Mississippi Landmark properties and a recognition by citizens and elected officials of the importance and economic impact of historic preservation. Preservationists throughout the nation have frequently noted that Mississippi's Antiquities Act is the envy of other state historic preservation offices; and

WHEREAS, Director Hilliard became Director of MDAH in July 1973 and served in that capacity until his own retirement on December 31, 2004. As MDAH Director, Elbert also served as Mississippi's first State Historical Records Coordinator, as Secretary-Treasurer of the Mississippi Historical Society (a volunteer position that he continued to hold until March 2018), and as a member of the Board of Editors of the Heritage of Mississippi Series since its inception. He had the privilege of working under the leadership and guidance of the Board of Trustees President, William F. Winter, and the other members of the MDAH's Nonpolitical Board. Elbert frequently mentioned how fortunate he was in having the support of both the board and the talented and dedicated staff members who were committed to the MDAH's mission and public service; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure with MDAH, Elbert witnessed its growth from small quarters in the north wing of the War Memorial Building in 1965 to what is now the Charlotte Capers Building in 1971, and then to the new state-of-the-art William F. Winter Building in 2003. He frequently noted that, due to the support of the Mississippi Legislature and visionary citizens across the state, MDAH has evolved into a comprehensive historical agency that is responsible for duties and programs, which are administered by two or more separate agencies in most states; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment in 1902, MDAH has only had seven directors, and Elbert considered himself fortunate in having known all of them except for the MDAH's first Director, Dunbar Rowland. Katie Blount, current MDAH Director, noted Elbert's unique impact when she said, "Elbert Hilliard led MDAH for 39 years during which MDAH grew into a multifaceted historical agency with a national reputation for excellence. His work had a profound impact on the effort to preserve, interpret, and promote Mississippi history. He led with humility, compassion, and wisdom, and those of us who served under him loved and admired him for those qualities as well as his enormous impact on this agency and the state"; and

WHEREAS, on the occasion of Elbert's retirement, the MDAH Board of Trustees granted him Director Emeritus status, effective January 1, 2005, and adopted a resolution honoring him for his service "with honor, dedication, and great distinction for the past 31 years." Citing a few of his countless contributions, the board noted the growth of a multifaceted historical agency with a national reputation for excellence; his overseeing 17 historic properties, six of which are National Historic Landmarks; his invaluable work with the Mississippi Legislature to strengthen and clarify Mississippi's laws governing historic preservation, state and local government records, and archival and library security. Former Governor and Board President, William F. Winter said at Elbert's retirement, "Elbert has helped make the department one of the most stable in state government, one that doesn't change with each administration"; and

WHEREAS, Governor Haley Barbour, presiding over Elbert's retirement reception in the rotunda of the Old Capitol Museum, proclaimed January 27, 2005, as "Elbert Hilliard Day." The Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate adopted concurrent resolutions "commending the legacy of public service of Elbert R. Hilliard and congratulating him on the occasion of his retirement after 39 remarkable years with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History"; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, Governor Barbour presented Elbert the Mississippi Medal of Service. At its annual meeting in 2017, the Mississippi Historical Society presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Elbert for "his effective running of the day-to-day business of the organization from 1973 to 2017." During his service as MDAH Director, Elbert actively supported the Mississippi Heritage Trust as well as the Mississippi Main Street Association and encouraged mayors and local officials throughout the state to request MDAH's assistance in identifying and preserving the important cultural resources in their respective communities; and

WHEREAS, through the years, Elbert remembered the influence that Delta State had on his life. In May 2005, he received the first Honorary Doctorate to be awarded by Delta State University and in 2007, Elbert was named to the university's Alumni Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong Methodist, Elbert was a longtime faithful member of the Madison United Methodist Church, teaching youth and adult Sunday School classes, serving for many years on the church's Administrative Council, the Building Committee for the new sanctuary, the Stained-Glass Window Committee, and as the Church Historian. In 2009, he received the Mississippi Conference's Tobias Gibson Award for his significant contributions to the preservation of Methodist history. From 2005 to 2015, he served as Chair of the Pearl River Church Historic Council that coordinates the Annual Lambuth Day Ceremony and oversees the preservation of the historic Pearl River Church that has been designated a World Heritage Landmark by the United Methodist General Conference Commission on Archives and History; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of the State of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy is a wonderful example for public servants and who leaves a legacy of leadership and dedication to the state he loved:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the sincerest condolences of the Legislature on the passing of respected historic preservationist Elbert Riley Hilliard, Director Emeritus of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, honor his public service, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful state thanks him.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Elbert Hilliard, forwarded to the Director and Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the President of Delta State University, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.