Blackmur Library Receives Historic Designation
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Holding a proclamation recognizing the Blackmur Memorial Library as a Water Valley historic landmark are (from left) Library Director Joe Gurner, Calvin Hawkins, Mayor Tommy Reynolds, Rubye Carr, Cinnamon Foster, Chris Goodwin and Library Assistant Sara Williams.
WATER VALLEY – The Blackmur Memorial Library was formally recognized as a Water Valley historic landmark during a ceremony held June 19, following action by the Board of Aldermen earlier this month.
The board approved the designation during its June 2 meeting as part of an effort to support an application for grant funding that could help address structural and maintenance needs at the historic library building.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds presented the proclamation during the ceremony at the library, recognizing the library’s longstanding role in the educational, cultural and literary life of Water Valley and Yalobusha County.
Originally established in 1934 through the Works Progress Administration, the library served as the central station for public libraries throughout Yalobusha County. Since 1979, it has operated from its current location on Blackmur Drive in the former home of W.E. and Nell Blackmur, who deeded the property to the city for educational purposes.
Reynolds said the designation is intended to help position the library for future preservation efforts and possible grant opportunities.
“We’re shooting for state historic landmark status,” Reynolds said. “To get in the door for some of those opportunities, you need to have the historic status.”
During the June 2 meeting, Reynolds told aldermen the designation was necessary to support a grant application for improvements to the library building and to recognize its historical significance to the community.
“The library can help everybody, and it is for everybody,” Reynolds said. “We just want the best library that we can have.”
