Old Main during the fire in January 1959. Photo from the MSU Libraries archival collection.
The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum will commemorate the 55th anniversary of the burning of Old Main Dormitory during a Wednesday [Jan. 22] event.
The 10 a.m. program will feature Charles Lowery, former head of MSUâs history department and co-author of the book âOld Main, Memories of a Legend.â
Bill Poe, a member of the board of directors for the museum and a witness to the 1959 fire, said several eye witnesses will attend and share memories of watching the devastating fire. A video also will be shown and photographs will be on display.
An Old Main fire escape retrieved by volunteer firemen who battled the blaze was recently donated and now is on display at the museum, Poe said.
The museum at 206 Fellowship Street in Starkville is open regularly Tuesday through Thursday each week from 1-4 p.m.