This afternoon Taylor Clark and I were fortunate enough to meet with the director of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mr. George Bassi, and discuss some of our city's history as well as the growth of tourism in our area. Mr. Bassi was extremely "hospitable," so to speak, and retouched on a few facts and figures I had learned from my session with EDA Chamber Director Larkin Simpson. Mr. George explained a great deal about the establishment of the museum that still rests in Downtown Historic Laurel and its undying purpose.
Lauren Eastman Rogers, the sole male child and grandchild of his family, passed away at the age of twenty-three years old. He had no children. He was never able to fulfill his dream of continuing his family's lumber business and continuing to simulate the local economy. His father and grandfather; however, appropriated the funds for their loved one to be remembered in an extraordinary way. The Eastman Memorial Foundation was founded in order to "promote the public welfare by founding, endowing, and having maintained a public library, museum, art gallery, and educational institution, within the state of Mississippi." The museum's mission statement was accomplished when it opened its doors on May 1, 1923, on the site of Lauren and Lelia Rogers's home on Fifth-Avenue. Museum admission has been, is, and always will be free because no one should ever miss out on education.
In the past five months alone, the museum tucked away downtown has been visited by over 11, 580 visitors from 39 U.S. states and 12 different countries.. each person with a different story to tell afterwards and a different memory of the exhibits inside and of our little town. Now, that thought is truly priceless.
Lauren Eastman Rogers, the sole male child and grandchild of his family, passed away at the age of twenty-three years old. He had no children. He was never able to fulfill his dream of continuing his family's lumber business and continuing to simulate the local economy. His father and grandfather; however, appropriated the funds for their loved one to be remembered in an extraordinary way. The Eastman Memorial Foundation was founded in order to "promote the public welfare by founding, endowing, and having maintained a public library, museum, art gallery, and educational institution, within the state of Mississippi." The museum's mission statement was accomplished when it opened its doors on May 1, 1923, on the site of Lauren and Lelia Rogers's home on Fifth-Avenue. Museum admission has been, is, and always will be free because no one should ever miss out on education.
In the past five months alone, the museum tucked away downtown has been visited by over 11, 580 visitors from 39 U.S. states and 12 different countries.. each person with a different story to tell afterwards and a different memory of the exhibits inside and of our little town. Now, that thought is truly priceless.