STARKVILLE, Miss.--A West Point-based historian and cultural observer will discuss folklore and history of Tombigbee River steamboats on Thursday [Sept. 30] at 4 p.m. at Mississippi State University.
Rufus Ward, a contributing author to two books and regular columnist to the Columbus Commercial Dispatch newspaper, will deliver a talk titled "Rollodores, Dead Heads, and Sidewheelers: The Lost Story of Tombigbee Riverboats" in McCool Hall's atrium.
Part of the distinguished lecture series at MSU's Institute for the Humanities, the event is free and open to the public.
Active in the fields of history and historic preservation for more than 35 years, Ward lectures on history-related topics and consults on cultural projects. He serves as an adviser emeritus to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was honored with the Calvin Brown Award from the Mississippi Association of Professional Archaeologists for his historic preservation work.
The university's Distinguished Lecture Series is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Provost. It hosts scholars, writers and artists from around the world.
For more information, contact College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gary Myers at 662-325-8071 or gmyers@deanas.msstate.edu.
