Elbert R. Hilliard, a longtime director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), has passed away at the age of 87.
The MDAH confirmed the news on Monday. Hilliard became the fifth director of the agency in 1973 and served in the role until his retirement in 2004. Even then, he still helped support the MDAH mission as he was named director emeritus.
“Under [Hilliard’s] leadership, MDAH grew to be a multifaceted historical agency with a national reputation for excellence,” current MDAH Director Katie Blount said. “His work had a profound impact on the effort to preserve, interpret, and promote Mississippi history.”
Some of the highlights of Hilliard’s career, according to MDAH, were working with the Mississippi legislature to make the State Antiquities Law one of the strongest in the U.S. as well as initiating a grant program to benefit historic properties across the state. Another achievement of Hilliard’s was helping MDAH establish a records management program for state government records.
Hilliard served as the secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Historical Society (MHS) from 1973 to 2017. He also served as editor-in-chief for the Journal of Mississippi History throughout his 31 years as MDAH director.
“Mr. Hilliard’s long record of public service is an example for every public official in the state,” Brother Rogers, who now serves as secretary-treasurer for MHS, said. “He dedicated his career to promoting the preservation and understanding of Mississippi history. He will be remembered not only for his achievements, but also for his personal rectitude, humility, and generosity.”
According to the Natchez Trace Funeral Home, there’s a visitation for Hilliard’s friends and family on Thursday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a celebration of life to follow. Both will be at Madison Methodist Church.
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