Interesting picture from War Memorial Park July 12, 2025 taken by a Member.
Hurricane Katrina Commemoration
As we all know, 2025 is the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This was certainly an historic event for our city and for our nation. The Historical Society would like to remember and commemorate this event in a couple ways.
First, at our August luncheon we will have some Katrina stories from those who stayed in town for the storm. As with all luncheons reservations are required. Please see the calendar for additional information.
Second, we would like to create a repository for everyone’s Katrina story so that our descendants, future generations of Pass residents, and visitors can understand the storm through a collection of individual written stories. We think of Katrina as having three phases:
- Landfall with residents bravely coping with one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the continental United States.
- Recovery, when the immediate days and months after landfall saw citizens sorting through debris fields for treasured items, cleaning up flooded homes and businesses, finding a place to live either in town or out of town, eating in mobile kitchens set up by generous volunteer organizations, dealing with the trauma and shock of vast destruction, submitting insurance claims, and so much more.
- Rebuilding, as we come back house by house, business by business, even now 20 years later.
This is history that we lived through and made, and in fact continue to make. We should not let our stories go untold and unrecorded. Some may have already committed their Katrina story to paper. For those who have not, time is passing and we are not getting any younger and our memories of that time are not getting any sharper. Please, take the time to tell your story. Write it down and share it with our Society so that it is preserved.
Writing is hard work, we understand. If putting it down on paper is too daunting, we can make a recording of you. Either way, please let us hear your stories and preserve them for future generations.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, July 28, 2025 12N Luncheon with Speaker
Professor Douglas Bristol will speak on “Building Bridges: Black GIs, Military Labor and the Fight for Equality in World War II.”
Monday, August 25, 2025 11:30A Luncheon with Speaker
This special presentation will be at Trinity Episcopal Church Hall, 125 Church Av, Pass Christian
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION AND TIME
This luncheon will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Remembering Hurricane Katrina—Stories of Survival, Loss and Recovery.
We will hear short narratives from multiple speakers to recall the losses we suffered and celebrate the resilience we demonstrated in bouncing back from utter ruin.
Speakers are:
· Amy Steiner who survived the loss of her house,
· Chief Deputy Sheriff Craig Necaise who escaped from the town library,
· Robin Rafferty and Liz Ishee who rescued a man washed out of his house,
· Chuck Wood will talk about those first post-Katrina days,
· City leaders Chipper McDermott, Malcolm Jones and Joe Piernas will talk about getting Pass Christian on the road to recovery.
Please note the price for this luncheon is $15 for Members and $20 for Non-Members.
Monday, September 22, 2025 12N Luncheon with Speaker
Scott Tilton-with the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures will speak on “Musiques-An Anthology of Louisiana Music in French and Creole”
Monday, October 27, 2025 12N Luncheon with Speaker/ Membership Meeting
Brother Rogers from MDAH will speak on “Places in Mississippi Named for Famous People in the War of 1812.
Trustee Nominating Committee presents candidates to Membership.
Monday, November 10, 2025 7P Membership Meeting
Election of three new Trustees.
Speaker TBD
Monday, December 1, 2025, 6P Holiday Membership Party
Holiday Membership Cocktail Party 1st Monday in December 6P - 8:30P
Location TBD
Friday, December 5, 2025 5P Christmas in the Pass Parade Viewing.
Come join the fun at the Historical Society!! BYOB and a snack to share!! December 5, 5PM No Reservations Needed
The Pass Christian Historical Society Board of Trustees would like to recognize these new memberships for 2025! Thank you for joining!!!
Janis Anderson
Linda Barnes
Chris and Ashley Bass
Joe and Laura Benoit
Beth Brock
Colleen Buchanan
Jane Lang Byrne
Vickie Coles
Lyda Denney and Pat Sievers
Mary G Dick
Karen T Dixon
Deborah R Fournier
James Keating
Terie Kelly
Carol Lindsay
Kathryn MacDowell
Janet McQueen
Mitchell Myers
Scott Naugle and Sean Pittman
Sylvia O'Connor
Carol Peters
Laura and Tom Pickich
Mark J. Santos
Jena Smith
Mary Youngblood
It's time to join or renew your 2025 membership in the Pass Christian Historical Society.
Membership is for the calendar year 2025.
Please see additional information on our Become or Renew Membership page.
Your membership contributions support the operation of the Society including The Billy Bourdin Library, as well as projects and events.
All are welcome to become members.
DOCENTS, DIGITIZATION, NEWSPAPER CLIPPING!!
EVENT CHAIRS, NEWSLETTER!
COME JOIN THE FUN!!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES GALORE!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US!!
228-452-7254
OR EMAIL:
INFO@PASSHISTORY.ORG
Visit 0ur Billy Bourdin Library
Visitors are always welcome to peruse our collection of books and artifacts during our open hours or by appointment.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
plus on Thursday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Come by and look for our OPEN Flag for additional open hours!!
Also by appointment
We are always looking for volunteers to fill more slots for 10-12 and 1-3. Please let us know if you’re looking for a nice place to greet and meet folks. We will train you!!
The Pass Christian Flag
Check out our
Upcoming Events to see all the upcoming events at the Pass Christian Historical Society!
For the latest updates on our events, visit our Facebook page.
