History buffs of Natchez, you’re going to have an opportunity to learn about some amazing women who, in March of 1816, gathered to found an organization which 196 years later is known as Natchez Children’s Home Services.

For this year’s Grace McKittrick MacNeil Lecture, the Natchez Historical Society has invited Nancy Park Hungerford, executive director of NCHS, to present the fascinating story of these dedicated women who called themselves the Female Charitable Society.

Their extraordinary efforts to rescue children in peril were, in fact, so successful that the organization they founded is still in operation today!

The Grace MacNeil lecture series is the result of a bequest from Mrs. MacNeil to the Natchez Historical Society.

The society decided that each year, in the month of March, it would use the gift to fund a lecture highlighting subjects pertaining to women’s history, architecture or gardens (nature) — all areas which Mrs. MacNeil was interested in throughout her lifetime.

Last month the Mississippi Secretary of State attested to the fact that the Natchez Children’s Home is the oldest non-profit in the state, and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History had a plaque installed in the front yard of 806 North Union St. telling the story of its founding.

Mr. and Mrs. Marlon Copeland, co-presidents of the Historical Society invited Mrs. Hungerford to give a lecture on these long ago ladies and how their mission has been continued throughout so many years.

I’m happy to say that today a number of men serve with the women and are deeply involved in the ministry at Natchez Children’s Home Services.

I am one of them, and we each consider it a privilege to help provide a safe, Christian environment for children at risk.

Pictures of eight of the founders have been located and have been incorporated into a PowerPoint presentation. A portrait of the primary founder, Selah Henderson, wife of planter/merchant John Henderson, will be on display, courtesy of John and Valerie Bergeron whose home, Pleasant Hill, was owned and lived in by Mr. and Mrs. Henderson in 1816. John Henderson was also a Presbyterian elder, and one of the Founders of the Presbyterian Church in Natchez.

The event, to be at the Natchez Convention Center, is open to the public, and there is no admission charge.

It begins with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The lecture will start at 7 p.m. Try to be there.

You won’t be sorry!

 

Bradley Harrison is president of the board of directors of the Natchez Children’s Home Services.