Charlotte Capers

Charlotte Capers (June 28, 1913 − December 23, 1996) was director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) from 1955 to 1969 and was the first woman to become the head of a state agency in Mississippi.[2] Her tenure in various staff positions at MDAH spanned 45 years (1938–1983).[3]

Charlotte Capers
Born(1913-06-28)June 28, 1913[1]
Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee
DiedDecember 23, 1996(1996-12-23) (aged 83)
Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Archivist, historian and author
Parent(s)Walter B. Capers
Louise Woldridge Capers

Biography

Charlotte Capers was born in Columbia, Tennessee, to Walter B. Capers and Louise Woldridge Capers.[1]

Education and career

With a goal of becoming a journalist, Capers attended the University of Colorado and Millsaps College, receiving a BA degree in English from the University of Mississippi in 1934.[1][4]

In 1938, Capers joined the staff of MDAH as a stenographer. In 1943, when MDAH Director, William D. McCain was called to active duty in WWII,[5] Capers was promoted from her position as research and editorial assistant to Acting Director.[3] She served in that position until McCain returned from military service in 1945. In 1955, Capers was elected MDAH Director by the Board of Trustees.[3] Accomplishments during her tenure as Director included:[6]

  • Planned and oversaw restoration of the Old Mississippi State Capitol.
  • The State Historical Museum was organized and housed in the Old State Capitol.
  • Plans were finalized and funding was secured for construction of a new Archives and History Building.

In 1969, Capers stepped down as MDAH Director and moved into a subordinate position as director of information and education at MDAH.[6] In 1972, she was appointed principal executive for restoration of the Governor's Mansion.[7] Charlotte Capers retired from MDAH on April 1, 1983.[8]

Journalism credits

Legacy and death

In 1983, the Mississippi Legislature authorized MDAH Board of Trustees to rename the Archives and History Building as the Charlotte Capers Building[10] in honor of her 45 years of dedicated service to MDAH.[8] Charlotte Capers died December 23, 1996, and was interred at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi.

References
  1. Lloyd, James B., ed. (1981). Lives of Mississippi Authors, 1817-1967. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 73. ISBN 9781617034183.
  2. "A Sense of Place: Women in Mississippi (Charlotte Capers)". mdah.ms.gov. March 22, 2011. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  3. Galloway, Patricia (May 2000). "Mississippi Electronic Records Initiative: A case study in state government electronic records (Charlotte Capers: Buildings and programs, 1955-69)" (PDF). ischool.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  4. Marx, Mary Frances (July 10, 2017). "Charlotte Capers: (1913–1996) Archivist and Author". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  5. Pitts, Jim (February 7, 2014). "Mississippi's Monuments Man: William D. McCain". Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  6. "Charlotte Capers, author from Jackson, Mississippi". www.mswritersandmusicians.com. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  7. Lohrenz, Mary (July 11, 2017). "Governor's Mansion". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  8. Holmes, H.T., ed. (May 1983). "Charlotte Capers Retires from Department of Archives and History". The Primary Source: A Quarterly Publication of the Society of Mississippi Archivists. 5 (2): 6 – via aquila.usm.edu.
  9. Capers, Charlotte (1992). The Capers Papers. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9780878056019.
  10. "Charlotte Capers Building". Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
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