Meridian Architectural Trust

Saving Meridian’s story one building at a time. Mission: The Meridian Architectural Trust will use education, rehabilitation, and engagement to preserve the built environment of Meridian, Mississippi. The Meridian Architectural Trust saves Meridian’s architectural treasures by purchasing, rehabilitating, and selling structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the Meridian Architectural Trust educates the public about the importance of Meridian’s story and architecture, runs events to help celebrate Meridian’s unique assets, and actively engages the community in this work. Vision: From vernacular to modern, from residential to commercial, from governmental to industrial, we believe that the built environment is an intrinsic part of a community’s identity. Preserving the buildings of Meridian by educating the public, rehabilitating the structures, and engaging the people will help create a sense of place, make people feel welcome, teach the community about our shared past, present, and future -- creating a community that is welcoming, enduring, and livable, now and in the future.

SHORT TERM GOALS ● Present an annual conference to promote preservation in Meridian and Mississippi ○ 2022 Conference - Crossroads: Meridian’s Preservation Map for the 21st Century ● Maintain a revolving fund and other assets to directly benefit the architectural treasures of Meridian ● Act as a trust for historic properties ● Establish the Historic Plaque program ● Begin presenting mini-educational programming: Lunch and Learn type events ● Promote The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. LONG TERM GOALS ● Act as a resource for homeowners in historic neighborhoods by providing grants for historic preservation work, providing education and tools for historic preservation work, and working to facilitate the improvement of neighborhood infrastructure. ● Provide educational events to residents, students, and civic and business leaders to promote preservation. ● Create a technical resource for the community - provide people with the skills that make preservation possible.