Dr. Roscoe Barnes elected president of Mississippi Historical Society

NATCHEZ, Miss. (VDN) — Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez, is the new president of the Mississippi Historical Society. He was elected Thursday, March 6, during the society’s annual meeting in Jackson. He will lead the organization for the next year through March 5, 2026, when the meeting is held in Meridian.

“I am grateful to the Mississippi Historical Society for having faith in me and for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” said Barnes. “I am excited about my new role, and I look forward to working with our members and partners to create exciting programs and other endeavors over the next year.”

As the new president, Barnes fills the position previously held by Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, associate professor of history at the University of Southern Mississippi. He will serve alongside Keena Graham, the society’s new vice president. Graham is the superintendent of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Jackson.

“The Mississippi Historical Society has benefited from the leadership of Roscoe Barnes in recent years and is proud that he will be the organization’s president for 2025-26,” said secretary-treasurer Brother Rogers.

The Mississippi Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that works with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to promote understanding of the state’s history. Barnes joined the society’s board of directors in 2022. He became vice president in 2024.