LOLLY BARNES
Biloxi, Mississippi

AFFILIATION: Historical Administrator, City of Biloxi

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Historic preservation including preservation planning, restoration project oversight, and public outreach programs; also museum and theatre management

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE: Lolly has been Biloxi’s historical administrator since 1996. In that role, she has worked on a variety of community-building projects. She coordinated the restoration efforts of several important historic buildings, including the Biloxi Lighthouse and the Saenger Theatre and developed a year-long lecture and field trip series on historic preservation that brought nationally recognized speakers to Biloxi. Lolly is a fifth generation Biloxian and views her work as a continuation of her family’s long history of service to the community. 

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Lolly will address the topic of historic preservation as a tool in community building, with Biloxi as a case study. As part of her project she plans to meet with community shareholders including civic organizations and school groups to gather information and ascertain public perceptions of historic preservation. She will explore the development of historic neighborhoods and the effects that disruptions such as urban renewal and natural disasters have on these neighborhoods. She will also look at the role of historic buildings as community meeting places and the impact on community building of local traditions such as festivals. In addition to producing a written report and a public presentation, Lolly expects that the process of meeting with community members during her research will itself be a “mini” community building exercise.