A local treasure
By Staff
May 5, 2004
Designation of the Soul Steam and Feed Works site in Meridian as a state industrial historical museum is a significant development in the continuing life of an important venture. The official designation, which came in a bill written by state Reps. Charles Young and Greg Snowden and signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour, came last week.
Soul Museum project manager Greg Hatcher and foundation president and owner Jim McRae were justifiably proud of the accomplishment. We share their pride that Soul's 401 19th Ave. location will continue to focus on Meridian's history as an industrial center.
The site was described as the most intact Mississippi industrial site dating from the turn of the century. Soul produced steam engines, as many as seven a day in its heyday, powering sawmills that turned raw timber into lumber for homes and businesses. The products gained worldwide acclaim and the company's innovative founder, George W. Soul, held more than 40 patents on industrial products.
Now, efforts are concentrated on transforming the property into an industrial museum with working demonstrations that can help younger generations better understand and appreciate the hard work and types of machines that propelled Mississippi and America into the modern age. The Soul Museum is a significant link to the past whose preservation is important to the future.
