A few months ago, a dear friend called and we had our usual discussion of what is going on in our particular area and the conversation worked its way to the Winona Community House. She and I, along with so many others, have fond memories of activities in this building. After contacting the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, they were so kind to send what information they could gather on its history and also its use as a library.
Many of you may not be aware that a library was located in the north end of the building with the children's books located on the stage with a curtain separating it from the main floor. The librarian I remember from the community house was Mrs. Nancy Hosford.
Our Winona Community House was completed in 1936 and is one of 17 known Works Progress Administration community houses built during the New Deal which was created by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935.
In reading an article from The Winona Times dated August 7, 1936, the supervisors of the different county projects arranged their exhibits in the new community house, which was just being completed by WPA labor and was open to the public for the first time. There, in very clever and interesting displays, were the exhibits of the WPA School Lunch Project, Beautification Project, Recreation Project, Nursery Project and County Sewing Room. The WPA circulating library was open to visitors in its new quarters in the right wing of the Community House and was most attractively presented. This project, one of the first to be inaugurated in the county, is under the supervision of Mrs. Mary Spencer and her six assistant librarians. There are ten library stations in the county with a total circulation of 1200 volumes, in comparison with 300 volumes when the project was begun.
On July 3, 1936 this article appeared in The Winona Times and reads as follows, “The beautiful new Community House which Winona is so proud of, is now open. All the clubs are beginning to make their plans to have meetings there. The young people of the town are making plans for their social gatherings at the community House and that is what it is for. Every citizen should feel a personal pride in it.”
After speaking with Paula Hood McCaulla, we recalled countless events held at the Community House from our early school days to present day. One of my fondest memories was the Friday night dance held after the ballgame. What fun we had and many of our parents were chaperones. Paula brought to mind the excitement when Mac Allen Smith entertained. My sister Glenda truly loved dancing and who better than Winona's own Down Beats to entertain.
Our Winona Community House is a Mississippi landmark. Let's continue to take pride in it and hopefully future generations will enjoy this special place.
