MS SC536

Recognizes the Overstreet family's donation of the "Airliewood" estate to Rust College in Holly Springs, valued at $3 million, as the largest single gift ever made to a Historically Black College or University.

The 9,070-square-foot William Coxe Estate was built in 1858 and served as Major General U.S. Grant's headquarters during the winter of 1862-1863; the estate sits on 15 acres about four blocks from the Rust College campus.

The Overstreets purchased the mansion in 2002 in poor condition and completed a multiyear restoration with additions totaling 4,000 square feet, conducted under oversight of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to preserve its National Register status.

Rust College will use "Airliewood" as a museum, guest facility, and events center to house the college's international art and artifact collections, including a special African mask collection currently dispersed across campus facilities.

Resolution directs transmittal of the recognition to Rust College President David Beckley, the Overstreets, the Board of Trustees chairman, and Holly Springs city officials.