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Oct. 12, 2023 – The Hancock County Community Development Foundation will dedicate and unveil a Hancock County Heritage Star honoring Charles Gray on Saturday, Oct. 14th at 3 p.m.  The ceremony will take place at the Hancock County Historical Society Headquarters, the Kay Lobrano House, located at 108 Cue Street in Bay St. Louis.  A screening of the documentary film, “Connections Matter:  An Oral History of the People & Places of Hancock County, Mississippi,” as narrated by Charles Gray, will follow the ceremony.

About Charles Gray

Charles was a pillar of the Bay St. Louis community.  After settling in the area in 1984, he joined the Hancock County Historical Society (HCHS) and was immediately appointed as an officer.  He successfully petitioned the State of Mississippi to name the maritime battle that took place in the Bay during the war of 1812 the “Battle of Bay St. Louis.”  Receiving this designation was the catalyst for transformation of the organization, who appointed Charles Executive Director for life.  Under Charles’ leadership, HCHS was able to acquire their current headquarters, the Kate Lobrano House on Cue Street, where the Society stores and maintains its ever-growing archives. Charles spearheaded an ongoing and massive digital preservation project of all materials at the Society. With other volunteers he organized and hosted events like the popular annual Cedar Rest Cemetery Tour on Halloween.

The Charles Gray Heritage Memorial Star will be the 8th star dedicated under the Hancock County Heritage Trust, an initiative of the Hancock County Community Development Center that honors people who have made significant contributions to the community.  For a list of other Heritage Memorial Stars and their locations, click here.  

The public is invited to attend the ceremony. For more information about the Bay St. Louis Heritage Star program, please contact the Hancock County Community Development Foundation at (228) 467-9048 or visit their website at http://hancockchamber.org/foundation. 

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The Hancock Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization made up of businesses throughout the Mississippi Coast to promote the social, civic, and economic well-being of Hancock County.  The Chamber established the Hancock County Community Development Foundation in 2006.  It is a 501(c)(3) public charity that serves as a funding conduit for projects with a broad community focus to support job creation, small business growth and workforce development.

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