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Two of Hancock County’s most influential organizations are marking a historic milestone in 2025: 100 years of service, leadership, and community impact. The Hancock Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis, both founded in 1925, are proudly celebrating their centennial anniversaries with events that honor their shared legacy and continued contributions to the region.
Centennial Celebrations The Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis will host its Centennial Gala on Saturday, July 26 at 6 p.m. at the Bay St. Louis Community Center—an iconic venue the Rotary helped fund and build for the community. For details and tickets, visit www.baystlouisrotary.com. The Hancock Chamber of Commerce will host its Red Carpet Centennial Celebration on Thursday, August 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. The event will honor Outstanding Citizens, Businesses, Nonprofits, and the Industry of the Year, as recognized by the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission. Learn more at www.hancockchamber.org. A Shared Origin and Enduring Legacy in a unique twist of history, the Rotary Club’s first initiative after its founding in July 1925 was to organize a Chamber of Commerce for the City of Bay St. Louis. That effort led to the first Chamber meeting in October 1925, and a formal charter was issued on November 13, 1925, under the name Bay St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. Its mission was to promote the civic, economic, and social welfare of the local community. The Chamber’s founding leaders included:

– H.S. Weston, President
– George R. Rea, Vice President
– Jos. O. Mauffray, 2nd Vice PresidentDr. James A. Evans, 3rd Vice President
– William Cooper, Secretary
– John Osoinach, Treasurer


In 1945, the Chamber broadened its scope to serve the entire county, officially
becoming the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce. Serving Hancock County for a Century Today, with more than 1,500 members, the Hancock Chamber remains a vital force in driving business development, tourism, and community progress. Its office, located in the historic Bay St. Louis City Hall at 300 South Second Street, doubles as a welcome center for visitors and a hub for local business resources. The Chamber also leads two major nonprofit initiatives: Partners for Stennis & Michoud and Hancock County Community Development Foundation, which supports education, cultural enrichment, and long-term community development. Both the Chamber and Rotary have played essential roles in rebuilding after disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, developing future leaders through Leadership Hancock and Hancock Young Professionals, and offering vital resources to local businesses and nonprofits. Their collaborative efforts have supported everything from teacher grants and student scholarships to economic advocacy for NASA’s Stennis Space Center. A Legacy of Leadership & Volunteerism For 100 years, members of the Chamber and Rotary have contributed countless volunteer hours, donated generously to local causes, and nurtured a spirit of civic leadership and ethical business practices. “We have so much to celebrate,” said Tish Williams, Executive Director of the Hancock Chamber. “Our founding members would be proud of the lasting impact these two organizations continue to have on our business community and overall quality of life in Hancock County.” Get Involved Both the Hancock Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis welcome new members and invite the community to participate in their upcoming events and regular meetings throughout the year.

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