Articles by Rufus Ward
Ask Rufus: Mississippi MASH
Among my all time favorite books, movies and television shows is one that transcends all three media. It’s M*A*S*H, the classic story of the 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War. Many people do not realize the Mississippi ties to the events upon which the original book was based.
Ask Rufus: The Coming of Greek Revival
When people think of antebellum homes in the South it is generally an image of a large Greek Revival style house that comes to mind.
Ask Rufus: Air Force roots run deep
The roots of the U.S. Air Force run very deep in the Golden Triangle.
Ask Rufus: The Legacy of Black Prairie Blues
Blues is a great unifier. A week ago there was a horrible incident in West Point that threatened to create divisions within the community. However, on Friday night in West Point, blues brought people of all sizes, shapes and colors, from all over the United States and even several foreign countries together.
Ask Rufus: The early Federal houses of Columbus
During the first years of Columbus’ growth and expansion, some early settlers tried to bring a little of the refinement of the east coast to the new town.
Ask Rufus: Green corn and dancing under a full moon
Last week there was a spectacular full moon. The news media called it a super moon. While its size and the earth’s being at its closest point to the moon might justify the name, it actually was the Green Corn Moon.
Ask Rufus: The raised-cottages of Columbus, a cultural intersection
In examining the historic architecture of Columbus, the earliest houses other than log houses are the vernacular raised-cottage and the late Federal style.
Ask Rufus: De Soto’s footprints
It’s been almost 474 years since Hernando de Soto dined on barbecue pork in the Black Prairie just west of the Tombigbee River.
Ask Rufus: Columbus’ early log houses
As might be expected, the earliest houses constructed in the upper Tombigbee River Valley were constructed mostly of log. The term “log cabin,” though, is not a very good description of many of the log structures that were built.
Ask Rufus: The irrepressible Uncle Bunky
Last week my granddaughter who lives in Virginia visited Columbus. While here I took her to experience those delightful “crazy animals” from the hand of Robert Williams, the pioneering icon of children’s television known far and wide as Uncle Bunky.
Ask Rufus: A mixing of cultures
The site where Columbus now sits has for hundreds of years been a cultural crossroads.
Ask Rufus: Gardens of ‘Youth and Old Age’
Gardens around the South are filled each summer with beautiful multicolored zinnias.
Ask Rufus: Did the buffalo roam?
I have often been asked, “If the Black Prairie really is a prairie, were there once buffalo around here?”
Ask Rufus: The stories houses tell
Last week Karen and I attended the annual meeting of the Mississippi Heritage Trust in Tupelo. Our house, the Ole Homestead, received the 2014 Trudy Allen Award for residential restoration in Mississippi.
Ask Rufus: A simple framed Silver Star
Friday was the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It’s a day when I always think of my Uncle Orman Kimbrough.
Ask Rufus: Nashville
A question arose last week about Nashville. Not Nashville, Tennessee, but Nashville, Lowndes County, Mississippi.
Ask Rufus: Memorial Day
Much has been written about, and many towns have claimed to be, the birthplace pf Memorial Day. The U.S. Veteran’s Administration reports that more than 24 towns claim to be the birthplace of this weekend’s celebration.
Ask Rufus: The South as pictured 400 years ago
A common question I am asked is, “What did this country look like when only the Indians lived here?” Usually I answer simply, “it was beautiful.”
Ask Rufus: Moundville, Columbus and C.B. Moore
This weekend the Moundville Archaeological Park, located about 10 miles south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Ask Rufus: Flowers, poetry and early explorers
Last week the primroses blossomed along Highway 82. I say primroses but I always called them buttercups as a child because if you smelled them your nose would become covered in yellow pollen.
Jelly Roll to perform at Jeffery Simmons Community Fun Day
July 3, 2025
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