601-693-9905
  • Home
  • Exhibitions & Events
  • About Us
  • History
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
  • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Sponsors
  • LIBRARY
  • SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS

INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE RESEARCH LIBRARY

The Industrial Heritage Research Library was created with large book bequests from two individuals. Henry J. Kratt Sr., who died in 2010, had a large collection of 357 books and magazines that focused on steam engines, clocks and model making. He had indicated his interest to donate his collection to the museum. His widow, Dr. Rita K. Lum, carried out his wishes, which served as the start of the current research library. Troy Beatty, who died in 2015 had told his wife Debra that he wanted his books to go to the museum at Soulé Steam Feed Works. She made the decision to carry out his wishes by donating his collection of books, magazines, DVDs, videos and vintage catalogs. More than 1,400 items make up this collection with topics of steam engines. machine shop practice, blacksmithing, architecture and a wide variety of historical interest pieces. Both collections included rare and scarce books. In 2017, Hartley D. Peavey, founder of Peavey Electronics, heard of the efforts to create the Library and donated the shelving to complete the process. Over a period of two summers, The Riley Foundation funded two college students that inventoried these collections and added the Dewey Decimal System markings on the book spines. These books were then shelved in their appropriate places making the Library easy to use. The Library is not a lending library and is available for researchers by appointment. Members of the organization also have on-site access to the Library. A link to the Library has been provided below.
enter industrial heritage research library catalog here
Museum Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Last Entry Into Historic Site - 3 pm Sunday-Monday: Closed
Contacts
601-693-9905
1808 4th Street Meridian, MS 39301
Copyright © 2023 Network Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved.

We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. By clicking Accept you consent to our use of cookies. Read about how we use cookies.

Your Cookie Settings

We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. Read about how we use cookies.

Cookie Categories
Essential

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our websites. You cannot refuse these cookies without impacting how our websites function. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings, as described under the heading "Managing cookies" in the Privacy and Cookies Policy.

Analytics

These cookies collect information that is used in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are.