The Mill at Mississippi State University (MSU) is a re-purposed cotton mill building that was built in 1902 and served as a major economic driver in the growing town of Starkville, Mississippi. This historic mill once produced some of the finest cotton fibers including their signature “Starkville Chambray”
thread… producing over 1.5 million yards of thread annually. The mill was closed in the early 1960’s and MSU bought and re-named the Mill the Cooley Building, which became home to the school’s physical plant.
Fast forward to today…MSU has renovated the building, keeping its traditional character, adding modern, energy efficient, and sustainable features, highlighting its architectural beauty, and re-purposing the building to a beautiful office/conference center that we (MSU, Starkville, and Mississippians) all should be proud of.
Recently, I was at the Mill to attend an urban forestry workshop and although I am not a forester, I have a deep appreciation for the value trees add to our homes, our communities, and our lives. Discussing this topic in a place like the Mill also adds value. It adds value to the experience of knowing that this building…even though it is over 100 years old, and even though it’s uses have evolved over time… is still as vital and important as it was the first day the doors were opened.
AddingValue 