by Ezabelle Janssen, Senior Staff Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — As fireworks and flags marked Independence Day across the country, the Pass Christian Historical Society found its own way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by looking back at the people, places, and events that shaped both the nation and the Pass. 

The society opened its doors on July 4th for a special open house, inviting all to enjoy light refreshments and explore a new presentation. “Historical and Cultural Influences on the City of Pass Christian in the Past 250 Years” guides visitors through over two centuries of local history, from the town’s earliest days and its thriving seafood industry to the resilience it has shown after devastating coastal storms. 

Patriotism filled every corner of the building. American flags and red, white, and blue decorations sat beside Pass Christian relics. 

The day’s biggest highlight was the debut of three new television displays, a permanent addition that will transform how visitors experience the Historical Society. The screens showcased a 45-minute presentation, making it easier than ever for visitors to learn the story of Pass Christian. 

Historical Society member Mark Oehmke, who has served on the board for the past three years, said the idea grew out of a desire to celebrate more than just the Fourth of July. 

“It’s not only our 60th anniversary for the Historical Society, but it’s the 250th anniversary of our country,” Oehmke said. “We worked together to put a program together that covers what happened over the last 250 years.” 

The project became possible through a grant that funded the new televisions and technology. Board members divided the town’s history into 50-year segments before combining their research into one presentation. Artificial intelligence was then used to give the narration a consistent voice throughout the program. 

For Oehmke, who moved to Pass Christian with his wife in 2017, preserving local history has become personal. 

“I’m not from here,” he said. “I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, but my wife is a fifth-generation from here, so she knows a lot of this history. For me, joining the Historical Society was a good opportunity to learn about the Pass, its history, and the community.”

The new displays serve as a tour guide for the city’s story. 

“We get you in front of one of the TVs, and we start with the first 100 years, then the second 100 years, and finish with the last 50 years,” Oehmke explained. “People may only have a limited amount of time, but they still want to learn.” 

The presentation, of course, includes a special section on Hurricane Katrina, acknowledging one of the defining moments in the coast’s history. 

“Katrina had a huge effect,” Oehmke said. “It was scary, and a lot of people lost their lives. But it also brought us together, and we rebuilt and rebuilt better.” 

The new exhibits are more than a technological upgrade. They represent another step toward preserving the city’s past while making it easier for future generations to experience it. 

Fireworks may have lit the skies outside, but inside the Pass Christian Historical Society, history took center stage. In many ways, that is what Independence Day represents: honoring the sacrifices and stories that brought us here while investing in the future so those stories continue to be told.

(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)