Rooted in love for community: The Lafayette County Historical Society

Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Lafayette County Historical Society has been preserving the history of Lafayette County for nearly 45 years, hoping to share with a future generation of residents. As it prepares to move into the old Mayo Free Press building, Sheilah Broughton recalled the society’s history in the county and some of the significant events that unfolded way back when. “Jim and Claire France moved to our area and fell in love with our community and its rich heritage,” Broughton said. “In 1979, working with the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce, they sponsored Pioneer Day, which was the springboard for the Historical Society.” She said Hugh Smith,