A Plague of Two Cities

  

The Yellow Fever Martyrs Church and Museum, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, is excited to welcome you back to our first Yellow Fever event in three years!  The Museum will be presenting “A Plague of Two Cities: the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 in Memphis and Holly Springs” on Saturday, August 20th, from 6 PM until 8 PM.  

The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 was one of the seminal events of the late 19th century in this region, effecting the entire Mississippi River Valley, from New Orleans to St. Louis, and resulting in the deaths of many thousands and the near destruction of numerous towns and cities. Few cities suffered worse from “Yellow Jack” than Memphis, Tennessee, the “Bluff City”, and Holly Springs, Mississippi, the “City of Flowers”.

Local historian Phillip Knecht will explain the origins of Yellow Fever in both cities, and present some surprising connections between Memphis and Holly Springs during their battles with Yellow Fever. The Yellow Fever Museum is honored to welcome Michelle Malone and Georgia Cooper, with the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum, the 1871 French Victorian mansion along Memphis’ “Millionaire Row” that remains one of the best preserved Victorian mansions in Memphis. Michelle and Georgia will explain how Yellow Jack nearly destroyed Memphis and show how the Fever effected the Woodruff-Fontaine House and her owners in particular.

“A Plague of Two Cities” will be held at the Yellow Fever Martyrs Church and Museum, located at 305 E. College Avenue, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, 38635. The event will be held from 6 PM until 8 PM. The event is free to the public, though donations towards the upkeep of our 1840 church are requested. There is free parking along College Avenue outside of the Museum.

If you have further questions or concerns, please email us at phillip@yellowfevermartyrs.com.