Dates: 1966-1985.

Biography/History:

Dix Arthur Fowler was born in Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, on December 25, 1925. He was the son of Arthur P. and Dix (Dixie) Mock Fowler. The Fowlers lived at Montpelier, the family home near Natchez. On January 5, 1963, Dix Arthur Fowler married Jane Gaines Wood, who was formerly of Boyle, Bolivar County, Mississippi. She had two adult sons, Fernie Wood, Jr., and Stanley Coates Wood, from a previous marriage. The couple lived on the Adams County farm, Twilight Hill. Fowler worked as a contractor specializing in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings in the Natchez area. Major projects included work on Brandon Hall, Elms Court, Kings Tavern, Longwood, Ravenna, Rosalie, and Rosemont (Wilkinson County). He was also a member of the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Fowler served as a junior and senior warden, licensed lay reader, and vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez. He was also a member of the executive committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and the board of management of the Duncan Gray Center. Fowler died on August 5, 1985, and was interred at the Natchez City Cemetery.

 

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of twenty diaries (and accompanying material) kept by Dix Arthur Fowler of Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi. Some of the entries are quite long, and Fowler notes this fact and continues the entry in the back of the volume. The diaries begin on February 20, 1966, and continue with daily entries throughout the remaining nineteen volumes until May 24, 1985, approximately two months before Fowlers death on August 5, 1985. They record events related to Fowlers work as a historic preservation contractor. Fowler discusses visits to various job sites, including such historic buildings as Brandon Hall, Elms Court, Kings Tavern, Longwood, Ravenna, Rosalie, and Rosemont. He mentions trips to purchase building supplies and meetings with homeowners about building plans. Fowler describes and occasionally sketches the personal or job-related woodworking projects he is engaged in, such as building cabinets, beam casings, and fireplace surrounds. These entries often include descriptions of architectural details or the type of wood used on a specific project. Also recounted are various social and religious activities of Fowler and his wife, Jane. Topics include parties with family and friends and meetings related to Fowlers work with Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez or the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.

 

Series Identification:

Series 1: Diaries. 1966-1985. 20 bound volumes.

Boxes 1-2

 

Box List:

Box 1: 1966-1969; 1979; 1983; 1985 (8 volumes).

Box 2: 1971-1978; 1980-1982; 1984 (12 volumes).