From 1938 until 1953 there was no active Mississippi Historical Society except for the publication of the Journal of Mississippi History begun in 1939 by Dr. W. D. McCain. This collection consists of general correspondence, 1953–1969; minutes of the Board of Directors; financial records; and correspondence relative to the publication of the Journal. There are also membership rosters, 1942–1962, and miscellaneous material extracted from the Department Subject File.