Ellington

If you're looking for a way to improve your mind while you satisfy your mid-day hunger, look into History is Lunch, a lecture series from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. All sessions are free to the public with water and coffee provided. All you need to bring is yourself and your lunch.

Started in 2006, MDAH holds the events Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m., usually on the first floor of the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 N. State St.). Some of the talks are held at the Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.).

Topics relate to Mississippi history, life, arts and culture.

Upcoming programs include:

• Feb. 29, MDAH archivist Clarence Hunter presents "The Reverend William Albert Bender of Tougaloo College and the American Missionary Association."
• March 21, Mississippi State University journalist-in-residence Sid Salter presents "Mississippi Government and the New Paradigm: Back to the Future."
• March 28, Mississippi Community College Board executive director Eric Clark presents "The Necessity of Compromise in Preserving a Healthy Democracy."
• April 4, novelist Howard Bahr presents "Anti-Romanticism in Historical Fiction."
• April 11, Jacksonian Vernon Chadwick talks about Natchez and Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
• April 18, vexillologist Clay Moss talks about historic flags in the MDAH collection.
• April 25, Jacksonian Bill Patrick presents "The Truth about Casey Jones."
• May 9, Mississippi Arts Commission director Malcolm White talks about southern culture.