Gulfport Museum of History opens Hurricane Katrina photography exhibit

A new exhibit at the Gulfport Museum of History unveiled a collection entitled ‘Katrina Images Revisited.’

“This lady, Carmen, was just off Howard Avenue when I walked up and there was debris everywhere and she was sweeping and cleaning and she had this incredible positive attitude and she said ‘I am karate mamma and I will survive.” James Bates worked for the Sun Herald as a photographer during Hurricane Katrina. The photo he calls ‘Karate Mamma’ is one his favorites in the exhibit.

For him, it captures the fighting spirit of people determined to rebuild what Katrina destroyed. “I think we’ve come back in a tremendous way. It’s a testament to our people, those who have stayed, those who have come back, those who moved here after the storm and joined in on the fight. We have a great community and we have come along way from a really incredible disaster.”

The theme of resiliency is apparent throughout the exhibit’s photographs. There’s also heroism. The collection features first responders in action, saving lives. Many of the photos are from Harrison County Fire Chief Pat Sullivan. He documented the damage while he worked with Gulfport Fire. “What we always call ourselves are victim rescuers. We were victims, but we were rescuing at the same time. We were all in the same boat. It’s really emotional. You come in and look at it and you remember what was going on at that particular time and you remember what you were feeling and the people around you were feeling.”

The historical society members hope the exhibit reminds us how far we’ve come and what we’ve been through together.

If you would like to view the exhibit it will be on display at the Gulfport Museum of History. They’re open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.