Delta State University President William N. LaForge and First Lady Nancy LaForge recently visited historic Dockery Farms, widely regarded as the place where Delta blues music was born. They were hosted by Delta State Professor Emeritus of Art and Coordinator for the Dockery Farms Foundation Bill Lester and his wife Tennie. The President and First Lady toured the facility and visited with the Lesters, discussing ways Delta State University and Dockery Farms have partnered in the past and goals for future partnerships, including LaForge’s plans for the establishment of an international blues conference hosted by Delta State.
“We were extremely pleased to have President LaForge and Nancy visit Dockery Farms,” said Bill Lester. “It was a great opportunity for us to get reacquainted and to show President LaForge all that Dockery Farms has to offer.”
Dockery Farms was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, and hosts private tours, lectures, and events in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Delta State University, and other academic and cultural institutions.