2008 Director's Award for Preservation of Mississippi Culture The Director's Award for the Preservation of Mississippi Culture recognizes an individual or organization for extraordinary efforts to protect and promote the cultural traditions and assets of the state. The 2008 award went to Mr. Charles Sullivan for his intense efforts to preserve artifacts and memorabilia on the Mississippi Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. His efforts saved two photograph collections, in particular, which would have been destroyed if not for his dedication to preserving them.