Friday, December 31, 2010

Delta Heritage Center to join Haslam Inaugural Celebration

In honor of Bill Haslam’s inauguration as the state’s 49th governor, the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is joining with cultural and historical attractions across the state to stay open and offer free admission on Saturday, January 15, 2011.

The theme of the inaugural celebration is “Tennesseans: Working Together, Moving Forward.” In the spirit of this theme, the governor-elect has asked that cultural establishments, tourist attractions, museums and other points of interest open their doors on Inauguration Day at no charge to the public.

“We’d like to offer this day as a time for Tennesseans across the state to come together in the celebration – wherever they are in the state - and take part in our culture, inventions, history and heritage, as a collective people,” says Kim Kaegi, director of the Haslam inaugural team.

Home of Blues Pioneer Sleepy John Estes.
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, located at 121 Sunny Hill Cove behind McDonald’s, will be open from until The Delta Heritage Center is home to three museums that explore the early history of cotton production in West Tennessee, music greats who were born and called West Tennessee home and the scenic Hatchie River, the last wild river of the lower Mississippi. Also located ont he grounds of the Delta Heritage Center is the last home of blues pioneer Sleepy John Estes.

All Tennesseans are encouraged to be a part of this historical event by visiting their local museums. Other museums in Brownsville and Stanton will also participate and include the Haywood County Museum, Haywood County Sports Museum, Felsenthal Lincoln Collection, Dunbar-Carver Museum and the Stanton Welcome Center and Lending Library.

The Haywood County Museum, located at the College Hill Center, 127 North Grand, will be open from The Haywood County Sports Museum and the Felsenthal Lincoln Collection, housed at the Center, will also be available for viewing during this time. College Hill was originally established as the Brownsville Baptist Women's College in 1851 and later became the Haywood County High School.

Dunbar-Carver Museum will extend their hours and will open at until They are located at
709 East Jefferson Street
. The Dunbar-Carver Museum tells the story of African American life in Haywood County through events associated with the one hundred plus year existence of the Dunbar-Haywood County Training-Carver High School.

The Stanton Welcome Center and Lending Library will also open. The Center is located at 49 Main Street in Stanton, and serves as an archive for history and memorabilia for the Town of Stanton, family histories of Stantonians, and digitizes historical photos and stories.

To find other attractions across the state who are paritcipating, visit http://www.billhaslam.net/