Tennessee Preservation Trust donates "Historic Tennessee" to local libraries

The Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT) and West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center presented the Elma Ross Public Library with a copy of Historic Tennessee on Monday, November 7, 2011. Presenting the book to Librarian Katherine Horn are (from left) Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Horn, and TPT Board members Susan Sills and Billy King.

Historian Billy King also presented Horn with a copy of his recent book Big Black Creek, Vol. 1. The book tells about the important preservation work being done by the Big Black Creek Historical Association in Madison and Haywood County.

Historic Tennessee and Big Black Creek, Vol. 1 were also presented to the Haywood High School Library. Pictured with the books are HHS Librarian Julie Dahlhauser and Library Assistant Justin Kemper.

The Tennessee Preservation Trust is committed to placing a copy of Historic Tennessee, their recent publication that commemorates the state’s rich historical and architectural heritage, in each college and high school library in Tennessee. In partnership with the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, the book was recently donated to the Haywood High School Library and the Elma Ross Public Library.

Historic Tennessee features 300 color photographs by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Robin Hood and the moving words of nationally esteemed history writer James A. Crutchfield. The book showcases ninety sites significant to the drama of Tennessee’s colorful past– from upper East Tennessee to the Mississippi River. Tennessee Preservation Trust would like all students to have access to this great resource. The book is available at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

The Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT) is a membership-based statewide non-profit historic preservation education and advocacy organization. Headquartered in Nashville, TPT represents thousands of the state's heritage supporters through its individual members and organizational affiliates. We strive to be the critical link for the state's diverse heritage community. Our organization helps monitor and promote preservation-friendly legislation at the local, state, and federal levels, and assists citizens across the state with advocacy issues pertaining to specific historic sites—as well as historic districts and zoning issues. TPT has a committed staff, an active board of directors, and many dedicated volunteers throughout Tennessee.

Delta Heritage Center welcomes Billy King for book signing

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, Tenn., will host its annual Holiday Open House Sunday, December 4, from 1-4 p.m. The Center also welcomes Historian Billy King for a special program and book signing of his new release Big Black Creek, Vol. 1.

King is president of the Big Black Creek Historical Association (BBCHS) and recently published his first book about the history and people of the Big Black Creek area. The book takes you on a journey from 1000 AD to the present day with both historical facts and witty observances.

Open House attendees will be treated to a short talk by King beginning at 2 p.m., after which he will autograph copies of his book. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to further the association's preservation work.

The Big Black Creek is a waterway that figured prominently in the early settlement of the area around Denmark, Tenn. King, along with 28 other community members, formed the BBCHA in 2006 to identify, preserve and promote historical sites within a ten mile radius of the creek. This area includes the communities of Denmark, Mercer, Leighton and Woodland, all in west Madison and east Haywood Counties. It also includes Britton Lane and a good portion of the book touches on the effect the Civil War had on these communities. For more information, visit the Big Black Creek website at www.bigblackcreekhistorical.com.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is a tourist information center and regional museum located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56 in Brownsville, Tenn. For more information, call 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com.

“Journey Stories” comes to Mercer

Kathryn and Ray Dixon were among several Brownsville residents who toured the Smithsonian exhibit “Journey Stories” Sunday, February 27, in Mercer, Tenn.

"Journey Stories,” a Smithsonian traveling exhibit, is the tales of how we came to America. From Native Americans to new American citizens, our history is filled with stories of people leaving behind everything – families and possessions – to reach a new life in another state, across the continent, or even across an ocean.

The Big Black Creek Historical Association (BBCHA) in Mercer, Tenn., is one of only six Tennessee museums, and the smallest venue according to the Smithsonian's staff, to be awarded the privilege of displaying this exhibit.

Journey Stories opened Sunday, February 27, at the Pennington Building, and will be on display Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sundays 2 - 5 p.m., through April 3. The exhibit can also be viewed by appointment weekdays and evenings by calling 731-427-7897 or 731-234-3497.

Several weekend events are planned as compliments to the exhibit beginning with the showing of the movie “Gone with the Wind” Saturday, March 5, at the Ebenezer Church building. For more information about this, the exhibit and other activities, visit: www.bigblackcreekhistorical.com.