Over 20 staff and volunteers toured the Smithsonian Exhibit "Journey Stories" in Mercer, Tenn.
The Center's staff and volunteers were treated to a special viewing of the Smithsonian Exhibit "Journey Stories" Monday, February 28.
Mr. Billy telling stories on the way to Mercer.
Traveling by bus, we headed to Mercer compliments of the Big Black Creek Historical Association. Our tour guide was Mr. Billy King.
Mary, Marcina and Sandra
The exhibit traces our migration from the Native Americans to present day. What really makes this exhibit special is the companion pieces put together by the BBCHA and the fact that Mercer is the smallest venue a Smithsonian exhibit has been.
Nina, Kathy and Janet
The exhibit will be on display for public viewing on Fridays and Saturdays, 10-5; and Sunday, 2-5, through April 3.
David Levy (left) and Fred Silverstein talk about their ancestors and how they came to Brownsville during the opening reception of “Bagels and Barbeque: The Jewish Experience in Tennessee” February 4, 2011. Levy is a descendant of the Felsenthal and Sternberger families. Silverstein is a descendent of the Tamm family. Both families operated businesses in Brownsville for many years.
“Bagels and Barbeque: The Jewish Experience in Tennessee” officially opened Friday, February 4, at the WestTennesseeDeltaHeritageCenter with a reception hosted by First Friday Forum.
More than 60 attendees enjoyed sampling a combination of foods, including bagels and barbecue, while browsing the exhibit and learning more about the contributions the Jewish community has made to Tennessee since the early 1800s. The exhibit includes information and artifacts on loan from both the Brownsville and Jackson communities.
Dr. Candace Adelson, a senior curator with the TennesseeStateMuseum and coordinating curator of this exhibit, was on hand to share the purpose of the exhibit and some interesting facts of how the exhibit was put together.
David Levy and Fred Silverstein shared stories of their ancestors and how they came to settle in Brownsville. Jewish families such as the Tamms and Felsenthals owned many of Brownsville’s early businesses.
Dr. Pam Dennis, curator of the Jackson exhibit, shared the impact that the yellow fever epidemic had on both the Jackson and Brownsville Jewish community.
The exhibit will be on display until March 27 and is free to the public. First Friday Forum is a group of citizens who met on the first Friday of each month at Temple AdasIsrael. The meeting includes a short service followed by a program and discussion of local interest.
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 PenningtonBuilding, and will be on display Fridays and Saturdays, , and Sundays , 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 EbenezerChurch building. For more information about this, the exhibit and other activities, visit: www.bigblackcreekhistorical.com.
A new tradition began Friday evening, January 14, 2011, when the WestTennesseeDeltaHeritageCenter hosted its first annual Volunteer Banquet.
“You are the reason this Center has been successful,” Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark told those gathered. “Without you, we could not have accomplished so much this year.”
Collectively, the volunteers have donated 629 hours since March 2010. The Center has also hosted 37 tours and 45 meetings. Another first for the Center was the implementation of a summer concert series entitled “Concert on the Porch.”
Volunteers honored are (from left) Jean Avery, Hope Cannon, Alma Jarrett, Patsy Hardister, Marcina Harris, Andy Wynn, PAtsy Goin, D.A. Eaton, joe Moody and Holly Haak.
Clark began soliciting volunteers during a presentation to the local Exchange Club in January 2010. After a very positive response from that group, plans for extended hours and days began March 1. The change in hours along with the installation of two billboards on Interstate 40, resulted in an immediate increase in traffic.
The volunteers commit to four hours a month and many give much more. They help to man the Center on weekends, relieve employees at lunch during the week and help out at special events such as the summer concerts.
As Clark presented each certificate, she described the unique qualities that each volunteer brings to the Center and the importance of the interaction among volunteers and visitors. Clark also recognized employees and Advisory Board members at the event.
An Outstanding Volunteer Award was given to the volunteer who had given the most hours. The recipient of this award was Marcina Harris. Harris has given more than 89 hours since last March.
Marcina Harris (left) is present the Outstanding Volunteer Award by Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. Harris gave more than 89 hours during 2010.
Guest speaker for the evening was Billy King. King is president of the Big Black Creek Historical Association and shared the accomplishments his group has made restoring historical locations in Mercer and Denmark, Tenn.
Billy King, president of Big Black Creek Historical Association, tells attendees about all the happenings in Mercer and Denmark, Tenn.
Another special treat during the evening included a special meal catered by the Haywood High School Culinary Arts class. The class, under the direction of Pam Stephens, prepared and served the meal to the crowd of about 40 people.
Haywood High School Culinary Arts students prepared and served the meal. Pictured are (front, from left) Brooklyn Walker, Morgan Currie, Bria Wade, Patra Cooper and Kadesha Johnson;and (back, from left) Tereon Taylor, Darius Bufford, Stephen McCuller, Leah Smith and James Steele.
For more information about the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center Volunteer Program, contact Clark at 731-779-9000.
The WestTennesseeDeltaHeritageCenter is located at 121 Sunny Hill Cove, Interstate 40 at Exit 56, in Brownsville, Tenn. Learn more about the Center by visiting http://www.westtnheritage.com/
Yesterday was a first for me ... the first time to shoot a tv appearance.
The station is JEA's Eplus TV 6. The episode will air Wednesday, January 5, at noon, 5:30 and 10 p.m. View it online at http://eplustv6.com/
Kara was my interviewer and we talked about the Delta Heritage Center and our upcoming exhibit Bagels and Barbeque. The traveling exhibit opens at the Center January 27.
Kara interviewing me for Jackson 24/7
Lots of fun and I loved the experience. Thanks to my friend Deborah Laman, marketing director at The Old Country Store in Jackson, for inviting me. And thank you Kara and Steve Beverly for being patient with my inexperience.
Chuck Matthews, of Brownsville, was surprised by a camera flash when he walked into the WestTennesseeDeltaHeritageCenter Saturday, January 1. His New Year’s Day visit earned him the honor of being the first visitor of the year. Along with the recognition, he also received a University of Tennessee birdhouse. Pictured with Matthews are staff members Mary Hines (left) and Peggy Jones.
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 WestTennesseeDeltaHeritageCenter, located at 121 Sunny Hill Cove behind McDonald’s, will be open from until The DeltaHeritageCenter 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 HatchieRiver, 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 HaywoodCountyMuseum, HaywoodCountySportsMuseum, Felsenthal Lincoln Collection, Dunbar-CarverMuseum and the StantonWelcomeCenter and Lending Library.
The HaywoodCountyMuseum, located at the CollegeHillCenter, 127 North Grand, will be open from The HaywoodCountySportsMuseum 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 HaywoodCountyHigh School.
Dunbar-CarverMuseum will extend their hours and will open at until They are located at 709 East Jefferson Street. The Dunbar-CarverMuseum tells the story of African American life in HaywoodCounty through events associated with the one hundred plus year existence of the Dunbar-HaywoodCountyTraining-CarverHigh 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.
