Director elected to Tennessee Association of Museums Board

Seventeen West Tennessee museum professionals traveled to Johnson City, Tenn., March 23-25, to attend the Tennessee Association of Museums annual conference. Pictured are: (seated, from left) Nancy Bassett, Collierville, Dian McGuire, Lexington, Barbara Andrews, Memphis, and Norma Steele, Paris; (standing, from left) Tracy Lauritzen Wright, Memphis, Don Bassett, Collierville, Wanda Conger, Parsons, Bill Hickerson, Humboldt, Branson Townsend, Parsons, Renee Moss, Adamsville, Bill Cloar, Dyersburg, Joyce Riddell, Lexington, Danny Walden, Dyersburg, Suzy Herron, Paris, Polly Brasher, Union City, Jestein Lamey, Memphis, and Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Brownsville.

Seventeen West Tennessee museum professionals joined others from across the state for the Tennessee Association of Museums (TAM) annual conference. This year’s event was held in Johnson City, Tenn., March 23-25.

During the annual business meeting, Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, was elected to a two year term on the TAM Board of Directors as an At Large Representative for West Tennessee.

Other West Tennessee representatives elected to serve on the board were Deborah Shaw Laman, Casey Jones Museum, Jackson, and Jacob Shock, Museum of Biblical History, Collierville.

The purpose of TAM is to encourage and improve the practices of museums in the state, to stimulate public interest and promote the exchange of ideas among museums and museum professionals while preserving Tennessee’s cultural, historical and scientific heritage. To learn more about TAM, visit www.tnmuseums.org.

Staff & Volunteers Tour Smithsonian Exhibit

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.

Visit BBCHA website for more details:
http://www.bigblackcreekhistorical.com/1the_smithsonian_museums_traveling_exhibit_in_mercer_tn

Carolyn and Becky

The whole group enjoying the exhibit.

Beth, Landon and Bro. Tim

Bagels and Barbeque opening draws crowd



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 West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center 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 Tennessee State Museum 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 Adas Israel. The meeting includes a short service followed by a program and discussion of local interest.

“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.

Volunteers Honored at Delta Heritage Center Banquet

A new tradition began Friday evening, January 14, 2011, when the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center 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 West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center 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/

Talking about WTDHC on Jackson 24/7

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.

Sonia

Delta Heritage Center Welcomes First Visitor of 2011

Chuck Matthews, of Brownsville, was surprised by a camera flash when he walked into the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center 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.

Signing the Guest Register