Cultural Heritage Program Planned
To Benefit Matt Gardner Museum

The Giles Heritage Theater will be the site of An Evening of Cultural Heritage, a benefit for the Matt Gardner Homestead Museum on Saturday, September 30. The program will be from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Giles Heritage Theater located in the First National Bank in Pulaski.

Economic and Educational Advantages of Promoting African-American Sites will be the theme of the evening. Speakers will include Hardin Franklin, educator and Giles County resident; Nancy Vaughan, retired educator and former education director, Bradley Academy Museum & Cultural Center, Murfreesboro, TN; Pearl Bransford, tourism and marketing, Natchez Street Historic District and McLemore Historic House Museum, Franklin, TN.

The main purpose for this event is to make everyone, particularly African-Americans in and around the Giles County area, aware that they may have a story to share with others in their communities, state and even America.  We have heard about the contributions James K. Polk, Sam Davis and David Crockett made to the south and Tennessee. We know the contributions that African-Americans have made to history such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and others.  But what about other African-Americans that contributed to the shaping of the south, Tennessee and Giles County?

“Anyone who has a historical story about a person, church, school or farm is encouraged to attend, share and tell the whole story of Giles County Tennessee,” said Carla Jones, president of the Matt Gardner Museum.  “It would be great to pull together these sites for a walking or driving tour.  These sites as a walking tour would be a great resource for local and surrounding school age children to go and learn about the contributions African-Americans and their families, churches, schools and farmlands made to their community.  These walking tours could also be used by historians, educators and researchers,” Jones added.

Many times during the year people from all around the world as well as states surrounding Tennessee, particularly black church groups, schools, tour buses and families criss-cross the south on their way to family reunions and other destinations looking for African-American sites to show and tell their children about their African-American ancestry, history and the old way of life.  In other cases it’s the older individual who just wants to stop in or by to reminisce about the simple but amazing days and times. Again all are encouraged to come out and learn how to preserve and tell your story. Learn how to partner with other sites to create and market a walking tour that can turn into tourism dollars and promote community revitalization and provide community improvements.  There will also be information on nominating your church, school or farm to the National Register of Historic Places.

This event is sponsored, in part, by the Center for Historic Preservation and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area at Middle Tennessee State University. The program will include hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by The Morning Glory Choir from Morning Star Baptist Church in Nashville. Tickets are $25.00.

The Matt Gardner Homestead was listed on the National Registry of Historical Places for its significance in African American ethnic heritage, agriculture, commerce and architecture from 1870 to 1942. The farm provides for the interpretation of a variety of significant historical topics including; slavery, emancipation, reconstruction, education, religion, architecture and agriculture. It is located at 110 Dixontown Road in Elkton, TN.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, contact Diana at the Giles County Tourism Foundation at 931/363-3789, ext. 2.