Tennessee Historical Commission Announces Certificate of Merit Awards

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Historical Commission has announced 21 recipients of its 2009 Certificate of Merit Awards. The awards program, begun by the Commission in 1975, recognizes individuals or groups throughout the state that have worked to conserve or highlight Tennessee’s cultural heritage during the past year. The awards recognize historic preservation projects as well as work in the field of history.

“From a 100-year-old country store that has been restored as the symbol of a small town’s revitalization, to a multi-million dollar state-of-the art exhibit showcasing the story of East Tennessee, this year’s diverse awards honor those working to protect and advance Tennessee’s unique history,” said Patrick McIntyre, executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Recipients of the 2009 Certificate of Merit Awards are:

• The Trail of Tears Association, Tennessee Chapter, Spencer / Van Buren County – In recognition of the group’s efforts to document trail-associated sites across the state. 

• Retired History Teacher Van Lynch, Dyer / Gibson County – For her long-time advocacy of Native
  American culture and history and her service as past chair of the Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs.  

• Tomm Brady, Bell Buckle / Bedford County – For his restoration of the 1870s Readyville Mill in Cannon County, which had been abandoned for more than 20 years. Brady’s future goals include opening the mill for public enjoyment.  

• Sutton General Store, Granville / Jackson County – Honoring Harold Sutton and the Granville Museum board and volunteers. Sutton spent approximately $200,000 toward restoring the long-vacant c. 1880 Sutton General Store before donating it to the museum. More than 50 volunteers worked to complete the restoration. The store reopened in April as the Granville Museum, Inc. and Granville Arts and Cultural Center. The store is a major draw for heritage tourism locally. 

• Dr. Douglas Heffington, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro / Rutherford County – In recognition of his long-standing work with students on cultural heritage projects at Radnor Lake, including the identification and registration of archaeological sites in the area and an oral history project.  

• Bill Carey, Nashville / Davidson County – For his innovative and immensely popular Tennessee History for Kids program, an interactive educational Web site begun in 2004 that features stories, quizzes and virtual tours highlighting the state’s heritage.   

• Historian Lorene Smith, Maryville / Blount County – For her work to preserve Blount County’s history, including serving as the county historian and co-authoring Blount County Remembered. 

• B. Kenneth Cornett, Rockford / Blount County – For his work as chair of the Blount County Historical Museum, including clearing historic cemeteries, developing a Civil War exhibit, and co-authoring a local book on the history of Blount County’s dairy farms.  

• Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend / Blount County – Founded in 2001, the center has completed a $3.5 million museum celebrating mountain heritage, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokees and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Recognition also includes the center’s efforts during the annual Winter Heritage Week. 

• Airplane Filling Station Association, Powell / Knox County – Recognizing the association’s ongoing work to restore this roadside landmark. As the name implies, it is a 1930s-era former gas station shaped like an airplane and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The group has stabilized the building and continues to raise funds for its rehabilitation.

• Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, Pall Mall / Fentress County – Recognizing the group’s ongoing efforts to save the original York Institute building, which was established by World War I hero Alvin C. York and opened in 1929. The school had been threatened by demolition by the state before the Foundation took over the structure and committed to oversee the stabilization of the building.  

• Mayor John B. Mullinix, Jamestown / Fentress County – As Fentress County Executive, Mayor Mullinix has been a vocal and dedicated leader who has championed the effort to save the original York Institute building in Jamestown.  

• Dr. Michael Birdwell, Cookeville / Putnam County – For his work to save York Institute and as a recognized scholar specializing in the study of Sgt. Alvin C. York’s life. 

• Ray Harding and the Robert E. Lee School Association, Paris / Henry County – In recognition of their successful work to transform the former “Ten in Tennessee” endangered one-time school building into a vibrant center for arts.  

• Chooch Pickard and Court Square Partners, Memphis / Shelby County – Honoring architect and developers who recently completed the $20 million dollar rehabilitation of the former c. 1886 Lowenstein Department Store and adjacent 1931 Lincoln-American Tower in Memphis.  

• Bob and Teresa Kelly, Lawrenceburg / Lawrence County – In recognition of the Kelly's restoration efforts of the long-vacant c. 1910 Queen Anne-style Garrett House, one of Lawrenceburg’s most notable historic homes.  

• Jaime Trotter, Wildwood, Georgia – Honoring her National Register nomination of the McNabb Mines (Shake Rag) site in Marion County and for her ongoing work to help save this important 19th century historic site.  

• Martha Carver, Nashville / Davidson County – In recognition of Carver’s many years of service and professionalism as Historic Preservation Manager for the Tennessee Department of Transportation; and to commemorate the publication of her long-awaited comprehensive book Tennessee’s Survey Report for Historic Highway Bridges, compiled, in part, from Carver’s preparation or supervision of more than 3,000 architectural survey reports. 

• East Tennessee Historical Society, Knoxville / Knox County – In recognition of the Society’s new $3 million dollar, 8,000-square-foot exhibit “Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee,” which traces East Tennessee pre-history and history. The exhibit opened last summer at the Society’s museum in Knoxville.

• John Oliver, Hartsville / Trousdale County – Recognizing Oliver’s long-time service as county historian and author of articles and books on Trousdale County. 

• Alex Brandau, Knoxville / Knox County – For the Nashville resident's restoration of the long-neglected c. 1825 Williams House in Knoxville, which was listed two years ago as one of Knox Heritage’s “Fragile Fifteen” endangered places. Formerly owned by the state, Brandau bought the Williams House to save his ancestral home. The builders also are the ancestors of playwright Tennessee Williams.