Ann Ellington-Wagner Receives Museum Volunteer Award

NASHVILLE - Ann Ellington-Wagner, daughter of Gov. and Mrs. Buford Ellington, was recognized as Museum Volunteer of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Museums. She received the Volunteer Award of Excellence at the annual conference which was held in Nashville on March 29-31. Ellington-Wagner coordinated the Preemie Evergreen project with the Tennessee Agricultural Museum.

“The Preemie Evergreen project was a tremendous success benefiting both the Nashville community and our museum,” said Anne Dale, museum director. “Ann is asset to the museum and the community. She is really making a difference.”

In partnership with Baptist Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an evergreen tree was decorated and displayed at the Agricultural Museum with tiny, hand-knitted caps, booties, mittens and blankets—all for premature infants and their families. Over a period of eight months, Ellington-Wagner solicited and organized 26 new museum volunteers who dedicated almost 3,000 hours to make 434 small garments to keep tiny, premature babies warm. She provided patterns and instructions for the project, while generating interest in museum volunteering.

"Many of the new volunteers had never been to the Ellington Ag Center or our museum. It was a heart-warming experience for all of us," said Ellington-Wagner. "I was inspired by the volunteers who were eager to make this happen. This award belongs to them!"

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum will again be decorating another Preemie Evergreen this year. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Tennessee Agricultural Museum at 615-837-5197 for information.

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum, operated by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and located at the Ellington Agricultural Center, has an extensive collection of home and farm artifacts from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Entrance to the museum is free for individuals. Hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on state holidays. For more information, visit http://tnagmuseum.org/.