November 5, 2021, Carriage Lane Reception House
(MURFREESBORO, CARRIAGE LANE RECEPTION HOUSE) An organization that is dedicated to preserving facts, photos and memorabilia from past generations gathered Friday night (11/5/2021) at Carriage Lane Inn for its 2021 Awards Dinner. The Rutherford County Historical Society had the exchanging of the gavel as outgoing 3-term President Walter White presented the instrument to Pettus Read.
Read shared memories of Uncle Sid and Aunt Sadie, a couple that he wrote about in a syndicated newspaper column many years ago.
He painted a word picture, telling how the couple lived in a little white rural home with a gingerbread design across the front and a swing on the porch. They would give real-life philosophies of how to make it through challenges, bring people together as well as strengthening trust and relationships.
The county commissioner, who is also now president of the historical society, related memories of why Uncle Sid and Aunt Sadie proved the importance of preserving history.
MATHENY AWARD
This is named to honor the late Jim Matheny who contributed much to the society’s historical documentation. Eagleville’s Bobbie Sue Shelton was the honoree. She is that community’s historian and co-wrote the book A Step Back In Time tells the history of Eagleville.
The Presidential Award in the category went to Curtis Parrish
CANNONSBURGH AWARD
Cannonsburgh was the name of the small community that preceded a name change to Murfreesboro. This year’s recipient is Mary Watkins with the African-American Historical Society of Rutherford County. Among other historical quests, this group is partnering with MTSU and Oaklands Mansion to do research the history of that plantation’s slave society and mark that population’s burial sites, believed to be near Section M of what is now the Evergreen Cemetery.
The Presidential Award in the category went to Andy and Lori Jones.
ROBERT RAGLAND AWARD
The late Bob Ragland and his wife Sue were devoted history buffs. This couple provided much financial support from Oaklands Mansion, Stones River Battlefield and the Sam Davis Home.
The Community Award winner is Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron who is preserving history with a complete renovation of the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse.
The Presidential Award in the category went to Tom Hoover.
ELIZA RANSOM APPRECIATION OF SERVICE AWARD
It honors those who go beyond in preserving local history as did the Ransom sisters, Eliza and Belle, who graduated many leaders from their one-room Miss Eliza Ransom’s Private School from 1907-1930. By the way, they never had more than 12 students and tuition was $8 per month.
The Community Award winner is Bart Walker from WGNS. They were appreciative of the radio station’s history of promoting activities of the Rutherford County Historical Society as well as in-depth coverage of local history topics.
The Presidential Award in this category went to Pettus Read.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This goes to a person who has given their lifetime to researching area history and working to preserve historic treasures. It was presented posthumously to John B. “Bubba” Woodfin. The conversation included how his family continues to share with such things as a portion of fence line that was original to the courthouse.
The Presidential Award in the category went Carol White.
For more information about the Rutherford County Historical Society, visit their website: www.rutherfordtnhistory.org. The public is encouraged to support the society by joining the organization. Family membership is only $25, and dues run on a calendar year (January 1 – December 31).