Borden Milk Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Borden Powdered Milk Plant
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | S. Main St., Fayetteville, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001060 |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1988 |
The Borden Milk Plant, now known as the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Museum, is a special historic building in Fayetteville, Tennessee. It used to be a busy factory where milk was processed into different dairy products. Today, it's a museum that teaches visitors about the history of the area.
Contents
A Historic Milk Factory
The Borden Company built this large milk plant in 1927. Its main job was to turn fresh milk into butter and powdered milk. This factory was one of the first big industrial places built by a major U.S. company in the southern states after the American Civil War.
Helping Farmers and the Community
The plant was very important for the economy of Lincoln County and the nearby areas. During the Great Depression (a time in the 1930s when many people lost their jobs and money), the factory was the only place where local farmers could get cash for their milk. In its first month, it paid farmers $25,000!
At its busiest time, the plant had 75 employees. It bought milk from over 1,200 dairy farmers in the area. Local hog farmers even used a leftover liquid called whey from the milk processing to feed their hogs.
Products and Closure
Later on, the plant also started making cottage cheese from skimmed milk. During World War II, it helped the U.S. military by supplying dried eggs and dried milk.
The milk processing plant closed its doors in 1962. In 1988, the building was recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the "Borden Powdered Milk Plant."
The Museum Today
The Fayetteville-Lincoln County Museum is now located inside the old milk plant. It has a huge space, about 33,000 square feet, for its exhibits.
What You Can See at the Museum
A big part of the museum focuses on the history of farming in the local area. You can also see a large collection of items made by Native American people. There's even an electric train display! Another special exhibit shows items related to the military career of U.S. Admiral Frank Kelso, who grew up in Fayetteville.
