Meigs County Historical Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Location | 200 Smith Ave Decatur, Tennessee, United States |
| Type | History museum |
| Owner | Meigs County Historical Society |
The Meigs County Historical Museum is a cool place in Decatur, Tennessee, where you can learn all about the history of Meigs County! It's run by the Meigs County Historical Society. This museum opened its doors in July 2002.
Contents
Discovering Meigs County History
Inside the museum, you'll discover lots of interesting things. They keep many old county records and family papers, which are like clues to the past! One special thing you can always see is a big painting, called a mural. This mural shows what Main Street in Decatur looked like way back in the 1930s. A local artist named Bill McDonald painted it, and it helps bring history to life!
A Special Quilt About Meigs County History
Did you know there's a huge, amazing quilt at the museum? In 1985, a group called the Meigs County Family and Community Education (FCE) Club started making this quilt. They wanted to celebrate the early history of Meigs County for a state project called "Tennessee Homecoming 1986."
What the Quilt Shows
The quilt is very special because it has pictures of fourteen different places that are important to Meigs County's early history. The main design, including a map of the area, was created by Flossie Bennett. She was a longtime leader of the FCE. A group of people from different towns in the county decided which places would be shown on the quilt.
Important Places on the Quilt
Some of the historic sites you can see on the quilt include:
- The Elisha Sharp House (built around 1825)
- The Stewart House (from 1830)
- The R.H. Johnson Stable
- The Mount Zion Church and Cemetery (from 1830)
- Zeigler's Mill (from 1850)
- The Washington Ferry (started in 1808)
- The Pisah Church (from 1818)
- The old gymnasium (around 1822)
- The old Meigs County Courthouse (built in 1904)
- The old Volunteer Electric Cooperative Building (from 1935)
- The Ashley House (from 1885)
- The Sam Eaves Store (around 1861)
A Nod to Local Cattle
Someone named Nell Jeannette Fields Worth also made sure that pictures of Hereford cattle were added all over the quilt. Why? Because Meigs County is famous for its beef cattle!
Quilt's Journey and Award
This incredible quilt won an award for "Best Original Design" at a quilt show. It was first shown at the Meigs-Decatur Public Library. Since 2010, you can find this beautiful piece of history hanging right in the Meigs County Historical Museum for everyone to enjoy!
