West Tennessee Historical Society facts for kids
The West Tennessee Historical Society (WTHS) is a group that helps keep history alive in West Tennessee. It's a nonprofit group, meaning it doesn't aim to make money. Instead, it focuses on sharing and saving the history of the twenty-one counties in West Tennessee.
The society's main office is in Memphis. It officially started in 1935, but its roots go back much further to other history groups in the area, with the oldest one beginning in 1857. The WTHS publishes books about West Tennessee history and also releases a yearly journal called the West Tennessee Historical Society Papers. This journal shares new research about the region's past. The society also works to protect old buildings and important places in West Tennessee. They keep a collection of historical documents and books at the University of Memphis for people to learn from.
| Abbreviation | WTHS |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Memphis Historical Society |
| Formation | 1935 |
| Purpose | To support history programs, archives, publications, preservation, markers, museums, and other history collections important to West Tennessee. |
| Headquarters | Memphis, Tennessee |
|
Board President
|
Michael Freeman |
|
Executive Director
|
Carol Perel |
Contents
How the Society Started
The West Tennessee Historical Society has a long history. It began with a group called the Old Folks of Shelby County, which started in 1857. This group later joined with others.
Changes Over Time
In 1866, the Old Folks of Shelby County became part of the Confederate Relief and Historical Association. This group changed its name twice more: first to the Confederate Historical Association in 1869, and then to Camp 28 in 1884.
Becoming the WTHS
The Memphis Historical Society took over from Camp 28 in 1900. In 1935, this society decided to focus on the history of all of West Tennessee, not just Memphis. That's when it officially became the West Tennessee Historical Society. Dr. Marshall Wingfield was its first President.
Key Milestones
The society published its first yearly journal, the West Tennessee Historical Society Papers, in 1947. In 1950, the society officially became a corporation. In 1974, the society's collection of historical documents and books moved from the Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium to the University of Memphis.
Saving Historic Places
The WTHS started helping protect important old buildings in 1989. They played a big part in saving the historic John Gray House in Germantown from being torn down. In 1990, the society also helped save the Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island.
What the Society Does
The West Tennessee Historical Society offers many services to help people learn about and preserve history.
Publications and News
Besides its yearly journal, the West Tennessee Historical Society Papers, the society has published several books about West Tennessee history. They also send out a monthly newsletter to keep members updated.
Awards and Recognition
Each year, the society gives an award to a person or group that has made a great effort to preserve or share West Tennessee history.
Historical Markers
The society also keeps a list of all the historical markers in Shelby County. These markers are signs that tell about important historical events or places.
