The Rural Heritage Trust area, also known as
“The Crescent” is loaded with historical
properties, homes, museums, community groups and
historical organizations that preserve and
promote the history of the area. Many are open
to the public, for a monthly meeting or
visitation. Please contact any of the below
prior to a visit.
Association For The Preservation of Tennessee
Antiquities
- Arlington Chapter
www.arlingtonapta.org
APTA (Association for the Preservation of
Tennessee Antiquities) is a statewide nonprofit
historic preservation organization established
in 1951. The Arlington Chapter, chartered on May
21, 1979, promotes and preserves Arlington
history through five historic sites maintained
by the Chapter (Historic Post Office, Blacksmith
Shop, Rachel H.K.Burrow Museum, Harrell Farm Log
Cabin, and Holy Innocents Church, Cemetery and
Meditation Garden) and through community
activities. For membership and more information,
email Apta.arlington.tn@gmail.com
|
Bartlett Historical Society
www.facebook.com/Bartlett-Historical-Society-Bartlett-TN
Home for the Bartlett Historical Society and
Bartlett Museum is the Gotten House, 2969 Court
Street in the historic Bartlett area. Nicholas
Gotten, a native of Spangdahlem, Germany,
immigrated to America at age 22, and worked up
north before coming to Tennessee. He settled in
the Union Depot area (future Bartlett) in 1860
and established himself as a blacksmith. The
Bartlett Museum is open on the first and third
Sundays of each month from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Admission is free. Artifacts, photographs,
period furniture and written files on the
history of Bartlett are on display.
|
Daughters of the American Revolution – Zachariah
Davies Chapter
tndar.org/~zachariahdavies
The Zachariah Davies Chapter, National Society
Daughters of the American Revolution, was
organized on October 3, 1945 by Ellen Davies
Rodgers as organizing Regent. While the charter
is Brunswick, Tennessee, we serve Northeast
Memphis, Shelby County including Arlington,
Cordova, Lakeland and surrounding areas. The
National Society Daughters of the American
Revolution is a non-profit volunteer women's
organization founded over 100 years ago on the
principles of service in education, patriotism,
and historic preservation. The DAR offers an
opportunity to work with youth through
educational programs; offers encouragement to
become active in the community, to assist in
historic preservation, and to help preserve
important documents and records of the past.
|
Davies Manor Historic Site
www.daviesmanor.org
The mission of the Davies Manor
Historic Site is
to preserve and enhance Davies Manor
as a portrayal of early Shelby County farm life
for the education and enjoyment of visitors. The
Manor house, placed on the National Register of
Historic Places in 1975, features tours of rooms
of furniture of early American living and farm
life. Hillwood Hall is a rustic setting
available for weddings, receptions and parties
year round. In May 1998, Davies Manor was
certified by the National Wildlife Federation.
The Plantation area is an official Backyard
Wildlife Habitat providing the four basic
habitat elements needed for wildlife to thrive:
food, water, cover, and places to raise young.
The Manor House, one of the oldest residences in
Shelby County, is open April-October,
Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Several other historic cabins are featured in
the wooded 37 acres, along with wildlife,
trails, a Class 2 arboretum, goats, bees and
gardens. 3570 Davieshire Drive, Bartlett
(901-386-0715).
|
Descendants of Early Settlers of Shelby County &
Adjoining Counties
www.facebook.com/pg/DESSCAC/posts
Settlement of the counties of Shelby, Fayette
and Tipton in Tennessee, of Crittenden in
Arkansas, and of DeSoto in Mississippi began in
earnest around 1820, during a period known as
the Era of Good feelings because of unbridled
optimism and lessened sectional and political
strife. The Descendants of Early Settlers of
Shelby County & Adjoining Counties organization
was formed 1972 with interest in those with
ancestry in this area prior to 1871. For
membership information and an application,
please go to https://earlysettlers.wordpress.com/124-2/
|
Fayette County Historical Society
www.fayettecountyhistorical.org
The Fayette County Historical Society was
chartered as a nonprofit corporation in July
1971 to discover, collect, preserve and make
accessible to the public materials which
establish and illustrate the history of the
county, its cities, towns, villages.
|
Germantown Charity Horse Show
www.gchs.org
Begun in 1948, the Germantown Charity Horse Show
is one of the longest-running all-breed horse
shows in the nation - for locals and
out-of-towners, young and old, new to horses and
old timers. Expect to be amazed at the beautiful
horses, skillful riders and fun crowds. From
hunter jumpers (yes, jumping over fences) to
carriage driving and Gypsy Vanner horses, and
from American Saddlebred to Paso Fino classes,
one will see a variety of horses and riding
styles. The show benefits Kindred Place
(formerly known as the Exchange Club Family
Center of Memphis) and has contributed to local
education programs. The Germantown Charity Horse
Show is a U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage
Competition, giving it national recognition for
its contribution to the community and to the
sport. All events are held at the Germantown
Charity Show Grounds, 7745 Poplar Pike in
Germantown (901-754-0009).
|
Germantown Historical Commission
www.germantown-tn.gov/government/city-boards-commissions/historic
The Germantown Historic Commission provides for
the development and preservation of historic
documents, structures, areas, oral history,
pictorial history and other materials deemed
essential to the historic significance of the
City of Germantown. Meetings are the fourth
Tuesday of each month at 4:00p.m. at the
Tennessee Genealogical Center, 7779 Poplar Pike.
The commission consists of ten members appointed
by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. For
more information, contact Natalie Ruffin at
NRuffin@Germantown-TN.gov or (901) 757-7205.
|
Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center
www.germantown-tn.gov/play/germantown-regional-history-and-genealogy-center
Organized in 1947, the Tennessee Genealogical
Society (TNGS) received its charter from the
State of Tennessee in 1952 and has been
continuously publishing since 1954. TNGS is a
non-profit, tax-exempt organization, completely
staffed by volunteers. The society is presently
located in the historic area of Old Germantown
with offices and lecture rooms adjacent to the
Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center
(GRHGC). The purpose of TNGS is creating and
maintaining an organization and a society for
the study and investigation of genealogical
history and genealogical records, while
receiving and collecting genealogical and
historical records and preserving such records
in libraries and archives.
7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown 901-754-4300
|
Lynching Sites Project of Memphis
www.lynchingsitesmem.org
The Lynching Sites Project of Memphis is part of a growing network of people who want the whole and accurate truth to be told about the history of Shelby County. We believe that we can heal and grow in understanding when we face openly the history of racial violence in our community. In this work, we join with the national effort of the Equal Justice Initiative to memorialize over 4,000 known lynchings in our country between 1877 and 1950. The Mission Statement is that the Lynching Sites Project of Memphis collaborates with others to cultivate courageous conversations and programs that uncover the whole truth of racial terror and violence and change the narrative in Shelby County, leading to understanding, compassion, and healing, while working toward racial equality and justice. the sites of these lynchings and place a memorial at each one.
www.facebook.com/lynchingsitesmem
|
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
www.tnstateparks.com/parks/meeman-shelby
Bordering the Mighty Mississippi River,
two-thirds of this 12,539-acre park is
bottomland hardwood forests of large oak,
cypress, and tupelo. The park contains two
lakes, 18 miles of hiking trails, disc golf
course, a five-mile bike trail, and beautiful
picnic areas and playgrounds. A boat ramp is
maintained on the Mississippi River. Deer,
turkey, beaver, foxes, and more than 200 species
of birds and other wildlife are abundant. The
park is named for Edward J. Meeman, courageous
conservation editor of Scripps-Howard newspapers
who helped establish this park, as well as the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In keeping
with Meeman’s beliefs on conservation and
education, the park’s Nature Center has live
reptile and raptor displays as well as touch
tables, crafts, and a variety of programs,
including pontoon boat trips, deep swamp canoe
floats and guided hikes.
910 Riddick Road, Millington 800-471-5293
901-876-5215
|
Memphis Area Association of Governments
www.maagov.org
Created in 1968 through state and federal legislation, Memphis Area Association of Governments (MAAG) serves as a regional clearinghouse for federal programs in support of economic, housing and community development initiatives to county governments in Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton in Tennessee; DeSoto in Mississippi; and Crittenden in Arkansas. MAAG endeavors to work closely with member governments and nonprofit organizations to identify craft and lobby for legislation and public policy that serves to improve the overall quality of life for residents. MAAG is one of nine Development Districts in all of Tennessee.
http://facebook.com/maagov/
http://Instagram.com/WestTNDayTrippin
|
Memphis Heritage
www.memphisheritage.org
Historic preservation helps the environment by
curbing urban sprawl and encouraging smart
development. Historic preservation fosters
education by providing the atmosphere and the
structures that teach us about the past.
Historic preservation is patriotic as it
preserves and teaches respect for the legacy of
our nation and the built environment of our
forefathers. Historic preservation builds
community awareness. Historic preservation
beautifies our neighborhoods as places where
people want to live. With all these virtues and
this evidence revealing powerful economic
benefits, historic preservation quite simply
makes Memphis and Shelby County a better place
to live, work, or visit. The mission of Memphis
Heritage is to educate and coordinate
individuals and groups to save, improve, reuse,
and maintain architecturally and historically
significant buildings, neighborhoods, parks, and
cultural artifacts of Shelby County, Tennessee.
Volunteer opportunities are abundant with
Memphis Heritage. 2282 Madison Avenue, Memphis
901-272-2727
|
Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club
www.memphishightailers.com
Founded in 1962, the mission is creating a better community through bicycling in the greater
Memphis area. Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club envisions an inclusive, diverse and accepting community where people of all ages and backgrounds bicycle to work, to get around, and for fun and for health and where bicycling brings people and neighborhoods together in the Greater Memphis Area. Goals are to educate the Greater Memphis area on bicycle safety and awareness, to increase the visibility of the Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club to reach a broader audience, to cultivate a community of bicyclists and non-bicyclists who respect each other on the road or trail and support a broad-based coalition promoting bicycling as part of a larger vision of healthy, sustainable, and connected living, to engage more people of all communities, backgrounds and ages to cycle regularly and safely for transportation, fitness, recreation, and daily activities, and to help expand and improve infrastructure facilitating safe and convenient cycling.
www.facebook.com/MemphisHightailersBicycle Club/
|
Memphis Runners Track Club
www.facebook.com/Memphis-Runners-Track-Club-129700725831/
The running club, which was originally called Memphis Striders, was informally organized in 1975 and thereafter changed the name to Memphis Runners Track Club. by Bud Joyner, who was proprietor of the first running store in Memphis. Bud's wife thought that Memphis Runner's Track Club sounded better than Memphis Striders, so that became the name. The Memphis Runners Track Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and fitness through programs of amateur road racing, cross country, and track, in the spirit of fun and competition. It is considered one of the largest and most active running clubs in the nation. Accurate course measurements, exact timing, race results, setting up complex finish lines, acquiring volunteers, organizing races, running group placements, and our various training programs are just some of the activities that show how the club's presence has shaped Memphis running as we know it today.
|
Morton Museum of Collierville History
www.colliervillemuseum.org
The Morton Museum of Collierville History
collects, preserves, and interprets
Collierville's dynamic history to make the past
tangible, relevant, and meaningful for today's
diverse community and for generations to come.
Situated in Collierville's Historic Downtown,
the Morton Museum invites visitors to explore
Collierville's rich heritage. Permanent and
changing exhibitions engage friends, families,
and children in interactive learning
opportunities. The Visitor Center offers
resources to help enhance your Collierville
Experience. The Museum is located at the
intersection of Poplar Avenue and Main Street
just off the Town Square. The Morton Museum acts
as the gateway to Collierville's Historic
District. Begin at the Museum, take-in the
exhibitions, historic objects, and breathtaking
architecture. The museum is located in the
former Collierville Christian Church that was
originally founded in Fayette County, near the
end of the Civil War. Construction began at the
location near the corner of Main and Poplar in
1873. This historic landmark was built as a
one-story frame vernacular Gothic Revival with a
two-story corner tower and steeple. Collierville
Christian Church worshiped at the Gothic white
building from 1873 until 1992. 196 Main Street,
Collierville 901-457-2650
Open: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday & Holidays FREE!
|
Nonconnah Creek Conservancy
www.facebook.com/NonconnahCreekConservancy
www.facebook.com/nococreek/
The Nonconnah Creek Conservancy was established
in 2016. The organization gives the opportunity
to become involved with the community, raise
awareness of the natural and cultural treasures
present, and encourage the public to become
stewards of the resources of the 29.7 mile long
Nonconnah Creek and its watershed. The main
vision of the organization is to connect the
greater Memphis community to these resources
that currently few know much about.
Open meeting on the second Monday at 7:30 p.m.
at Audubon Town Village, 950 Cherry Road.
|
Rosemark Historic District
www.rosemarkhistoricdistrict.com
The Historic Archives of Rosemark and Environs
(HARE) is a 501(s)(3) non-profit organization
whose mission is to document & preserve historic
information & items of the Rosemark region for
educational purposes. It is primarily
responsible for the creation of the Rosemark
Historic District. Please consider a tax
deductible contribution to help them continue
these efforts. In 2013 the Rosemark Historic
District was placed in the National and
Tennessee Registers of Historic Places by the
National Park Service of the United States
Department of Interior and. chartered with the
Secretary of State for the State of Tennessee in
2009.
Historic Archives of Rosemark and Environs,
Inc.’s stated purpose is to “create and publish
An Illustrated History of the People and Towns
of Northeast Shelby County and South Central
Tipton County – Salem, Portersville, Idaville,
Kerrville, Armourtown, Bethel, Tipton, Mudville,
Macedonia, Gratitude, Barretville, and Rosemark,
Tennessee; and to create and publish a
collection of maps of the area, both separately
and in combination. HARE will also catalog and
preserve photographs of historic interest, local
familial archival materials, and items of
historic interest, as well as a collection of
oral history tape recordings. It is the
intention of HARE to make as much of this
information as possible available through
internet access, to edit and publish other
materials of local historic interest, and to
contribute to the preservation of local historic
sites. HARE is formed exclusively for literary
and educational purposes.”
www.facebook.com/RosemarkHistoricDistrict/
|
Shelby County Conservation Board
www.shelbycountytn.gov/124/Conservation-Board
The Conservation Board is responsible for
acquiring, developing, and maintaining all
county parkways, playgrounds, public park
services, and recreational conservation areas,
such as Edmund Orgill Park. Members of the
nine-person Shelby County's Conservation Board
serve five-year terms and are confirmed by the
Shelby County Commission following appointment
by the county mayor. Open quarterly meetings are
held at 1075 Mullins Station - Suite #C-142
Memphis. 901-222-7801.
|
Shelby County Historical Commission
www.facebook.com/ShelbyCountyHistoricalCommission
The Shelby County Historical
Commission (SCHC) was created in
1965 by the Shelby County Quarterly
Court (now Shelby County Board of
Commissioners). The SCHC works on
behalf of historical awareness,
preservation and education. Some of
the duties include reviewing and
approving requests for historical
markers, maintaining a reference
book on all historical markers in
the county, directs media and public
attention to historic preservation
issues, recognizes with awards area
high school and college historical
scholars, recognizes area historical
authors and literary works, offers
guest speakers to community
organizations, participates in
relevant historical commemorative
events, interacts with schools and
historic preservation groups in
furtherance of these goals, and
applies for, manages, and assists
with grants from groups and
foundations for historic purposes.
Members of the SCHC serve four-year
terms and are appointed by the
Shelby County mayor and confirmed by
the Shelby County Commission. In
all, this commission is comprised of
33 members.
www.shelbycountytn.gov/135/Historical-Commission
|
Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
www.shelbyfarmspark.org
Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC or the
Conservancy) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that manages and operates Shelby
Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline through a
private-public partnership with Shelby County
Government. That means the land the comprises
the 2,900-acre Shelby Farms Park and Greenline
is publicly owned, and SFPC is responsible for
daily management, fundraising to meet operations
budget needs, setting the vision for the Park’s
future and stewarding its natural resources. The
SFPC mission is to manage, operate, restore and
improve Shelby Farms Park in partnership with
and for the public. With the support of
volunteers, donors and partners, we are doing
just that! Each year, SFPC privately raises
funding for the Park and the Greenline through
general donations, corporate and foundation
support. 6903 Great View Drive North, Memphis
901-222-PARK (7275)
|
Tennessee Genealogical Society
www.tngs.org
Organized in 1947, the Tennessee Genealogical
Society (TNGS) received its charter from the
State of Tennessee in 1952 and has been
continuously publishing since 1954. TNGS is a
non-profit, tax-exempt organization, completely
staffed by volunteers. The society is presently
located in the historic area of Old Germantown
with offices and lecture rooms adjacent to the
Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center
(GRHGC). The purpose of TNGS is creating and
maintaining an organization and a society for
the study and investigation of genealogical
history and genealogical records, while
receiving and collecting genealogical and
historical records and preserving such records
in libraries and archives.
7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown 901-754-4300
|
Tennessee Trails Association –
Memphis Chapter
www.tennesseetrails.org
The Tennessee Trails Association is
a non-profit (501c3) organization,
founded in 1968, whose mission is to
promote the development of a
statewide system of hiking trails.
Throughout the year, TTA members
enjoy the many hiking opportunities
afforded by the hundreds of miles of
Tennessee Trails. You can do the
same. If you like to hike, or think
you would, check out our calendar
and come hike with us!
Many TTA members also volunteer
their time and energy to build and
maintain trails on both public and
private land throughout Tennessee.
If you would like to be a part of
this great effort, check out our
volunteer opportunities and come
work with us! For more information,
e-mail your name and complete
mailing address to the membership
director, or send by regular mail
to:
Tennessee Trails Association Lynne
Witherington (Memphis Chapter)
P.O. Box 41446
Nashville, TN 37204-1446
901-230-1501
withlynne@aol.com
|
U.S. Daughters of the War of 1812, Piomingo
Chapter
www.usdaughters1812.org/sites/piomingo-chapter
The U.S.D. of 1812, founded in 1892, is a
volunteer women’s service organization dedicated
to promoting patriotism, preserving and
increasing knowledge of the history of the
American people by the preservation of documents
and relics, marking of historic spots, recording
of family histories and traditions, celebration
of patriotic anniversaries, teaching and
emphasizing the heroic deeds of the civil,
military, and naval life of those who molded
this Government between the close of the
American Revolution and the close of the War of
1812, to urge Congress to compile and publish
authentic records of men in civil, military, and
naval service from 1784 to 1815 inclusive, and
to maintain at National Headquarters in
Washington D.C., a museum and library of
memorabilia of the 1784-1815 period. The
Piomingo Chapter of Millington was organized in
1991. The Chapter is named for the Indian Chief
Piomingo who assisted the Spanish explorers who
first came to Memphis.
|
West Tennessee Historical Society
www.wths-tn.org
The West Tennessee Historical Society is the
umbrella heritage organization for the Western
Grand Division of Tennessee. Within its
twenty-one counties, it supports historical
programs, archives, publications, preservation,
markers, museums, and other historical
collections. Thus, the society promotes all
aspects of state and local history. The Society
welcomes all membership applications. The
Society also welcomes visitors and the
participation of non-members at its meetings and
activities.
The WTHS Papers is a peer-reviewed journal that
invites authors to submit any paper that
pertains to historical events in West Tennessee,
the Mid-South Region – which includes North
Mississippi, the Missouri Bootheel, Southern
Illinois, Western Kentucky, Central and Northern
Arkansas, and Northwest Alabama-or the South
at-large. Information about essay submissions
may be submitted to WTHS Editor Dr. Rita Hall at
rita.hall@hotmail.com
The WTHS membership has ranged between about 450
and 600 persons over the last decade. There are
several classifications of membership in the
WTHS including: Life, Sustaining, Family,
Individual and Group. Full information is
available by contacting the Society at:
WTHS, P.O. Box 111046, Memphis, TN 38111
www.facebook.com/West-Tennessee-Historical-Society
|
West Tennessee Historical Society
Papers
Editions of WTHS Papers online
(1947-2015)
Annually since 1947, the West
Tennessee Historical Society Papers
has been published as a
peer-reviewed journal that invites
authors to submit any paper that
pertains to historical events or
people in West Tennessee, the
Mississippi Delta Region, or the
South at large. Book reviews,
historical website reviews, museum
reviews, documentary reviews, etc.,
are also presented.
Dr. Rita Hall (rita.hall@hotmail.com)
is the Editor of the Papers.
To view hundreds of incredible
stories and topics online from
1947-2015, visit the Shelby County
Register’s web site,
Archives |
Shelby County Register of Deeds
Scroll down to Exhibits, select
West TN Historical Society Papers
1947-2015, accept the disclaimer at
the bottom, and Proceed.
Direct Link ~
Shelby County
Register of Deeds WTHSP
|
Wolf River Conservancy
www.wolfriver.org
The Wolf River Conservancy (WRC) was founded in
1985 when a group of volunteers came together to
successfully oppose a new gravel mine along the
Wolf River near Summer Avenue in Memphis.
Afterwards, these volunteers chartered the Wolf
River Conservancy as a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization dedicated to the protection and
enhancement Wolf River lands for sustainable
recreation and education, and its watershed as a
sustainable natural resource. WRC is protecting
the habitat within the Wolf River watershed,
spearheading the Wolf River Greenway project
along the urban Wolf River, connecting people of
all ages to the Wolf River through education,
and is providing outstanding recreational
opportunities for the community.
The spring-fed Wolf River rises in north
Mississippi and flows northwest through Fayette
and Shelby counties to join the Mississippi
River at Memphis. Carving a green passage
through 90 miles of forests, fields, and
communities, the Wolf's upper reaches are lush
wetlands of unmatched natural beauty that help
to recharge or drinking water aquifer. Its lower
stretches contain refuges of floodplain forest
in the heart of Memphis. The Wolf River is
vitally important, protecting our drinking water
and providing outstanding recreational and
educational opportunities. A natural treasure,
the Wolf River belongs to all of us.
www.facebook.com/wolfriver
|
|