We know it has been necessary for the Museum to be closed, and we understand the need to be closed. We also encourage everyone who has to be out and about to wear a good quality mask. The corona virus is not a joke or something to be ignored.
We have been able to begin working on changing our displays, and the theme when we open – hopefully in the next couple of weeks – will be on the county's covered bridges.
We have been fortunate to have two Sisters of the Church of Jesus Christ volunteer to conduct a class in genealogy/family research. The first session covered the benefits of knowing one's family history and stories; the second session covered some of the nuts and bolts of family historical research. The Sisters are very poised and capable young ladies, and we are all the better for having them around.
We also have a volunteer "intern", Hunter Guthrie, who is a senior at Athens State College. His major is in museum operations, and one of his many interests is developing presentations and displays using some of the so far under-utilized artifacts. This was totally unexpected, and kudos go to Stanly Moss and Jim Kilgore for helping make this happen. Truly, it is a win-win situation for the Museum, our Board, Athens State and Hunter himself.
It was a pleasant surprise to learn of being recognized for the new Blount County Heritage Book. Sales have been brisk, and all of those who toiled to bring it into reality thought it was a good piece of work. So did our publisher, and it was entered into a contest for such publications. This book is less a reflection on our efforts, than it is a recognition of our people and their lives, and that's what makes our County the place it is.
Freedom Bridge Dedication...
A show of patriotism took place in Blount County on Monday, March 24th, as more than 100 community members and veterans' groups came together to dedicate a new bridge over Difficulty Creek on County Highway 27. Although it was a rainy, blustery day, that did not stop people from paying tribute to our Blount County veterans. Several state and national leaders were also in the crowd, including Governor Kay Ivey.
"We know freedom is not free and we're here to honor the men and women who served in the military and also pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Freedom is our treasure and to keep it, we must protect it and that means we must defend it." said Governor Ivey.
The Freedom Bridge reopened less than two months after construction began in 2019. While it is in memorial of all veterans, it was inspired by one local hero, SSGT Forrest Sibley. "His dedication and sacrifice in the Afghanistan war gave us the inspiration to name it the Freedom Bridge," said Blount County Commissioner Dean Calvert. Sibley dwas killed in Afghanistan in August of 2015 after his vehicle was attacked.
"The Freedom Bridge is freedom for all the wars that we' ve been to and it underscores the fact that freedom is not free. It is protected by the price that men and women in the military service pay," said Governor Ivey. Sibley graduated from Appalachian High School in Oneonta.
Honor Flight Radiothon!
There will be an Honor Flight Radiothon Tuesday, June 30, 2020. This event will be hosted by our local radio station, WCRL, and it will last from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Please tune in. Donations may be called in to WCRL at 205-625-3333. Any amount will be welcome and will help make this flight a reality for participating veterans.
There will also be a Silent Auction and a yard sale at the Little Brick Church, across the street from the Museum. Everyone is invited to come join the fun.
Our Displays
The displays are being up–dated, including this one provided by Stanley Moss. It is whimsical and is a novel use of packaging foam material. Drop by and see what else is new.
Visit Our Facebook Page
We have an active group of FaceBook® followers, and we invite everyone to drop in from time to time. It's a source of additional information about the early Blount County, as well of the County's history and heritage.
Planning a Tour?
The Museum provides guides for touring groups visiting Blount County. Please complete the tour notice form to request a knowledgeable guide.
Whether it's a visit to the covered bridges, Palisades Park, County Caves, or a working farm, we're always pleased to tell about our County.
We know it has been necessary for the Museum to be closed, and we understand the need to be closed. We also encourage everyone who has to be out and about to wear a good quality mask. The corona virus is not a joke or something to be ignored.
