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CreatingCreatingCreatingRegional SenseRegional SenseRegional Sense

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ..................................................... 2

Part I Places and People ....................................................... 3

Part II Know the Resources of your Region ........................... 9 National Register ...................................................... 10 Natural Areas ........................................................... 15 Parkways and Parks ................................................. 17 Museums and more................................................... 18 Makers ....................................................................... 20 Farms ........................................................................ 21 Architecture .............................................................. 23 Cemeteries................................................................. 25 Dry Stone Walls ........................................................ 27 People ........................................................................ 28

Part III Promoting the Region ............................................... 29 Regional Recommendations ..................................... 29

Part IV Moving Ahead ........................................................... 35 Assistance, Funding, Alliances ................................ 37

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This project was developed and produced by the Center for Historic Preservation (CHP) at Middle Tennessee State University with assistance from the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, a partnership unit of the National Park Service administered by the CHP.

Technical and fi nancial assistance throughout the project was provided in part by the Buffalo/Duck River Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council.

Research and fi eldwork in each county were funded in part by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, Economic Action Program-Rural Development.

Workshops in each county and publication of this report were funded in part by the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Other technical assistance was provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Project StaffLarry Lofton, Buffalo/Duck River RC&D CouncilSharon Englett, Buffalo/Duck River RC&D CouncilCaneta Hankins, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation,principal authorMichael T. Gavin, Tennessee Civil War National Heritage AreaSpurgeon C. King, Ph.D. candidate in Public History, MTSUThe project staff is grateful for the time, effort, andinterest of the participants and for the hospitality ofeach of the counties in the region. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are by Lofton, Gavin, and Hankins.

Design by MTSU Publications and Graphics. 2007

MTSU, a Tennessee Board of Regents university, is an equal opportunity,non-racially identifi able, educational institution that does not discriminateagainst individuals with disabilities. AA064-0907

Acknowledgements

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Places and PeoplePlaces have a way of claiming people. The concept of a sense of place is used to characterize the complex connections that people have with the different environments they encounter. Consider the places you have visited and what they mean to the people who inhabit them. This simple observation can help to develop an understanding of how places shape people and, in turn, how people shape places.

When one is traveling in another country, one’s answer to “Where are you from?” usually begins with country of origin followed by the national region or state. Last, the visitor offers the region of the state—such as east, middle, or west, as we do in Tennessee—and then the county, town, or community considered home.

Along the same line of thought, when visitors travel here, whether from near or far, the boundary lines of state, county, and townships are less defi ned, sometimes not even noted. They are rarely considered except as tools to navigate to destinations on unfamiliar roads. As residents of places that are very familiar, we sometimes tend to focus too narrowly on “my place.” A broader and more inclusive attitude and plan of action can accomplish what we really intend, which is to entice people to visit and learn about the stories and sites of “our place.”

This directionalmarker is in the new

heritage park in Hohenwald.

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The Challenge

The region of Tennessee that encompasses Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne counties is part wilderness and part small town and farms. An abundance of natural and cultural resources makes this place unique and yet fragile as development continually moves west.

In each of these four economically struggling counties, residents and local government offi cials are working to strengthen the economy by attracting visitors, new residents, and diverse industry and business. The goal is to make each county a better place to live while not exchanging the natural and cultural resources and authenticity of the area for something far less appealing, lasting, and economically stable. This balancing act is diffi cult.

To achieve a successful multi-county marketing approach to the region’s culture and heritage, similarities and differences of places must be taken into account to see the big picture. Each area within a region brings a number of signifi cant and similar attributes to the table, but there always will be local distinctions, and rightly so. Understanding both common bonds and differences leads to fl exibility and greater opportunities for developing marketing strategies.

Conservation of natural landscapes and waterways, identifi cation and preservation of historic properties and sites, and promotion of traditional crafts and culture are vital efforts for sensible, sustainable growth and offer options for building the capacity to achieve long-term success. A collective approach to heritage tourism that looks beyond boundaries and focuses on competition as a region encompassing several individual destinations has advantages. Such an approach (1) leverages available and future funding, (2) broadens the work force and provides jobs, (3) offers more options for residents and visitors for recreation and education, and (4) provides a keystone for economic stability in the area.

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CreatingCreatingCreatingRegional SenseRegional SenseRegional SenseCommon Features along

the Western Highland Rim

Stretching some 432 miles from the Appalachian Moun-tains to the Mississippi River, Tennessee has an amazing diversity of physical features. Topographically, the state is divided into six major and two minor regions. One of these, known as the Highland Rim, almost surrounds an-other, the Central Basin. The western section of the Rim, where Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne counties are located, is a high plateau, 50 to 75 miles wide, laced with deep ravines. Some parts of Perry and Wayne counties also lie in the valley of the Tennessee River.

The importance of the Tennessee River as a defi ning regional feature, a gateway, and an asset for recreation and cultural tourism cannot be overstated. Most of the four-county area drains into the Tennessee River. With other large rivers such as the Buffalo, the Duck, and the Green; smaller waterways such as Cedar, Indian, and Swan creeks; and numerous streams, springs above and below ground, and waterfalls, an abundant and scenic wa-ter source is never very far away. Because of the plentiful water, much of the soil in the region is (or can be made) productive.

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Since much of the area is at least 800 feet above sea level, the climate of the Highland Rim is somewhat cooler than the neighboring regions, particularly at night and in the morning. A mild climate allows a growing season of about 200 days. Prevailing westerly winds, often laden with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, provide the region with approximately fi fty inches of rain per year.

The underlying rock is sedimentary in origin, consisting primarily of limestone1 and shale with some sandstone. Dissolution of limestone by underground water has re-sulted in numerous sinkholes, some quite large. Deposits of small rocks mixed with clay—known as chert2—are scattered near the inner edge of the Rim, and many types of fossils are widespread. Traditionally, this area near the edge has been called the Barrens because of a reputed lack of fertility, but narrow strips of bottomland along the numerous watercourses continue to produce a variety of agricultural products.

Most foods needed for subsistence have been and still could be grown in the four counties. The region tradition-ally supported cattle, goats, sheep, and swine as well as certain crops usually cultivated further north that thrive in the cooler temperatures of the Highland Rim. Histori-cally, oats, wheat, and other grasses as well as peanuts3, tobacco, and numerous varieties of fruits have been grown in marketable quantities.

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Extensive forests are an important natural resource. One of the largest and best hardwood forests1 in the country covers the area and provides top-quality white oak, red oak, chestnut oak, black oak, hickory, and black walnut for domestic and foreign use. Soft woods such as red cedar, yellow pine, and yellow poplar are also commercially valuable. In the past, hardwood trees found throughout the hills and hollows were reduced to charcoal to fuel 19th-century iron furnaces in the region. Now, this timber2 provides lumber, fl ooring, and pencils in large quantities.

Iron ore, a natural resource more valuable in the past than in recent years, is found in abundance on the High-land Rim. High-quality ore banks are located through-out the region, particularly near the Tennessee River. The remains of 19th-century ironworks are found at the Wayne, Steele, Sugar Creek3, and Cedar Grove4 furnaces. This signifi cant industry played a major role in the local economy for nearly 100 years.

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Transportation in the region has always been somewhat problematic. The fi rst roads in the sparsely populated area evolved from Native American pathways. At present, improved highways such as U.S. 412 and 641 and state routes 13, 99, and 100 (which follow the ancient trails) provide easy access to natural and cultural resources and the towns and communities of the region. Middle Tennes-see’s most famous interstate road, the Natchez Trace2, was improved in the early 19th century by the federal government, but the development of more direct routes led to its abandonment. The modern Natchez Trace Park-way commemorates a prehistoric route that connected southern portions of the Mississippi River, through Ala-bama, to salt licks in central Tennessee. Today, visitors can experience this National Scenic Byway through driv-ing, hiking, biking3, horseback riding, and camping. While Lewis and Wayne share portions of the Trace, adjacent counties also benefi t from travelers who explore communi-ties beyond this historic corridor.

While this region was never fully served by railroads, Hickman, Lewis, and Wayne counties all have resources from a time when trains were important for travel and moving goods in and out of the area. The railroad bridge4 just outside Centerville is a splendid and unique struc-ture. And Grinder’s Switch5, now a local park near the railroad crossing by the same name, was made famous by native Sarah Ophelia Cannon—Minnie Pearl to the world. Depots in Hohenwald and Collinwood6, now a heritage center and library respectively, are keystone buildings in those towns.

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Over time, heritage tourism reinforces and supports the economic base and creates a sense of place for residents and visitors alike. The conservation of natural and cultural assets from which a place derives its uniqueness is a long-term priority and commitment. Identifi cation, interpretation, stewardship—these are the building blocks with which to construct a region’s sustainable economy through heritage tourism.

Knowing the resources that can form the basis for heritage tourism cannot be stressed too much. At least a basic inventory, if not a complete listing, of signifi cant natural, cultural, and historic sites is a reasonable fi rst step for determining what is important, what is accessible, what can be interpreted, and what should be conserved for future generations.

Following common attributes and features of the region outlined in Part I, this section continues by identifying some categories of resources found in each county. Farms, for example, have long contributed to the economy and traditions of the region. Parks and museums already draw visitors, bringing in tourist dollars and enriching the lives of residents. Other categories of resources are included as possibilities for interpretation, preservation, and promotion. Regional cooperation and marketing can feature the best of the unique places of these four counties.

Know the Resources of Your Region

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The National Register of Historic PlacesA good starting point is to be aware and make others aware of the sites, buildings, or objects in your county and region already listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Following is a list of those places already desig-nated as National Register properties.

Hickman CountyFurnaces

• Lee and Gould, Bucksnort • Old Aetna and New Aetna, Aetna • Oakland Furnace and Forge, Texas Hollow • Standard Furnace, Nunnelly

Bon Aqua Springs Historic District1 Fairview School John Gordon House Old Natchez Trace Primm Springs Historic District Shelby Bend Archaeological District James Buchanan Walker House

Lewis CountyAmbrose Blackburn Farmstead2 Hohenwald Railroad Depot3 Napier Furnaces Historic District Old Natchez Trace4 Steele’s Iron Works

Parts of the Old Natchez Trace are located in Hickman, Lewis, and Wayne counties.

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Perry CountyPerry County Courthouse1 Dr. Richard Calvin Bromley House Cedar Grove FurnaceCraig Family FarmJames Dickson HouseHufstedler Gravehouse2 Tucker Family Farm

Wayne CountyCollinwood Railroad Station Evans Chapel United Methodist Church First Presbyterian Church of Clifton Forty-Eight Forge Marion Furnace Old Natchez Trace Water Street Historic District of Clifton3

Waynesboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church4

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All four counties of this region are underrepresented on the National Register, and a number of buildings and sites are likely eligible. For example, the following are a few properties that may be eligible for listing on the National Register as individual properties or historic districts.

Hickman County: The Centerville public square1 and courthouse, churches including Mt. Zion AME church2, and residential neighborhoods.

Lewis County: The Farm3, Palestine Cemetery, and resi-dential areas in Hohenwald (which were surveyed by the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation in 2004).4

Perry County: New Robert’s Chapel AME church and cemetery.5

Wayne County: Pinhook School at Lutts6 and the Grimes House and Baptist Church on Upper Green River. 7, 8

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The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register is the federal government’s offi cial list of historic buildings and other cultural resources worthy of preservation. Along with providing recognition of a property’s signifi cance, National Register listing identifi es properties for planning purposes and, in so doing, assures that these properties will be taken into account in the planning of federally funded or licensed projects. In addition, through the Tax Reform Act of 1986, owners of income-producing properties listed in the National Register are eligible for federal tax incentives for rehabilitation activities on properties that meet preservation standards.

The National Register does not place any obligations or legal restrictions on the use or disposition of the property by the owner. National Register designation is not the same as historic district zoning or local landmark designation, which often requires maintenance and repair standards. National Register designation requires owner consent and does not encourage public access to the property.

Before a property is considered for the National Register, extensive research and fi eld evaluation for the preparation of a National Register nomination form is conducted by the Tennessee Historical Commission or a qualifi ed individual, agency, fi rm, or institution such as the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University. The nomination of the property is then presented for approval to the Tennessee National Register Review Board at one of its regularly scheduled meetings. Upon review and approval by the board, the nomination is forwarded to the National Park Service at the United States Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. (the federal department responsible for administering the National Register program), for fi nal consideration for the National Register.

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The National Register Does

1. identify historically signifi cant buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts, according to the National Register Criteria for Evaluation;

2. encourage the preservation of historic properties by documenting the signifi cance of historic properties and by lending support to local preservation activities;

3. enable federal, state, and local agencies to consider historic properties in the early stages of planning projects;

4. provide for review of federally funded, licensed, or sponsored projects that may affect historic properties;

5. make owners of historic properties eligible to apply for federal grants-in-aid for preservation activities (prop-erties owned by government agencies or nonprofi t groups, not individuals); and

6. encourage the rehabilitation of income-producing historic properties that meet preservation standards through tax incentives, and discourage the demolition of income-producing properties through tax disincen-tives.

The National Register Does Not

1. restrict the rights of private property owners in the use, development, sale, or demolition of private his-toric property;

2. by its actions lead automatically to historic zoning;

3. force federal, state, local, or private projects to be stopped;

4. provide for review of state, local, or privately funded projects which may affect historic properties;

5. guarantee that grant funds will be available for any signifi cant historic properties; or

6. provide tax benefi ts to owners of residential historic properties, unless those properties are rental proper-ties and treated as income-producing by the IRS.

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Natural AreasLand and water resources in the region contribute to a rich biodiversity and provide habitat to a signifi cant number of threatened and endangered plant and animal species. All of these resources are a living legacy of nature’s ability to adapt to the impact of human activity.

Devils Backbone State Natural Heritage Area, located on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Lewis County, and the more recently designated Bon Aqua Woods State Natural Area in Hickman County are examples of local and state commitment to preserving important ecological habitats while allowing public access for education and appreciation. Lady’s Bluff Small Wild Area is located on the Tennessee River in Perry County and is managed by TVA. This area is dedicated to ecological preservation and protection and offers hikers a spectacular view of the Tennessee River from Lady’s Bluff.

The Tennessee Division of Forestry maintains Lewis State Forest in Lewis County as a working laboratory for forestry practices that encourage the production of quality timber and ecological sustainability.

Forests are the dominant land use in the region and its timber contributes to Tennessee’s reputation as a major source of hardwoods. The region has a history of growing high-quality red oak, white oak, hickory, and yellow poplar. Crossties, lumber, pallets, cabinets, cooking wood, containers, and fl ooring are some of the products currently produced. Mennonite communities produce a large number of handcrafted wood items. A signifi cant amount of forest land is owned by timber-producing companies, but just as important are small timber tracts, many of which are still owned as part of family farms. All of these forests are habitats for a diverse range of wildlife and are often used as part of seasonal recreation activities including hunting. These forests are also home to a wide range of plants that are part of the medicinal folklore of Native Americans and early pioneers. Many of the area’s residents still subscribe to their benefi ts.

McDonald Craig of Perry County has worked in timber for most of his life

From this vantage point, forested areas of Wayne and Perry Counties form a dramatic vista.

Indian Creek in Wayne County.

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The region’s numerous rivers and streams are, overall, ecologically healthy. Their health is determined in large part by human activity in the watershed that defi nes them. A watershed is the land that drains into a stream, river, or lake and on and on eventually to the ocean. All human activity, good or bad, can have a signifi cant impact on water quality. Water is and will continue to be a criti-cally important resource to be protected and managed. The Tennessee, Buffalo, and Duck rivers are major rec-reation destinations for people who boat, fi sh, canoe, and observe wildlife.

There are many economic and educational opportunities that are and could be supported by this abundance of nat-ural wealth in forests and water. For example, seasonal leisure boat rides along the major waterways are a possi-bility that has not yet been fully realized as a draw for the region. Guided or self-guided walking, hiking, camping, bicycling, and eco-tours (or a combination of these) could be very attractive to visitors and residents alike. Conserv-ing the fragile quality of the natural resources that make the area unique is a part of the entire region’s responsibil-ity.

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Parkways and Parks

Lewis, Wayne, and Perry counties are extremely fortunate to have considerable acreage designated as public lands by federal and state government. The Natchez Trace Parkway, administered by the National Park Service, is a great draw for visitors. Meriwether Lewis National Monu-ment, just off the parkway in Lewis County, is often vis-ited by people following the trail of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Two state parks add to the general attraction of the region. Mousetail Landing State Park in Perry County and Ross Creek Landing State Park in Wayne County are located on the Tennessee River and offer a healthy bal-ance of quality recreation and natural habitat. Hickman County proposed a third state park for the region in 2007.

Additional promotion for these parks and good signs to let people know about them and provide directions from primary and secondary routes should be an objective for marketing the region. Of equal importance is providing visitors with information, directions, and good signs to food, lodging, shopping, and other sites in the area.

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Museums and More

The Museum of Natural History1 in Hohenwald has an outstanding collection and is expanding to include Lewis County displays and exhibits. The community recently hosted a very successful Smithsonian traveling exhibit in the adjacent depot. Volunteers worked hard to promote this event and to make people welcome. A new Heritage Park2 encompassing the depot and museum is under con-struction.

Also in Lewis County, the Farm’s welcome center3 features information on history, culture, and special classes and activities and offers an impressive selection of nutritional publications published on site. Visitors from across the U.S. and other countries visit the Farm to teach and learn about the latest in ecological and environmental efforts and advances.

The Chamber of Commerce in Centerville4 offers displays on local celebrities including Grand Ole Opry stars Del Reeves and native Minnie Pearl (also remembered with a statue on the square). The Hickman County Historical Society operates a heritage center and bookstore on the Centerville square to assist both residents and visitors who are interested in local history and genealogy. The use of the existing 1925 courthouse as a local heritage center is in preliminary discussions.

The Hickman County Chamber ofCommerce is located in this historic building on the square in Centerville

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The new welcome center at Collinwood1, along with the library housed in the historic depot, provides information for visitors, primarily exiting from the Natchez Trace, and residents to learn more about Wayne County and the region. In Clifton, the Stribling House2 serves as the local branch library as well as a museum to Pulitzer Prize–winning author T. S. Stribling.

Perry County residents are discussing the possibility of a museum that will tell the story of the region’s timber industry3.

The new welcome center in Collinwood is busy serving travelers exiting from the Natchez Trace.

The former home of T. S. Stribling is a part of Clifton’s National Register Historic District.

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Logging trucks travel through down-town Linden on an almost daily basis.

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MarkersMarkers and monuments are in place throughout the region. Tennessee Historical markers describe signifi cant historic sites and people including Old Aetna Furnace; First County Seat, Beth Slater Whitson, 1879–1930, Edwin Hickman, Bon Aqua Springs (Hickman County); Meriwether Lewis, Tennessee Mormon Massacre (Lewis County); Cedar Grove Iron Works (Perry County); Nat-chez Trace; Forty Eight Forge; Wayne Furnace; Forrest’s Raid; Army of Tennessee; and McGlamery’s Stand (Wayne County).

Additional markers could be used in every county as a way to introduce stories of people and places of the region. The Tennessee markers are a program of the Tennessee Historical Commission, (615/532-1550) and the cost for each marker is estimated at about $1,600, which includes installation. (Call the Tennessee Historical Commission at (615) 532-1550 for more information.) Some counties have proceeded with their own programs of installing markers, based on the design of the state markers. If individual counties or the region proceed with marker programs on their own, factual accuracy of the marker text is an ob-ligation as is appropriate and secure installation of the marker or monuments.

The documentation and publication of all markers and monuments (several of which are found in and around the public squares of the four county seats) in a brochure would be a simple and cost-effective way to tell visitors and residents about some of the most famous people and places of the region.

This monument marks the grave of explorer Meriwether Lewis, for whom Lewis County was named.

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Historic FarmsAcross the region are agricultural properties which are identifi ed and certifi ed as Tennessee Century Farms. These farms have been in the same family and in continu-ous agricultural production for at least 100 years. They are places of history as well as the homes of families who have contributed to all aspects of the region’s growth from early settlement to the present.

Hickman CountyAydelott Farm1

Blue Rock Shoals FarmCarothers FarmFour Hills Farm2

Green View Valley FarmMaple Shade Farm3

Mayberry-Garrett Farm4

Mule Farmer RanchNichols Creekside FarmNunnelly FarmPruett FarmRiverview FarmWilliams Farm

Lewis CountyBeechwood FarmDouble E FarmLankford Farm5

Robnett FarmSisco-Loveless Farm6

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Perry CountyGodwin Farm1

Harder Farm2

Horner FarmHoward FarmHowell’s Twin Oaks FarmKidd FarmMcDonald Craig FarmMoore Farm, Swindle CreekPetterson FarmPin Hook Farm3 Qualls-Parnell FarmTucker Farm

Wayne CountyDicus Place FarmDuren FarmHaggard Farm4

Sharpe FarmStults Farm

It is likely that each county has additional Century Farms that should be recognized. For more information on this program, contact the Tennessee Century Farms Program, Box 80, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, Mur-freesboro, TN 31732 or visit the Century Farm Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu.

Some Century Farms, as well as other farms in the region, are involved in agritourism. A recent statewide initiative sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, the University of Tennessee Extension Service, and the Center for Profi table Agriculture offers options and incentives to combine farming and tourism ventures5.

Driving tours of scenic rural routes that include a stop or two at a historic farm, cemetery, church, or school, or adding some of these places to existing events that promote education and visitation, are not diffi cult to arrange. Farms involved in agritourism can benefi t as much as their visitors. In this region, farms are among the best places to view natural scenery (such as Shipp’s Bend on the Duck River in Hickman County)6.

This rare photo is of the founder of the Harder Farm in his Mexican War uniform.

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ArchitecturePrimarily, this four-county region has examples of commercial and agrarian architecture. In county seats and smaller towns as well as unincorporated communities are found several styles of 19th- and 20th-century domestic architecture. Churches of many denominations and styles are well represented in the region, and schools, some long vacant of students but rich in memories, still stand. Log buildings including barns and very rare open dog-trot houses are among the fi ne architectural resources that one may spot while traveling along the roads of the region.

Clifton Streetscape, Wayne County1

Open Dog Trot, Perry County2

Detail, Centerville, Hickman County3

Bank Barn, Lewis County4

Open Dog Trot, Wayne County5

Bromley Hotel, Perry County6

Across the four counties, and on or just off main routes, a number of country stores remain. A few still operate on a daily basis while most are now closed. All illustrate their historic importance to farm families and rural communities surrounding them. Tarkington’s Store and Barnhill’s (Hickman County) are examples of long-time landmark country stores still in operation. These increasingly rare and once very important places are part of the unique history the region offers (please see p. 24).

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Barnhill’s Store in east Hickman County is known espe-cially for its barbeque1.

The S. T. Sharp Store in Flatwoods is a landmark of this picturesque and once-thriving community near the Perry and Wayne County lines2.

This crossroads store served families in the Isom commu-nity of Lewis County3.

The Darby Store was a hub of activity in the Cypress Inn community in southernmost Wayne County4.

Garages and fi lling stations, some dating from the 1920s and 1930s, like the historic station in Hohenwald and on Hwy. 100 in Hickman County are reminders of the time when the roads on which they are located were part of the network of roads crisscrossing the state and nation before the interstate system was built5, 6.

The drive-in theater on Hwy. 100 in Hickman County is one of just a few still operating in Tennessee. People come from miles around to enjoy movies in the summer7.

These places all have stories to tell. Regional driving tours or tours aimed at hikers and bicyclers or special events that feature selected properties such as the public squares in the four counties, churches, schools, country stores, or farms, provide a way to showcase authentic rural and small-town life from various periods.

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CemeteriesEach county in this region has many cemeteries. These places are among the most historic sites, dating back to early settlement and encompassing the ethnic groups that have been a part of each county throughout history. Cem-eteries are tangible links with the past and provide many stories of previous generations. The members of historical societies and individual residents in all four counties have made a concerted effort to document cemeteries. County cemetery records can be found in local libraries or on the Tennessee Genealogy and History Web site at www.tngenweb.org. Visitors from other states are often found in county courthouses and libraries looking for family information. Visiting the actual cemetery where ancestors are buried is an important pilgrimage for many people.

African American cemeteries, some dating back to slavery and Reconstruction years, are of particular signifi cance to a county’s history. Many are located near churches and schools, but others may be nearly lost in wooded areas.

Cemeteries are excellent places to teach history, art, math, and science, among other subjects (see the Heritage Education Network at www.mtsu.edu/~then for ideas). Cemetery tours are among the most successful events that can be offered in communities both large and small. Telling the stories of people at the place they were buried is an effective way to highlight history. Every community could involve residents of all ages in this learning experi-ence.

This African American cemetery is just off a busy highway in Lewis County.

Generations of the Craig family are buried in the family cemetery in Perry County.

The Swiss Cemetery in Hohenwald, which marks the graves of immigrants from Switzerland, is also the county’s largest burying ground.

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In Hickman County, playwright Clay Harris and a cast and crew of local residents received accolades for the staging of Obituary. Based on stories gleaned from death notices in local newspapers, this creative and successful production premiered in Centerville and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville. Some of the stories are of people buried in the old city cemetery in the county seat. (left)

Shields Cemetery is just outside Waynesboro.

The city cemetery in Lobelville over-looks the town.

Parrish Cemetery is located within the boundaries of Mousetail Landing State Park.

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Dry Stone WallsWhile dry stone walls are not as prevalent in this region as in other areas of the state, they do exist. Some are hid-den under growth or are partially collapsed. The Tennes-see Preservation Trust acknowledges that dry stone walls are among the most endangered landscape resources in the state. First built by Scots-Irish, Irish, and English settlers, accustomed to the dry stone walls of their native countries, the skill was also taught to slaves. Dry stone walls, which require fi tting stones together without mor-tar, are relics of skilled craftsmen who traveled through or lived in the area in the 19th century.

Wayne County

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People

Many talented artists and craftspeople call this four-county region home. Musicians, authors, painters, quilters, basket makers, boat builders, woodworkers, storytellers, and keepers of traditions related to farming, timbering, and other local occupations are among the area’s greatest assets and also among its best kept secrets. Showcasing the talents, products, and knowledge of these people locally and across the region benefi ts the artist’s income, visitors, and the area’s economy. Through the resources of each county—architecture, farms, cemeteries, National Register properties, historic markers, and written records and photographs—the history of this region emerges.

The Amish in both Perry and Lewis counties are keepers of traditional crafts and ways.

McDonald Craig, a Perry County native whose farm is a Century Farm and also listed on the National Register of His-toric Places, is a well-known country and folk musician.

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Promoting the RegionFor as long as human beings have traveled, they have needed and wanted • good information about the unique features of the area—scenery, sites, history, recreation options, variety, authenticity; • clear directions and legible signs to point the way; • basic amenities of good food and comfortable lodging at reasonable prices; and • a sincere welcome.

Today’s travelers are no different. Isn’t this what you look for when you travel for pleasure and education?

Think Like a Tourist

When you travel to other places, look at things that are well done and note what could and should be done better. Look at your community in the same way, as if you were a fi rst-time visitor. What could be improved with a minimal amount of time and money? What are longer-term prob-lems and how could they be resolved in fi ve years? Then, accept what just cannot be changed and hope visitors think the good things tip the balance when traveling in your region.

Regional Recommendations

Following are specifi c recommendations that could en-hance each county’s ability to attract visitors to the re-gion. These observations were discussed by participants in public meetings held in the four counties in spring 2007.

Wayne County

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Regional driving tours are a basic tool whether in published format and/or on the Internet. Topics discussed may include the Civil War and Reconstruction, African American sites, natural features, and agritourism ventures. Some of these are underway, such as the agritourism promotion in Lewis County. Already available is the Tennessee Iron Furnace Trail guide, DVD, and Web site that includes resources in all four counties and beyond. Other tours might feature cemeteries; churches; schools; places associated with African Americans, Swiss, Germans, Scots-Irish, and other ethnic groups; artists and craftspeople; and barns, log buildings, or other types of rural architecture.

Touring the iron furnace resources in the region is popular with groups and individuals. All the necessary tools are in place to promote and conduct these tours. Combining the iron furnace sites with other attractions increases the options and interest for broader-based marketing 1, 2.

More and better signs are crucial for bringing tourists into the region, to direct and guide them, and to advise them of what is available. While signs are necessarily regulated for the Trace by the National Park Service and on highways by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, it is possible for local groups to work through and with these agencies for good signage on public rights of way or to place appropriate signs on nearby private property with the consent of the owners. To do so does take some time and effort, but the results are certainly worthwhile for visitors and the local economy. For example, Perry County is working to get better signage for Mousetail Landing State Park from I-40.

The new Wayne County Welcome Center at the Collinwood exit from the Natchez Trace clearly points visitors in the right direction for information3.

These signs where visitors exit into Lewis County from the Natchez Trace do not, however, provide any information to the visitor regarding food, lodging, orother amenities 4, 5.5

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In Lewis County, this campground near the Trace is ideally situated to serve as a visitors’ center through a public and private partnership between the county, city, and the facility owners. Everyone would benefi t1.

Quality crafts need to be marketed year round at places such as Chamber of Commerce offi ces, museums, welcome centers, or other appropriate private venues. Eventually, the region might consider a cooperative crafts facility onI-40 near the Tennessee River or the Natchez Trace. North Carolina, Kentucky, and Illinois, for example, do this with great success, creating jobs, supplementing the income of artists, and promoting traditions, such aswoodworking, of the entire region.

The Yoder Market in Lewis County is a destination for those seeking quality furniture, baskets, and foods2.

The Samitch Gallery, located on Columbia Avenue in the traditional African American neighborhood of Centerville, features quality crafts, many made by local artists3.

Better marketing through Web sites and brochures for places such as the Yoder Market and Samitch Gallery can benefi t visitors, businesses, and attractions in the area.

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Quilters in all counties could work together for regional shows.

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Regular hospitality training for business owners, man-agers, and staff is a continuing need. Workshops for busi-nesses coupled with special classes in high school and vo-cational schools are needed to teach basic professionalism and courtesy in the work place and why it is important to the local economy, each business, and the job market.

Tours and activities that focus on scenic and historic waterways need to be planned and promoted. Rivers and creeks are perhaps the region’s most marketable resource. Tours that include a ride on the Tennessee, Duck, or Buf-falo, in conjunction with a visit to a farm, for example, or combined with other activities and experiences, could be well-received by visitors 1, 2.

This mussel boat is a reconstruction based on traditional craft that were used on the Tennessee River3. Learning about this historic trade while taking a ride in such a boat could be an experience that would appeal to residents and visitors alike.

Identify and prepare a list of signifi cant natural, cultural, and historic resources in your county and region. This report is a start. Apply for assistance from the Tennessee Historical Commission, the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, or a preservation consultant to do a complete survey of your county. What is found should be available to local, regional, and state government offi ces and heritage groups. Consider National Register and/or local historic districts as well as protective but mixed and logical zoning. To do nothing because some may not understand the advantages of zoning invites anything and everything to your area without necessary quality considerations. Look at the areas around you that have made this mistake. Protect what you have with sensible measures that do not infringe on the rights of property owners but provide for protection and options that promote quality design and living conditions.

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The Internet has become one of the primary ways potential visitors fi rst learn about a region or specifi c attraction. What they see and learn from their initial online visit may well determine whether or not they visit in person. Develop and maintain a well-designed and up-to-date Web site for the region that links to the best Web site for each county and vice versa. At present, each county has more than one Web site, some of which are dated and less than user-friendly. The browser may not know which site is best and may receive incorrect or outdated information. This may discourage potential visitors. Perhaps some Web sites could be deleted or information and efforts combined for a better online experience. Make it clear which site is your offi cial Web site for heritage tourism and keep it current.

Consider contracting with one company or an individual (preferably within the region because they will have more of a stake in the venture) to design and maintain a regional Web site. A responsible individual, agency, or organization must coordinate, collect, and provide information for the local and regional Web site that includes all activities, events, and places to be promoted.

Remember, your Web site is the fi rst impression of a given destination for more and more potential visitors. If the site is not designed well or has dated information, poor photographs, unclear directions, and no contact information, your county and your region may lose visitors.

Make K–12 education an integral part of your planning and efforts—always! Teachers and heritage organizations must help each other develop educational materials for classes and fi eld trips. Other opportunities to educate and involve students include scouting, after-school programs, and church youth camps and groups. Although this recommendation is listed last, it may be the most important. Heritage education may be the best way to build a new generation of responsible adults who will be aware of their past and become good stewards of the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the area.

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Moving AheadTo move ahead with a reasonable, achievable, common sense guide for the future, one that supports and pro-motes both the region and your place in that region, look fi rst at things that can be done now or in the near future with a modest investment of time and money. Then focus on ideas and needs that require more time. Plan to accom-plish those tasks next year and over the next fi ve years or longer. Be open and fl exible and look at an agenda appro-priate not only for your community and county but also for the region. This guide you develop need not be a start-from-the-ground document. Borrow from other sources, but customize your plan for your needs. Keep in mind that what may work in some other place may not work for your area. Some counties in the region have been or are now involved in long-range planning. These places may need only to revisit or revise parts of an already existing plan or move ahead with an already determined course of action.

If heritage tourism is seen as an opportunity for economic development, money and time must be invested to make it happen. Many places put a lot of time and money into industrial recruitment, for example, often with disap-pointing or temporary results. When a community, coun-ty, or region spends an equal amount of time, money, and personnel to identify, interpret, and market cultural and natural resources as it does on industrial or commercial recruitment, the results can be positive and the returns may begin immediately. While competition among indi-vidual counties and within communities can be positive, (local sports is a good example) it is diffi cult to initiate and sustain a successful heritage and cultural tourism program without cooperation. Everyone must consider the big picture and adopt a broader view.

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One approach could be to involve current participants and alumni of Leadership Hickman, Maury, Lewis, and Perry counties to spearhead an active effort to plan and implement strong regional partnering. These groups might begin by sponsoring and participating in “Regional Rambles” to various places within the area to acquaint themselves and others with resources, people, and stories in the four counties. These rambles could become the basis for regional tours. At the very least, the education that comes from seeing and learning about resources in each county can create dialogue for regional partnering.

Interested residents may work together through heritage organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and nonprofi ts to initiate activities and voluntarily staff programs for a time, such as planning and conducting tours that go across county lines or developing and maintaining a regional Web site. County and city government may assist with some start-up funds, but a track record of success at the grassroots level will certainly help ensure that support. Realistically, total reliance on local government to initiate and support such programs could be an obstacle. Work with local governments and ask for advice from existing agencies, but do not necessarily rely on them to begin an effort and continue it without consistent public support and interest. Long-term budgetary commitments, interests, and policies change with administrations. For large projects such as capital campaigns to build a new regional museum or craft center, involve your state and federal legislators. Communicate fi rst to staff your ideas and goals and the benefi ts such a project would bring to the region. A one-time legislative appropriation may be the answer. Generally, the best and most workable way to accomplish a variety of tasks is through a combination of private, public, and nonprofi t resources.

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Assistance, Funding, and AlliancesVarious programs of many funding agencies and organi-zations—government, foundation, corporate, and not-for-profi t—view regional partnerships more favorably than smaller efforts because the benefi ts are greater in that they reach more people within a larger area. Whether you’re seeking outright or matching funds for research, publications, wayside interpretative kiosks, signs, events, or activities, consider involving more people and places to enhance the program, divide responsibilities and work, and make dollars go further.

A good starting place for funding is the brief compilation of federal sources at the Web site maintained by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at www.achp.gov/heritagetourism-assist.html. The information includes USDA’s Rural Development programs as well as USDA’s Resources and Conservation Development councils, which are very active in this region.

For more assistance, contact foundations that already have a stake in the local region, such as the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at www.cfmt.org/grants/. Most national retailers and companies have corporate foundations. Approach local branch managers in your area or go online for information about their local corpo-rate giving programs.

For assistance with historic and cultural surveys, Nation-al Register nominations, and preservation grants, contact the Tennessee Historical Commission at (615) 532-1550 or www.state.tn.us/environment/hist/.

The Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU provides many services in addition to being a clearinghouse for information on Tennessee history and culture. Cultural surveys, National Register nominations, museum develop-ment assistance, and partnership funding opportunities for projects including publications and exhibits through the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area are some of the services. Call (615) 898-2947 or visit http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres for more information.

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A publication that lists many federal, state, and not-for-profi t programs and services (along with explanations and contact information) is available from the Center for Historic Preservation. Holding on to the Homestead was designed for Tennessee’s farm families but has proven to be useful to many who are interested in understanding the variety of sources and options available to people and communities in rural areas and small towns. For exam-ple, conservation easements and contacts for land trusts in Tennessee are listed in the book. Simply providing this information to those within each county of the region who may want to consider conserving green spaces for future generations would be a welcome service. Contacts for the U.S. and Tennessee Forest Service and other agen-cies that work with communities to sustain and conserve natural and cultural resources are also included. You may request a free copy of Holding on to the Homestead from the Center for Historic Preservation at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, (615) 898-2947. The book may also be viewed online at http://histpres.mtsu.edu by selecting the Century Farm sign. You will see the link to the book on the Century Farm home page. Learn about and take advantage of the many services and programs explained in the book: they can be tools for bettering your community. Because each community and region is differ-ent, it takes some homework to see what options best fi t your area’s resources and goals. Holding on to the Home-stead can help make that initial work easier.

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Form alliances with existing businesses to benefi t the heritage tourism economy. For example, because of the long timbering tradition in the region, approach timber corporations and related businesses and ask them to as-sist with a cooperative, cohesive heritage tourism plan. Invite them to be part of the plan’s funding and imple-mentation.

Wayne County is the home of one of the most famous stone formations in the southeast: Natural Bridge, now owned by the Tennessee Fitness Spa. Fortunately, the owners and managers of the spa recognize the importance of this attraction and its history and allow the general public to visit the site at selected times. This business brings people from many places into Wayne County on a regular basis. By joining forces for additional cooperative efforts, perhaps even for occasional events that feature the bridge as a backdrop or as part of special historic tours, both the spa and the county could benefi t.Perry County is at a disadvantage because it does not have a hotel or motel. Attracting bicyclists, workshops, small conferences, or tours that might well bring dollars to the area is a problem. The Linden Valley Baptist Con-ference Center, however, has offered to discuss the pos-sibility of providing lodging for special groups. This option should be explored immediately to see if some arrange-ment can be reached between the center—an experienced nonprofi t—and organizations and agencies within Perry County. Resolution of the lodging problem could be fairly simple.

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Creating and maintaining cooperative alliances among heritage-related groups in each county and within the re-gion can not be stressed too much. Participation in these groups is usually voluntary and funds are limited. Work-ing together can leverage the most from every dollar, from every person’s time and talents, and will help strengthen the options for attracting funding and tourist dollars.

Be a part of decisions that affect you and the place you live. Find and request good information to make good decisions. Incomplete or erroneous information leads to unfortunate decisions. Communities do not have funds to invest in ventures that are less than positive, produc-tive, and good for the community and for the region as a whole. Residents of this region have choices and options now. In the future, those choices may not be as clear or even possible—each year resources disappear. Decisions made by others may not take into account the unique and irreplaceable natural and historic resources that give all who live in Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne counties and all who visit a remarkable and exceptional regional sense of place.

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