Kids and Quilts

As part of the celebration of the Living Heritage Museum's 25th Annual Quilt Show, Museum staff recently brought the quilts into the classroom as part of the Kid's Connection After School Program where the children, in Kindergarten through the sixth grade were able to make their own quilt square after getting an introduction into the history and construction of quilts. The squares are on display at the Museum until June 30th when the quilt show closes, so be sure to come in an vote for your favorite!

Living Heritage Museum Offers Free Day to Area Girl Scouts

The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tennessee honors area Girl Scouts March 17, 2007 when Girl Scouts can tour the Living Heritage Museum for free! Girl Scouts has been making a difference in the lives of girls for over 90 years. Just as membership has grown (from 18 to nearly 4 million!), so has their place in history and their role as innovative and committed advocates for girls everywhere. In 2003 the Girl Scouts of the USA proudly announced passage of Senate Resolution 79, declaring the week of March 9th to 15th as National Girl Scout Week. The resolution passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. Each year Girl Scout Week commemorates the 1912 founding of Girl Scouting in the United States by Juliette Gordon Low. In the 91 years since, the organization has helped shape the lives of more than 50 million women.

The Museum will also have information that will be available about the new Girl Scout Badge Program that will available this spring that is sponsored in part by a grant from Volunteer Electric. This is your chance to be one of the first to see the new Living Heritage Museum Badge. Admission is free to Scouts but we do ask that Scout Leaders call in advance to let us know they are coming and to encourage their Scouts to wear their uniform. If you have any questions, or if you would like to be placed on our emailing list to receive updates on Scouting programs, please contact the Living Heritage Museum at 423-745-0329. Can’t make it on Saturday? Call today to find out how you can reschedule your free Scout Tour!

Museum Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Closed on major holidays.

History Comes Alive

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The Living Heritage Museums school programs give students a lesson in McMinn County heritage they can't get out of any textbook, because here at the Museum, history lessons come alive.

The Living Heritage Museum celebrated Black History Month February 8th and 9th, 2007. Area school children heard from individuals in first person representations of important figures in black history as well as those in our community who experienced segregation and life in McMinn County first hand. Guest artists Kofi and Rebekah Mawuko also performed for the students.

Zelma McClure, an Athens native will speak about her experiences with Prof. Nash and the hardships Mr. Nash faced and the importance of his struggle and the founding of Cook High.

Ruth Malone will speak about segregation and life in McMinn County.

Travis Haun spoke about famous African American inventors including George Crum the inventor of the potato chip in 1853.

Students watched and participated dances from Ghana, Kofi’s native land. Students also got the opportunity to watch Kofi, a master drummer with Kyirem Cultural Troupe, a Ghanaian-based performing company, perform. Visitors to the Museum also got to see Rebekah, a professional storyteller who also teaches dance, will be performing with her husband Kofi.

The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum sincerely appreciates the East Tennessee Foundation for support for this program.

• Diane Hutsell, Executive Director