Historical Society to focus on telling the story of Dyer County

Members of the Dyer County Historical Society received a hands-on and mouth-watering lesson from member Bart Williams and his antique cider press. Above, Carolyn Finley tosses an apple into the cider press, while David Hayes, Sharon Simpson and Bart Williams look on.

The group also viewed photos sent to the society by John Reed, grandson of Dr. John H. Reed. Dr. Reed served as a pharmacist in Dyersburg for 71 years during the middle part of the last century.

During the meeting, Historical Society President Danny Walden congratulated the group on a third-place ribbon received at the Dyer County Fair. The society partnered with the newly formed Dyersburg-Dyer County Photography Club to build a booth featuring both photos from the past and images submitted by photography club members.

Will Newsome encouraged the group to re-focus its efforts on the exhibits that are on display in the Dyer County Museum.

"We are going to improve the exhibits that are on display in the museum, starting now!" Newsome said, noting that while the current exhibits are interesting to look at, they don't really tell a story that relates to the history of the county. "We may know what those things are, but the average visitor probably does not. I want us to improve our exhibits so a story is told through the displays and the artifacts that we have."

Newsome presented a plan for work to be done on several exhibits in the museum. He was given approval to purchase a life-like mannequin for the Allen Wright, Flying Tigers uniform that has been given to the society by Jere Ozment. He also reported that the Timmerman Doll houses were ready to be moved to the main floor of the PDC and that work continues on the Dyersburg Cotton Products, Dyersburg Fire Department and the Norman Indian Artifacts collections.

It was noted that a future exhibit could focus on the schools that have been located throughout the county over many years. Many of the visitors to the fair booth stopped and talked about the school photos that were on display and the memories those photos invoked.

The Historical Society's oral history collection is nearing completion with 18 interviews finished and four transcribed.

Walden distributed tickets to the upcoming "Life on the Mississippi" performance, scheduled at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Yates Auditorium at the PDC.

"We want each person here to sell 10 tickets to this event," said Walden. "Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students 18 years and under. This is a fund-raiser for the society. We want to fill the Yates Auditorium with people who support our efforts."

Integrated Systems of Dyersburg owner Bentley Quertermous has donated a 32-inch, LCD, high-definition television to be given to someone who attends the "Life on the Mississippi" event. Advertising for this fund-raising event has started through flyers, brochures and radio and TV spots. Ken Teutsch, star of the event, and Walden are scheduled to be featured on WBBJ-TV's "Good Morning West Tennessee" on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to talk about the society and the fund-raising efforts.

Immediately following the meeting, the entire group was treated to freshly squeezed apple juice by Bart Williams and his antique cider press. In the yard in front of the PDC, Williams and several individuals helped produce apple juice from a box of fresh apples.

The October meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Those interested in more information on the Dyer County Historical Society may contact Danny Walden at the PDC, at 286-3611.