Dyer County Historical Society elects officers, reviews year

Dyersburg-Dyer County Photography Club President Jeff Roush of Roush Photography Studios presents a copy of 'Three Stars of Tennessee With a Focus on Western Tennessee' to Dyer County Historical Society President Danny Walden at the Historical Society's recent annual meeting. A color book published this fall as part of the Three Stars of Tennessee Exhibition in Jackson, the work is a collection of images and stories about historical artifacts currently located throughout the region. [Click to enlarge]

The Dyer County Historical Society held its annual general meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Professional Development Center, with the entire membership and general public invited to attend.

According to Historical Society President Danny Walden, rainy weather may have reduced the number of participants, but many local residents still took advantage of the event as a chance to showcase the society's recent projects and begin plans for the future.

At the meeting, elections were held for five positions to serve on the Society's Board of Directors. Those elected to serve a three-year term included Carolyn Finley, Beverly Tipton, Teresa Wright, J. D. Stephens and Walden. The new board, consisting of 25 people, will elect officers at its January meeting.

Jeff Roush of Roush Photography Studios presented the Society with a copy of a color book that was published this fall as part of the Three Stars of Tennessee Exhibition in Jackson, Tennessee. The book, entitled "Three Stars of Tennessee with a focus on Western Tennessee," is a collection of stories and photos of historically significant artifacts belonging to West Tennesseans.

"I was fortunate to be asked to take part in the photography for this book," said Roush. "I was able to visit a lot of homes in West Tennessee and see firsthand items such as a bed that Davy Crockett slept in. I was also able to spend a few minutes with the honorary chairman of the exhibit, Jon Meacham, who is from Tennessee and works as the editor of Newsweek Magazine."

In other business, Walden gave the group an overview of projects the Society has been working on over the past weeks and months. The organization has made improvements to the Dyer County Museum, presented "Life on the Mississippi" in the Yates Auditorium, and attended field trips to other museums in the Dyer County area including Trimble, Bogota, Newbern and the Dyersburg Army Airbase at Halls,

"I am so pleased with the amount of quality work that this board and the membership has exhibited over the past 15 months," Walden said. "We have done so much, but we have a lot of work ahead of us."

Other points of interest discussed were:

- $4,000 Community Enhancement Grant

- Crime-stoppers - East Court Cemetery Damage

- Dyersburg Fabrics Safe

- Oral Interviews (20; some with video)

- Board meetings at Trimble, Newbern, Bogota and Halls.

- Booth at the Dyer County Fair

- Entry in the Christmas Parade

- Mississippi River Corridor Project

- Newsletter (Preserving the Past), Web page, brochure

- T.A.M. Conference in Jackson, Tenn.

- A Financial audit was done.

- Hosted a textbook author (Joy Hakim)

- Canoe Trip down the Forked Deer.

- Supported WWII memorial on Square

- Moved the Timmerman Dollhouse collection

- Planning DHS exhibit where lockers are in the PDC, now.

- First Annual Quilt Show

- "Life on the Mississippi" on Oct. 2

Presentations about the Society have been made to the following groups:

- Fifth Consolidated School PTO

- Cumberland Presbyterian Church

- Rotary (noon and breakfast)

- Retired Teachers Association

- DHS Class reunions ('53 and '58)

- WestStar

- Leadership and Youth Leadership of Dyer County

Walden also informed members that the building was recently featured on WLJT's "West Tennessee Journal" and the organization has purchased Past Perfect Software for the Museum, an audio recorder, two GB SD cards, two foot pedals for transcriptions and a life-like mannequin for the Allen Wright Flying Tigers exhibit.

Future plans of the organization include creating exhibits featuring the Dyersburg Fire Department, old Dyer County schools, Bob Norman - Indian artifacts, Dyersburg Fabrics, Allen Wright - Flying Tigers, Moss Island, the Chic community and historical maps. The group will also continue its oral interviews and consider a long-term strategic plan for the organization.

Those interested in more information on the Dyer County Historical Society may contact Danny Walden at 286-3611, or by mail at Professional Development Center, 305 College St., Dyersburg, TN 38024.