RESOURSES - HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS

Association For The Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities - Arlington Chapter
www.arlingtonapta.org

APTA (Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities) is a statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization established in 1951. The Arlington Chapter, chartered on May 21, 1979, promotes and preserves Arlington history through five historic sites maintained by the Chapter (Historic Post Office, Blacksmith Shop, Rachel H.K.Burrow Museum, Harrell Farm Log Cabin, and Holy Innocents Church, Cemetery and Meditation Garden) and through community activities. For membership and more information, email Apta.arlington.tn@gmail.com

Bartlett Historical Society
www.facebook.com/Bartlett-Historical-Society-Bartlett-TN

Home for the Bartlett Historical Society and Bartlett Museum is the Gotten House, 2969 Court Street in the historic Bartlett area. Nicholas Gotten, a native of Spangdahlem, Germany, immigrated to America at age 22, and worked up north before coming to Tennessee. He settled in the Union Depot area (future Bartlett) in 1860 and established himself as a blacksmith. The Bartlett Museum is open on the first and third Sundays of each month from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Artifacts, photographs, period furniture and written files on the history of Bartlett are on display.

Daughters of the American Revolution – Zachariah Davies Chapter
tndar.org/~zachariahdavies
The Zachariah Davies Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized on October 3, 1945 by Ellen Davies Rodgers as organizing Regent. While the charter is Brunswick, Tennessee, we serve Northeast Memphis, Shelby County including Arlington, Cordova, Lakeland and surrounding areas. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit volunteer women's organization founded over 100 years ago on the principles of service in education, patriotism, and historic preservation. The DAR offers an opportunity to work with youth through educational programs; offers encouragement to become active in the community, to assist in historic preservation, and to help preserve important documents and records of the past.

Davies Manor Historic Site
www.daviesmanor.org

The mission of the Davies Manor Historic Site is to preserve and enhance Davies Manor as a portrayal of early Shelby County farm life for the education and enjoyment of visitors. The Manor house, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, features tours of rooms of furniture of early American living and farm life. Hillwood Hall is a rustic setting available for weddings, receptions and parties year round. In May 1998, Davies Manor was certified by the National Wildlife Federation. The Plantation area is an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat providing the four basic habitat elements needed for wildlife to thrive: food, water, cover, and places to raise young. The Manor House, one of the oldest residences in Shelby County, is open April-October, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Several other historic cabins are featured in the wooded 37 acres, along with wildlife, trails, a Class 2 arboretum, goats, bees and gardens. 3570 Davieshire Drive, Bartlett (901-386-0715).

Descendants of Early Settlers of Shelby County & Adjoining Counties
www.facebook.com/pg/DESSCAC/posts

Settlement of the counties of Shelby, Fayette and Tipton in Tennessee, of Crittenden in Arkansas, and of DeSoto in Mississippi began in earnest around 1820, during a period known as the Era of Good feelings because of unbridled optimism and lessened sectional and political strife. The Descendants of Early Settlers of Shelby County & Adjoining Counties organization was formed 1972 with interest in those with ancestry in this area prior to 1871. For membership information and an application, please go to https://earlysettlers.wordpress.com/124-2/

Fayette County Historical Society
www.fayettecountyhistorical.org

The Fayette County Historical Society was chartered as a nonprofit corporation in July 1971 to discover, collect, preserve and make accessible to the public materials which establish and illustrate the history of the county, its cities, towns, villages.

Germantown Charity Horse Show
www.gchs.org

Begun in 1948, the Germantown Charity Horse Show is one of the longest-running all-breed horse shows in the nation - for locals and out-of-towners, young and old, new to horses and old timers. Expect to be amazed at the beautiful horses, skillful riders and fun crowds. From hunter jumpers (yes, jumping over fences) to carriage driving and Gypsy Vanner horses, and from American Saddlebred to Paso Fino classes, one will see a variety of horses and riding styles. The show benefits Kindred Place (formerly known as the Exchange Club Family Center of Memphis) and has contributed to local education programs. The Germantown Charity Horse Show is a U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition, giving it national recognition for its contribution to the community and to the sport. All events are held at the Germantown Charity Show Grounds, 7745 Poplar Pike in Germantown (901-754-0009).

Germantown Historical Commission
www.germantown-tn.gov/government/city-boards-commissions/historic

The Germantown Historic Commission provides for the development and preservation of historic documents, structures, areas, oral history, pictorial history and other materials deemed essential to the historic significance of the City of Germantown. Meetings are the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:00p.m. at the Tennessee Genealogical Center, 7779 Poplar Pike. The commission consists of ten members appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. For
more information, contact Natalie Ruffin at NRuffin@Germantown-TN.gov or (901) 757-7205.

Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center
www.germantown-tn.gov/play/germantown-regional-history-and-genealogy-center

Organized in 1947, the Tennessee Genealogical Society (TNGS) received its charter from the State of Tennessee in 1952 and has been continuously publishing since 1954. TNGS is a
non-profit, tax-exempt organization, completely staffed by volunteers. The society is presently located in the historic area of Old Germantown with offices and lecture rooms adjacent to the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center (GRHGC). The purpose of TNGS is creating and maintaining an organization and a society for the study and investigation of genealogical history and genealogical records, while receiving and collecting genealogical and historical records and preserving such records in libraries and archives.
7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown 901-754-4300

Lynching Sites Project of Memphis
www.lynchingsitesmem.org

The Lynching Sites Project of Memphis is part of a growing network of people who want the whole and accurate truth to be told about the history of Shelby County. We believe that we can heal and grow in understanding when we face openly the history of racial violence in our community. In this work, we join with the national effort of the Equal Justice Initiative to memorialize over 4,000 known lynchings in our country between 1877 and 1950. The Mission Statement is that the Lynching Sites Project of Memphis collaborates with others to cultivate courageous conversations and programs that uncover the whole truth of racial terror and violence and change the narrative in Shelby County, leading to understanding, compassion, and healing, while working toward racial equality and justice. the sites of these lynchings and place a memorial at each one.

www.facebook.com/lynchingsitesmem

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
www.tnstateparks.com/parks/meeman-shelby

Bordering the Mighty Mississippi River, two-thirds of this 12,539-acre park is bottomland hardwood forests of large oak, cypress, and tupelo. The park contains two lakes, 18 miles of hiking trails, disc golf course, a five-mile bike trail, and beautiful picnic areas and playgrounds. A boat ramp is maintained on the Mississippi River. Deer, turkey, beaver, foxes, and more than 200 species of birds and other wildlife are abundant. The park is named for Edward J. Meeman, courageous conservation editor of Scripps-Howard newspapers who helped establish this park, as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In keeping with Meeman’s beliefs on conservation and education, the park’s Nature Center has live reptile and raptor displays as well as touch tables, crafts, and a variety of programs, including pontoon boat trips, deep swamp canoe floats and guided hikes.
910 Riddick Road, Millington 800-471-5293 901-876-5215

Memphis Area Association of Governments
www.maagov.org

Created in 1968 through state and federal legislation, Memphis Area Association of Governments (MAAG) serves as a regional clearinghouse for federal programs in support of economic, housing and community development initiatives to county governments in Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton in Tennessee; DeSoto in Mississippi; and Crittenden in Arkansas. MAAG endeavors to work closely with member governments and nonprofit organizations to identify craft and lobby for legislation and public policy that serves to improve the overall quality of life for residents. MAAG is one of nine Development Districts in all of Tennessee.

http://facebook.com/maagov/                  http://Instagram.com/WestTNDayTrippin

Memphis Heritage
www.memphisheritage.org

Historic preservation helps the environment by curbing urban sprawl and encouraging smart development. Historic preservation fosters education by providing the atmosphere and the structures that teach us about the past. Historic preservation is patriotic as it preserves and teaches respect for the legacy of our nation and the built environment of our forefathers. Historic preservation builds community awareness. Historic preservation beautifies our neighborhoods as places where people want to live. With all these virtues and this evidence revealing powerful economic benefits, historic preservation quite simply makes Memphis and Shelby County a better place to live, work, or visit. The mission of Memphis Heritage is to educate and coordinate individuals and groups to save, improve, reuse, and maintain architecturally and historically significant buildings, neighborhoods, parks, and cultural artifacts of Shelby County, Tennessee. Volunteer opportunities are abundant with Memphis Heritage. 2282 Madison Avenue, Memphis 901-272-2727

Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club
www.memphishightailers.com

Founded in 1962, the mission is creating a better community through bicycling in the greater Memphis area. Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club envisions an inclusive, diverse and accepting community where people of all ages and backgrounds bicycle to work, to get around, and for fun and for health and where bicycling brings people and neighborhoods together in the Greater Memphis Area. Goals are to educate the Greater Memphis area on bicycle safety and awareness, to increase the visibility of the Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club to reach a broader audience, to cultivate a community of bicyclists and non-bicyclists who respect each other on the road or trail and support a broad-based coalition promoting bicycling as part of a larger vision of healthy, sustainable, and connected living, to engage more people of all communities, backgrounds and ages to cycle regularly and safely for transportation, fitness, recreation, and daily activities, and to help expand and improve infrastructure facilitating safe and convenient cycling.

www.facebook.com/MemphisHightailersBicycle Club/

Memphis Runners Track Club
www.facebook.com/Memphis-Runners-Track-Club-129700725831/

The running club, which was originally called Memphis Striders, was informally organized in 1975 and thereafter changed the name to Memphis Runners Track Club. by Bud Joyner, who was proprietor of the first running store in Memphis. Bud's wife thought that Memphis Runner's Track Club sounded better than Memphis Striders, so that became the name. The Memphis Runners Track Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and fitness through programs of amateur road racing, cross country, and track, in the spirit of fun and competition. It is considered one of the largest and most active running clubs in the nation. Accurate course measurements, exact timing, race results, setting up complex finish lines, acquiring volunteers, organizing races, running group placements, and our various training programs are just some of the activities that show how the club's presence has shaped Memphis running as we know it today.

Morton Museum of Collierville History
www.colliervillemuseum.org

The Morton Museum of Collierville History collects, preserves, and interprets Collierville's dynamic history to make the past tangible, relevant, and meaningful for today's diverse community and for generations to come. Situated in Collierville's Historic Downtown, the Morton Museum invites visitors to explore Collierville's rich heritage. Permanent and changing exhibitions engage friends, families, and children in interactive learning opportunities. The Visitor Center offers resources to help enhance your Collierville Experience. The Museum is located at the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Main Street just off the Town Square. The Morton Museum acts as the gateway to Collierville's Historic District. Begin at the Museum, take-in the exhibitions, historic objects, and breathtaking architecture. The museum is located in the former Collierville Christian Church that was originally founded in Fayette County, near the end of the Civil War. Construction began at the location near the corner of Main and Poplar in 1873. This historic landmark was built as a one-story frame vernacular Gothic Revival with a two-story corner tower and steeple. Collierville Christian Church worshiped at the Gothic white building from 1873 until 1992. 196 Main Street, Collierville 901-457-2650
Open: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday & Holidays FREE!

Nonconnah Creek Conservancy
www.facebook.com/NonconnahCreekConservancy
www.facebook.com/nococreek/

The Nonconnah Creek Conservancy was established in 2016. The organization gives the opportunity to become involved with the community, raise awareness of the natural and cultural treasures present, and encourage the public to become stewards of the resources of the 29.7 mile long Nonconnah Creek and its watershed. The main vision of the organization is to connect the greater Memphis community to these resources that currently few know much about.
Open meeting on the second Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Audubon Town Village, 950 Cherry Road.

Rosemark Historic District
www.rosemarkhistoricdistrict.com

The Historic Archives of Rosemark and Environs (HARE) is a 501(s)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to document & preserve historic information & items of the Rosemark region for educational purposes. It is primarily responsible for the creation of the Rosemark Historic District. Please consider a tax deductible contribution to help them continue these efforts. In 2013 the Rosemark Historic District was placed in the National and Tennessee Registers of Historic Places by the National Park Service of the United States Department of Interior and. chartered with the Secretary of State for the State of Tennessee in 2009.

Historic Archives of Rosemark and Environs, Inc.’s stated purpose is to “create and publish
An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County – Salem, Portersville, Idaville, Kerrville, Armourtown, Bethel, Tipton, Mudville, Macedonia, Gratitude, Barretville, and Rosemark, Tennessee; and to create and publish a collection of maps of the area, both separately and in combination. HARE will also catalog and preserve photographs of historic interest, local familial archival materials, and items of historic interest, as well as a collection of oral history tape recordings. It is the intention of HARE to make as much of this information as possible available through internet access, to edit and publish other materials of local historic interest, and to contribute to the preservation of local historic sites. HARE is formed exclusively for literary and educational purposes.”
www.facebook.com/RosemarkHistoricDistrict/

Shelby County Conservation Board
www.shelbycountytn.gov/124/Conservation-Board

The Conservation Board is responsible for acquiring, developing, and maintaining all county parkways, playgrounds, public park services, and recreational conservation areas, such as Edmund Orgill Park. Members of the nine-person Shelby County's Conservation Board serve five-year terms and are confirmed by the Shelby County Commission following appointment by the county mayor. Open quarterly meetings are held at 1075 Mullins Station - Suite #C-142
Memphis. 901-222-7801.

Shelby County Historical Commission
www.facebook.com/ShelbyCountyHistoricalCommission

The Shelby County Historical Commission (SCHC) was created in 1965 by the Shelby County Quarterly Court (now Shelby County Board of Commissioners). The SCHC works on behalf of historical awareness, preservation and education. Some of the duties include reviewing and approving requests for historical markers, maintaining a reference book on all historical markers in the county, directs media and public attention to historic preservation issues, recognizes with awards area high school and college historical scholars, recognizes area historical authors and literary works, offers guest speakers to community organizations, participates in relevant historical commemorative events, interacts with schools and historic preservation groups in furtherance of these goals, and applies for, manages, and assists with grants from groups and foundations for historic purposes. Members of the SCHC serve four-year terms and are appointed by the Shelby County mayor and confirmed by the Shelby County Commission. In all, this commission is comprised of 33 members.
www.shelbycountytn.gov/135/Historical-Commission

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
www.shelbyfarmspark.org

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC or the Conservancy) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages and operates Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline through a private-public partnership with Shelby County Government. That means the land the comprises the 2,900-acre Shelby Farms Park and Greenline is publicly owned, and SFPC is responsible for daily management, fundraising to meet operations budget needs, setting the vision for the Park’s future and stewarding its natural resources. The SFPC mission is to manage, operate, restore and improve Shelby Farms Park in partnership with and for the public. With the support of volunteers, donors and partners, we are doing just that! Each year, SFPC privately raises funding for the Park and the Greenline through general donations, corporate and foundation support. 6903 Great View Drive North, Memphis 901-222-PARK (7275)

Tennessee Genealogical Society
www.tngs.org

Organized in 1947, the Tennessee Genealogical Society (TNGS) received its charter from the State of Tennessee in 1952 and has been continuously publishing since 1954. TNGS is a
non-profit, tax-exempt organization, completely staffed by volunteers. The society is presently located in the historic area of Old Germantown with offices and lecture rooms adjacent to the Germantown Regional History and Genealogy Center (GRHGC). The purpose of TNGS is creating and maintaining an organization and a society for the study and investigation of genealogical history and genealogical records, while receiving and collecting genealogical and historical records and preserving such records in libraries and archives.
7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown 901-754-4300

Tennessee Trails Association – Memphis Chapter
www.tennesseetrails.org

The Tennessee Trails Association is a non-profit (501c3) organization, founded in 1968, whose mission is to promote the development of a statewide system of hiking trails. Throughout the year, TTA members enjoy the many hiking opportunities afforded by the hundreds of miles of Tennessee Trails. You can do the same. If you like to hike, or think you would, check out our calendar and come hike with us!
Many TTA members also volunteer their time and energy to build and maintain trails on both public and private land throughout Tennessee. If you would like to be a part of this great effort, check out our volunteer opportunities and come work with us! For more information, e-mail your name and complete mailing address to the membership director, or send by regular mail to:
Tennessee Trails Association Lynne Witherington (Memphis Chapter)
P.O. Box 41446
Nashville, TN 37204-1446
901-230-1501
withlynne@aol.com

U.S. Daughters of the War of 1812, Piomingo Chapter
www.usdaughters1812.org/sites/piomingo-chapter

The U.S.D. of 1812, founded in 1892, is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving and increasing knowledge of the history of the American people by the preservation of documents and relics, marking of historic spots, recording of family histories and traditions, celebration of patriotic anniversaries, teaching and emphasizing the heroic deeds of the civil, military, and naval life of those who molded this Government between the close of the American Revolution and the close of the War of 1812, to urge Congress to compile and publish authentic records of men in civil, military, and naval service from 1784 to 1815 inclusive, and to maintain at National Headquarters in Washington D.C., a museum and library of memorabilia of the 1784-1815 period. The Piomingo Chapter of Millington was organized in 1991. The Chapter is named for the Indian Chief Piomingo who assisted the Spanish explorers who first came to Memphis.

West Tennessee Historical Society
www.wths-tn.org

The West Tennessee Historical Society is the umbrella heritage organization for the Western Grand Division of Tennessee. Within its twenty-one counties, it supports historical programs, archives, publications, preservation, markers, museums, and other historical collections. Thus, the society promotes all aspects of state and local history. The Society welcomes all membership applications. The Society also welcomes visitors and the participation of non-members at its meetings and activities.

The WTHS Papers is a peer-reviewed journal that invites authors to submit any paper that pertains to historical events in West Tennessee, the Mid-South Region – which includes North Mississippi, the Missouri Bootheel, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Central and Northern Arkansas, and Northwest Alabama-or the South at-large. Information about essay submissions may be submitted to WTHS Editor Dr. Rita Hall at rita.hall@hotmail.com

The WTHS membership has ranged between about 450 and 600 persons over the last decade. There are several classifications of membership in the WTHS including: Life, Sustaining, Family, Individual and Group. Full information is available by contacting the Society at:
WTHS, P.O. Box 111046, Memphis, TN 38111
www.facebook.com/West-Tennessee-Historical-Society

West Tennessee Historical Society Papers
Editions of WTHS Papers online (1947-2015)

Annually since 1947, the West Tennessee Historical Society Papers has been published as a peer-reviewed journal that invites authors to submit any paper that pertains to historical events or people in West Tennessee, the Mississippi Delta Region, or the South at large. Book reviews, historical website reviews, museum reviews, documentary reviews, etc., are also presented.

Dr. Rita Hall (rita.hall@hotmail.com) is the Editor of the Papers.

To view hundreds of incredible stories and topics online from 1947-2015, visit the Shelby County Register’s web site,
 Archives | Shelby County Register of Deeds
Scroll down to Exhibits, select West TN Historical Society Papers 1947-2015, accept the disclaimer at the bottom, and Proceed.
Direct Link ~ Shelby County Register of Deeds WTHSP

Wolf River Conservancy
www.wolfriver.org

The Wolf River Conservancy (WRC) was founded in 1985 when a group of volunteers came together to successfully oppose a new gravel mine along the Wolf River near Summer Avenue in Memphis. Afterwards, these volunteers chartered the Wolf River Conservancy as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement Wolf River lands for sustainable recreation and education, and its watershed as a sustainable natural resource. WRC is protecting the habitat within the Wolf River watershed, spearheading the Wolf River Greenway project along the urban Wolf River, connecting people of all ages to the Wolf River through education, and is providing outstanding recreational opportunities for the community.

The spring-fed Wolf River rises in north Mississippi and flows northwest through Fayette and Shelby counties to join the Mississippi River at Memphis. Carving a green passage through 90 miles of forests, fields, and communities, the Wolf's upper reaches are lush wetlands of unmatched natural beauty that help to recharge or drinking water aquifer. Its lower stretches contain refuges of floodplain forest in the heart of Memphis. The Wolf River is vitally important, protecting our drinking water and providing outstanding recreational and educational opportunities. A natural treasure, the Wolf River belongs to all of us.
www.facebook.com/wolfriver