Mission
The mission of the Granville Museum, in Granville, TN, is to function as a repository for artifacts, historical information and genealogy related to families in local and surrounding communities. The site will serve as a resource for historical collections. The museum will use interesting, educational approaches to display, present, and interpret Granville's unique past and its people for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
To accomplish this mission, the Granville Museum will:
- Create a place where people of all ages and various backgrounds can view and appreciate the work of local artists. The exhibitions and programs will be designed to strengthen and sustain the talents of these regional artists.
- Preserve and promote bluegrass, gospel, classic, country and old time music through Saturday night concerts and community festivals.
- Record and display the military stories, including World War II maneuvers and describe their impact on the local community.
- Honor the area's unique riverboat and farming heritage.
- Serve as a storytelling site to enhance the area's oral history.
Background
In 1999 a group of concerned local citizens joined together to preserve the history of Granville, Tennessee as well as preserve the former Granville Church of Christ building which has also served as a private school building. This was a major endeavor for a community of 250 people, but was accomplished far beyond our dreams. In five short months a local board was formed, a building was remodeled and historical items were gathered for the first Granville Heritage Day on Saturday, May 29, 1999. This was accomplished through private gifts, with no governmental support.
In 2001, we added a building to the side to house a farm implement museum. A two story addition was completed in 2003 which contains our military, school and music displays along with a restroom on the first floor. The second floor is a replica of an early 1900's home, completely furnished.
In 2005 we computerized our museum. Heritage Day has grown to an attendance in 2005 of 6,500. It is one of the larger community events in the Upper Cumberland with no admission charge. Our museum publishes three newsletters each year to 2,000 mailing addresses. We have a "Friends of the Museum" group which contribute $25.00 annually to the museum. Our building preservation program has helped preserve an 1850's two story general store which was in a state of total disrepair and a 1930's bank, post office and barber shop building which are now museums, complete with some of the original furnishings.
In 2005 we started the Granville Century Farm and Home Program to promote the preservation of family homes and farms in Granville. For five years we hosted a Veterans Appreciation Day in November of each year, until we had honored each military war of years past. In 2006 we started storytelling events which have been well received and the
"Jimmy C. Gotcher After-School Music Program" is managed by the Granville Museum Inc. It was started by a donation honoring the father of the local high school and middle school band teacher.
In 2007 we developed a historical Down Memory Lane next to the museum which is a walking historical park.
In 2008 we opened the 1880 Sutton General Store operating as a general store, dining room with plays and storytelling. Each Saturday night we offer Sutton Ole Time Music Hour with different bluegrass bands performing with the program being taped for radio. We also have 2 dinner seating's each Saturday.
On June 21st we opened the Granville Arts & Cultural Center on the second floor of Sutton General Store in a partnership with the Upper Cumberland Arts Alliance.
Impact
This story includes, but is not limited to, a rich river boat history, strong agricultural ties, World War II maneuvers, small town life, a diverse musical history, and detailed genealogy. We sponsor annual festivals, on-going cultural and artistic events utilizing our two facilities, the Granville Museum and the Sutton General Store. We draw thousands of visitors to the area each year thus having a positive economic impact on the community. Our programs serve a diverse population of varied ages, backgrounds, cultures, and knowledge levels. In 2011 the organization opened the Sutton Homestead which is a
historic home, craftsmen shops, transportation museum, log homestead
with out buildings, gardens and ag museum.
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The Granville Museum, Inc. was formed in 1999 to preserve the history of the historic riverboat town of Granville, Tennessee. We have endeavored to preserve our historic buildings as well as host three annual cultural events to promote the arts in the Upper Cumberland area. Being in a rural county, our museum has met the needs of all ages, races and income levels. We have preserved the past by producing a DVD of the history of Granville, publishing a pictorial history book and cookbook.
Our museum showcases the lifestyle of Granville in earlier days focusing on business, families and homes, churches, schools, military, and agriculture.
Our largest event of the year, Heritage Day, preserves the past and carries the story into the future with craftsmen demonstrations, Civil War reenactment, storytelling, bluegrass festival, and antique cars, tractors and engines shows.
In October we conduct "Jazz on the Cumberland" where we have professional musicians as well as high school and college bands performing on a stage at Granville Veterans Park on the banks of the Cumberland River. On this same day we have a Quilt Festival preserving the talent of the past and promoting the current talent with competition and seminars.
In December we host Granville Country Christmas which promotes musical talents for the holidays.
We have just purchased the Sutton Homestead which is a town block
consisting of a 1870 home, garage, barn, metal building and vacant property. We have raised the money to pay for the property and we have
begun the development of the home being a exhibition center as well as
historic home, metal building becoming a Transportation Museum, garage
becoming a blacksmith shop, weaving shop, grist mill shop as well as
ag museum. The vacant property will become a Pioneer Village of
yesteryear. The focus of this property is teach children our great heritage
of yesteryear as well as telling the story to all ages. We are in the process
of raising addtional funds to complete this great project.
We were given the Sutton General Store in 2007 and opened in April 2008 as a operating store Wednesday thru Saturday. We have Sutton Ole Time Music Hour each Saturday night with live radio taping. Our dining room offers storytelling and plays. The Sutton General Store is the home of the Granville Arts and Cultural Center which encourages, promotes, and facilitates the arts in the area while offering a glimpse into Granville's past.
Needs
1. Funding for programs
2. Development of Storytelling Festival
3. Further develop and enhance museum exhibits
4. Development of Sutton Homestead and funding for development.
5. Funding for staff
Other ways to donate, support, or volunteer
Visit website,
www.granvilletn.com to Become a Friend of the Museum. Choose Friends of Museum from About Us in sidebar menu.
Various volunteer opportunities available. All interested parties may leave contact information with webmaster and you will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator.