News

Coming In 2010
African Americans of Giles County Tennessee by Arcadia Publishing

Arcadia Publishing is the leading local history publisher in the United States, with a catalog of more than 5,000 titles in print and hundreds of new titles released every year.
Arcadia is best known for its popular Images of America series, which preserves and shares the history of individual communities throughout the country. Each title records a town’s or city's unique story through more than two hundred historic images.
Foreword is by Carroll Van West, director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University. Van West also serves as editor-in-chief of The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture and director of the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area. His many published works include the edited anthology, Trial and Triumph: Readings in Tennessee’s African-American Past (University of Tennessee Press, 2002).
Authors: Carla Jones and Tonya Hull

October 24, 2009 - First annual Folk Life Festival on the farmstead.

On Saturday October 24, 2009 the museum held its first Folklife Festival on the grounds of the farmstead. A chill in the air and the brilliant fall colors of the hillside behind the house made a perfect setting for the fire that was used to demonstrate candle making. Pocket dolls were made by the kids as well as basket weaving, wool looming and knitting demonstrations.

Adding to the day of fun were grist mill and apple pressing demonstrations that yielded some good tasting apple cider and fresh stone ground cornmeal which everyone enjoyed. Kids viewed a bee observatory that kindled their interest there and they learned what flint-knapping was as arrowheads were being made right before their eyes from stone. The day was topped off by music from Maddie Denton, 15 year old 2009 state fiddler champion and her parents. If you missed this year’s Folklife Festival at the farmstead there is always next year!


October 23, 2009 Elkton Historical Society’s Walk into History Day at the museum

Pictured below are Elkton Elementary 7th graders on a tour of the museum as part of the Elkton Historical Society's annual Walk into History Day on Friday, October 23.

On the farmstead April 17, 2009, there was a presentation ceremony for the unveiling of the MGHM quilt block for the Southern Middle Tennessee Quilt Trail. The MGHM quilt block is the first of many barns, houses and other historic buildings that will become sightseeing venues to introduce the public to the many virtues in southern middle Tennessee and to encourage tourism growth and community pride.


2009 Scheduled Restoration Before Pictures


Please check back after spring to see transformation pictures

Restoration work continues at the museum on stabilizing and making safe the foundation and flooring as we move closer to an opening date. This part of the restoration process will be done in three phases. Phase one will be the dinning and kitchen area, phase two the back porch/breeze way and the last phase will be securing the foundation and flooring of the main house.
If you would like to help in our restoration process you can by donating online. All donations are tax deductible.

2007 Restoration:
Rebuilt Front Porch Foundation and Deck

2008 Restoration:
Demo Chimney and Weather Proof
Secured Well and Repaired Lattice for Safety

2009 Scheduled Restoration:
Kitchen and Dining Room Foundation and Flooring
Main House Foundation and Flooring
Rebuild Back Porch Foundation and Deck

© Matt Gardner Homestead Museum. 501(c)(3) non-profit status. All rights reserved.