Culture and Heritage

 

The Culture and Heritage Committee was first formed in 2005 and immediately began cataloging the cultural strengths of McNairy County.  This committee developed and hosted the groundbreaking “Community, Culture and Commerce,” forum which brought artists, arts organizations, historic preservationists, business and community leaders, educators, tourism professionals and economic development specialists together to explore McNairy County’s heritage and cultural tourism possibilities.  “Community, Culture and Commerce,” was the first forum of it’s kind in West Tennessee and became the catalyst for an intense period of introspection about what constituted the cultural strengths of McNairy County.  Citizens were invited to participate by completing a community cultural survey developed with the assistance of the Tennessee Arts Commissions office of community arts development.  What emerged was a colorful and diverse tapestry of indigenous folk art forms, music, foods and other cultural expressions rooted in a fascinating county history.   

 

The committee’s efforts have born fruit in a number of areas including a renewed interest in several historic preservation projects, increased community pride in our common cultural heritage, the initiation or enhancement of several cultural events and better communications between heritage and cultural organizations in the area. 

 

The Heritage and Culture Committee continues to work with artists, arts related businesses, historic groups, tourism entities and other arts organizations to preserve and promote the cultural legacy of Southwest Tennessee.  Hockaday Handmade Brooms’ annual Broomcorn Festival, the annual quilt shows at Bethel Springs and Rose Creek Village Arts’ VillageFest are just a few of the existing events the committee seeks to promote.

 

Perhaps the most high profile event associated with the Heritage and Culture Committee has been the development of the AiM Artisan Trail, a biannual tour of area artist shops and studios.  Scheduled for the third weekends in March and November, the AAT is a great opportunity to sample the best of McNairy County culture first hand.  It is hoped that the artisan trail will soon become a permanent feature of the cultural landscape.  More details are available on the AAT section of this website.