One of my goals when I moved to Livingston was to learn as much as I could about my new hometown. I got a few steps closer to that goal with a visit to the Overton County Heritage Museum during Pioneer Days. I am a bit of a history nerd, and this long overdue visit didn’t disappoint. I got to chat with Paula Stover about the museum and its roots in the county.
Located in the former jail building, the museum is full of exhibits that trace the county’s marks on history from past to present. The displays are beautifully curated, and every corner holds something special.
There’s even an interactive display in one of the jail cells, where you can hear a recording of a prisoner telling the story of how he ended up there. It’s evident how much effort and time has been spent making Overton County’s history come alive. If you haven’t visited, you are missing out on something truly special.
The museum is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00-2:00. It’s also ran completely by volunteers. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, you can contact Paula at (931) 261-8492.
My next stop was the Joe L. Evins Community Center. It was hosting the Dale Hollow Artifact Show presented by the Dale Hollow Archeological Society. Growing up, no school ‘show and tell’ time would be complete without someone bringing in an arrowhead or two. For some, recess was just an opportunity to conduct their own version of an archeological dig.
But this show was more than arrowheads, although there were plenty of those goes to around. It was nature’s history on full display. Beautiful stone, beads, bones, and other artifacts that were here long before we were and will be here long after we are gone.
I spoke to one of the exhibitors, Steve Gentry, a life-long collector and enthusiast. As much as he loves the trading and collecting, he says it the searching that’s the soul of what he does. By the size of the crowd, I’d say he’s not the only one who feels that way.
I look forward to next year and exploring even more of what Pioneer Days has to offer.
