Bringing back living re-enactment at Pleasant Forest Cemetery, Battle of Campbell Station ‘160’ ideas told
Farragut Museum Committee is working on re-enactment-related plans for the fiscal year and beyond as the museum remains closed due to upcoming Town Hall renovations.
Living history, Battle re-enactments
Mayor Ron Williams reported on two potential events during the committee’s June 27 meeting, the first being a living history re-enactment at Pleasant Forest Cemetery, a project the Town previously hosted several years ago.
“It was really a popular thing and I would like to do it again, with both committees involved and with a broader scope, because we now have that cemetery deemed a military cemetery, which means it does qualify for Wreaths Across America,” he said, “which we would like to start doing sometime soon. So maybe this does grow legs and is something we can do maybe next year.
“We would also like to get ahold of Loretta Bradley and get the African-American community involved in this as well,” Williams added. “Quite a few African Americans are buried across the road and in (Pleasant Forest), too. This has been the first opportunity I’ve had to say anything.”
The other thing was “something down the road,” Williams said concerning holding a Battle of Campbell Station re-enactment on the Town’s recently purchased --- acres along McFee Road. “... Possibly we could do the re-enactment there. It is partially woods, partially field. There is plenty of open land, open woods, not near neighborhoods (otherwise bothered by) cannon noise.”
Battle of Campbell Station 160th
Museum committee member Bill Rhodes suggested a subcommittee meet to determine what or how to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Campbell Station Nov. 16.
A previous subcommittee had been working toward a possible commemoration but was told McFee Park could not be used over concerns a re-enactment could damage the grounds. It also was mentioned nearby residents might take issue with any loud noise. “I’m envisioning something not overly complicated, but over here at the Campbell Station Inn to set up a table, to sell stuff, a minister to offer a prayer for the folks who died here and a salute, with rifles,” Rhodes said.
The committee suggested again working with a subcommittee on the proposal, and Rhodes offered to serve as chair.
Suggested museum upgrades
“The Museum is closed, and we have display cases, I think they have been there many years,” said Eric Johnson, one of Farragut’s founders, a former Alderman, museum volunteer and recent museum committee appointee. “You told me, Dot [LaMarche, museum committee chair and former Town vice mayor], we have some money in the bank. I’m thinking they and the museum could use a little updating.
“In relation to money as I understand the [Town’s] hotel/motel tax money, is supposed to go for tourism, and the museum falls under tourism, so if we don’t have enough money [in the bank], maybe we should go talk to Ron,” he added with a chuckle.
“You gotta watch that,” said Williams. “The legislative body was very distinct of what it could be spent on, as far as tourism — some things you can do, some things you can’t.
“[Tourism manager] Karen [Tindal] could fill you in on what you can and can’t do.”
“We have also lost the folklife museum sign off the interstate,” said Johnson. “We could also do some advertising in the paper, for the museum.
Museum/historic resources head leaves
“Jesse [Williams] has resigned and there are no plans to hire anyone new while the museum is closed,” said LaMarche of the former historic resources coordinator, who resigned in June after working for the Town about three months.
“We have to wait for the Town to make that decision [on hiring a new coordinator],” she said. “All we can do until then is make notes of our suggestions, and write it down and work with our new person who comes in, when he/she is hired.
“We want to work with them to see what we can do to make the museum better, because all of us want our museum to be the best one we can possibly have,” Lamarche added. “And, it needs to be about Farragut, Concord, Admiral Farragut and the Battle of Campbell Station —that’s what it needs to be about — it’s the whole reason the museum was founded.”
LaMarche also suggested considering a museum membership drive in the future.
The Museum committee will meet again Tuesday, Aug. 29, in Farragut Community Center.
