SCOPE AND CONTENT

Andrew Gulliford was an history professor at MTSU from 1990-2000 and served as the Director of the Public History and Historic Preservation master’s degree and doctor of arts programs.  During this time, he served on the Board of Trustees for the Sam Davis Home from 1991-1995.  This collection documents the history of the Sam Davis Home and Dr. Gulliford's work as a trustee.  Due to his efforts, the museum made adjustments to its programs, interpretational focus, and administrative structure during his tenure.  While the ensuing growing pains caused some turmoil within the organization, the museum recovered from the brink of financial disaster and transformed into the dynamic museum it is today.  

Because of the small size of this collection, the contents are not divided into different series.  The folders contain information on the Board of Trustees' efforts to reform the By-Laws which resulted legal battle between the Sam Davis Memorial Association (SDMA) and the Board of Trustees.  Both boards saw their position, duties, and responsibilities to one another differently and they finally asked the State Attorney General to resolve the difference.  Also during this time period, the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of the Confederate Veterans vehemently disagreed with Dr. Gulliford's push to expand the museum's focus to also include the contextual interpretation of the site as a living history farm.  They wanted the site to only be a shrine to Sam Davis and to the Confederacy.  This resulted in a volley of correspondence between each of the organizations, press releases, and two attempts by these these Confederate memorial organizations to take over the SDMA Board of Directors in order for them to control policy at the museum.  Aside from the political controversies, the museum also underwent extensive renovation of its buildings, museum collections, and grounds during this time period.