| LOCAL HISTORY
IN THE CLASSROOM |
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| Smyrna's
Early History |
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| Larger
Historical Context: |
| Smyrna's
early history falls into several broader historical themes such as
westward expansion, the impact of the railroad, the Civil War, and the
temperance movement. |
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| Lesson
Ideas: |
| 1.
When teaching about the railroad, students can gain a personal
understanding of how the railroad helped to create towns. Students
can learn about how important the placement of a train stop was in
determining city development. |
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| 2.
Students can use the many resources on Sam Davis and the Civil War in
Rutherford county to write fictional stories about life in Smyrna during
the war. Have students imagine themselves in different scenarios
and try to describe their thoughts and feelings. |
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| 3.
Older students can look at the impact of the temperance movement on
city politics. Students can use resources on this site, in the
Gore Center, or even at the State library to research the conflict over
liquor licenses and mayor A.W. Page's support of the temperance movement
that led to the repeal of the town's charter in 1881. |
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| Other
Sources: |
| The
Sam Davis home and Stones River National Battlefield both provide
excellent sources on the Civil War in Rutherford County. Many
sources exist at the Smyrna Library, including Walter King Hoover's two
volume Smyrna history. Hoover's second book includes excerpts from
the town's record book and the mayor's journal. At the Gore
Research center, there are also many sources, including photographs and
mayor A.W. Page's personal diary. |
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| View
Smyrna's Early History Page |
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Educators
| Links |
| ©2001 Albert Gore Research
Center |
| Contact
the Gore Center at (615) 898-2632 or by email at grcenter@mtsu.edu |