HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities is the oldest statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization in the State of Tennessee and the fourth oldest in the United States.  The organization has been preserving and maintaining historic sites that play an important role in demonstrating Tennessee’s rich cultural heritage since 1951. 

APTA’s mission is to “promote and encourage active participation in the preservation of Tennessee’s rich historic, cultural, architectural, and archeological heritage through restoration, education, advocacy, and statewide cooperation.”

APTA founder, Mrs. Louisa Van Ness

Louisa Van Ness felt a strong need for a statewide preservation organization in Tennessee.  The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) inspired Van Ness, who heard about the work the organization was doing upon visiting her sister in that state.  Upon returning Nashville, Van Ness and four of her friends—Mrs. Clark Hutton, Mrs. W. A. Buntin, Mrs. George Gale, and Mrs. Cecil Rogan Allen—each obtained five members to create Tennessee’s equivalent to APVA.  Thus, the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities was organized in October 1951. 

The following temporary officers were elected at that time:

• President—Mrs. Allen (Louisa) Van Ness
• Vice-President—Mrs. Patrick Milam
• Treasurer—Mrs. Oscar Noel
• Recording Secretary—Mrs. Dan McGugin, Jr.
• Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. George Gale

The APTA also assigned members into the following committees/positions:

• Charter & Constitution Committee
• Ways & Means Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Parliamentarian and Historian

The first official meeting of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities took place at Nashville’s Noel Hotel (200 4^th Avenue, North) on November 8, 1951, with approximately 100 charter members attending.  Speaker Dr. Robert H. White believed that “because of Tennessee’s slow moving ways and the state’s traditional lack of interest in its heritage, a group such as the Association to preserve what still remains [was] needed.”

Currently, 13 chapters administer 16 historic sites.  Hawkins County and Rutherford County also have APTA chapters.  The historic sites are listed as follows:

1.      Belle Meade Plantation, Nashville

2.      The Athenaeum Rectory, Columbia

3.      Buchanan Log House, Nashville

4.      Ft. Blount, Gainesboro

5.      Crockett Tavern Museum, Morristown

6.      Glenmore Mansion, Jefferson City

7.      Hannum-Rhea House, Somerville

8.      Ramsey House Plantation, Knoxville

9.      Holy Innocents Cemetery, Arlington

10.  Rachel H. K. Burrow Museum, Arlington

11.  Historic Post Office, Arlington

12.  Blacksmith Shop Site, Arlington

13.  The Pillars, Bolivar

14.  The Little Courthouse, Bolivar

15.  Lee House, Memphis

16.  Woodruff-Fontaine House, Memphis

The Rutherford County Chapter APTA

A group of preservation-minded citizens organized the Rutherford County chapter of APTA in 1952.  According to Mr. Steve Cates, current chair of the chapter, the present goal of this group is “to locate and mark buildings that are more than 75 years old.”  This includes important churches, other public buildings, and residential homes in the county.  The Rutherford County APTA marks these buildings with “a green marker on a black wrought-iron post.” 

Former Chairs of the Rutherford County Chapter APTA and their Estimated Dates of Office

(as mentioned within the collection materials):

·        Mrs. King O’Connor (1971)

·        Mrs. Charles L. Briley (1971-1977)

·        Miss Mary Hall (1977-?)

·        Mrs. John Woodfin (1979-1982?)

·        Marion Leatherman (1985-1986)

·        Jean Hurt (1986)

·        Alice Ray (1987-1988)

·        Marie Eubanks (1988-1989)

·        Nina Jackson (1989-1991)

·        Lurlene Rushing (1991-1992)

·        Ed DeBoer (1992-1994)

·        Donnie Duggin (1994-1997)

·        Penny Patton (1997-?)

·        Ed DeBoer & Shirley Jones, co-chairs (1999-2001)

·        Shirley Jones (2001-2003)

·        Ed DeBoer (2003-2004)

·        Bart Uselton (2004-2005)

·        Alice Ray (2005-?)

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