Reflect on Union County’s unique history with a visit to the Union County Museum and Genealogical Library, where you will feel right at home when greeted with a, “Welcome, how may I help you today, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting.” Museum volunteer Wanda Byerley says that many promptly return a smile and a family name that they wish to learn more about.

The very beginning of the organization began when some former Union Countians who worked together at Rohm and Haas of Tennessee, Inc. in Knoxville shared a love and attachment to their native county. In 1979, the idea of a society, museum, and historical library began to brew. The group wanted to preserve history, heirlooms, and artifacts for future generations to learn about family trees and heritage.

The Union County Historical Society, Inc. was founded in 1980, this being the 39th year active. The monthly meetings were bounced around at home locations until the fall of 1980 when use of the Community Center in Maynardville was permitted and used until construction of the current building was completed in 1994.

Members have volunteered hundreds of hours transcribing and indexing for the book collection available at the museum. Through the years, volunteers have invested themselves in keeping the museum going in all aspects. Many folks have donated heirlooms and memorabilia that are on display, either on loan or donation. No one has ever accepted monies for anything done at the museum. It has all been donated, “Free gratis, free time,” as said by Martha Atkins Carter. Volunteers are there to help, direct, and advise, always.

Martha is the editor of the quarterly Pathways journal which has been in print since 1982. Those who are members of the organization thru a $20 annual fee, receive these publications four times per year. There is a variety of genealogical information included in the Pathways. The quarterlies are sent to members from six countries oversees and to all states in the US but two. This is a broad reach for a county of Union’s size. Martha also has written books such as those defining sheriffs of Union County and many others.

Aside from the historical values available at the museum, the organization is also very supportive of the community in other ways. They entertain garden clubs, local school and 4-H club field trips, leadership classes, scout lessons for earning badges, class reunions, and more.

Not only is there historical Union County information, but also that from all the counties and states that the county was made up from. Wanda says, “If you don’t know where you came from, you don’t know where you’re going.” She wants everybody to enjoy and know the history between these wonderful people that we call grandma and grandpa as she knows and appreciates the depths of her own rich family history.

Three books are recommended when beginning to dive into a family history. The Footprints book which includes information about cemeteries and burials across the county; Census Reports which are filed at the museum from 1860-1940 and include information such as neighbors, where they lived, who was in the family and family graveyards; and marriage books. There are many varieties of books and reports available for purchase on site by local authors as well as others that are very helpful and informational in family and historical research.

On a walk thru the museum, you will come upon the vertical files which is the place to begin searching for family names and information regarding other research folks may have done. Next, in the back right corner there is a library of marriage books, families, churches, and surrounding counties of the making of Union County. You will even find a map of Loyston with names of property owners of land tracts before the flooding of that land, along with so many more visuals and reads.

The greatest need at the museum at this time is more space and more volunteers, but people are also invited to submit records, photographs, family stories, genealogical, historical, and biological information with encouraged accuracy and thoroughness in research and documentation.

Meetings are held each third Sunday of the month at 2:30pm, unless otherwise announced, and visitors are certainly always welcome. The library and museum are open Sundays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Monday and Tuesday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Visit the friendly folks with unending resources and information at 3824 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville, Tennessee, and kick start or add to your family research and knowledge.