The Mark Monroe corn crib on the grounds of the Union County Museum sports a new roof, thanks to Dan Wyrick and the employees of Wyrick Roofing on Highway 33, who donated their labor to preserve a Union County historical landmark. Billy Myers contributed new lumber to make sure there were no leaks. Judson Palmer and Dennis Johnson, both members of the Union County Historical Society, assumed the responsibility of providing the cedar shakes and materials so the Wyricks could use their skill.

Mark Monroe was one of the pioneers of Maynardville when it was known as Liberty. In about 1840, he moved his family from the Powder springs area to assume ownership of land that stretched from Ailor Gap to Nave Hill. The land where the current Horace Maynard Middle School that was once Horace Maynard High School now stands was part of the Monroe tracts. Mark Monroe also donated the land for the Union County courthouse.

The Mark Monroe Corn Crib was preserved through the vision of Bonnie and Sam Peters along with a host of community volunteers. Larry Lay as County Executive aided the effort by not only giving permission to move the crib but personally driving the truck to haul the logs. Scott Skeen of Plainview and Brian Brantley of Maynardville teamed up with Scott's dad, Hall Skeen of Tater Valley, and some alternative sentencing persons to number the logs, remove them, and reassemble the logs on the museum site with the blessing of the Union County Board of Education. Skeen also built the rafters, and a professional roofer finished the job.

Now, some 20 years later, the corn crib stands proudly refurbished for another quarter century.

[Information regarding the corn crib's history was from Mark Monroe: An East Tennessee Pioneer and his Corn Crib by Sam C. Peters and Bonnie Heiskell Peters.]