Interested in historic homes? Historic downtown Maynardville? East Tennessee history? Have you ever done a double-take and wondered what is that old building, what stories can it tell? If so, join us for a walk through history.
The Union County Farmers Market and UT Extension have partnered with Preservation Union County and the Union County Historical Society and Museum to bring you some wonderful walking experiences during National Preservation Month. Reliant Family Health is promoting good health in our community by sponsoring walking bucks for those that ‘Walk the Market’ during market hours – feel free to join us any Saturday at the market. UT Extension always promotes healthy lifestyle habits which include eating and preserving the farm fresh products available at the market, as well as providing additional walking adventures.
Our first walking adventure was this past Saturday at Big Ridge State Park where Ranger Hannah regaled us with stories of the Norton Gristmill, the Ghost House Trail and a little about Sharps Station. The fort was founded by Henry Sharp, Nicholas Gibbs, Levi Hinds and the families of Graves, Albright, Tillman, Faust, Loy and Keck and is located at the foot of Big Ridge, right on what is now Norris Lake.
Next Sunday, May 29, our adventure will continue as we move across the river (Norris Lake) to Sharps Chapel. Henry Sharp, as well as many of the Sharps Station settlers, had received a land grant for his service in the Revolutionary War. He and his son Conrad began building, settling in and helping develop a community. His grandson, Jacob Sharp then built a magnificent historic home which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. Our community knows this 1830’s, Federal Style historic jewel as the Bate Ousley House and Dave Whaley, current owner and restorer, will lead us on a first time ever, walking tour of the estate.
Come and explore the Bate Ousley home with us; learn more about the original buildings, how the home was built, where the bricks were made, check out the fine craftsmanship of the mantels, wanes coating, and cabinetry – we’ll even learn why we think of it as the Bate Ousley home. What ever happened to Jacob Sharp and the rest of the Sharp family? Who were the Ousley’s and who was Bate Ousley?
Bring the whole family on this Memorial Day weekend to celebrate our regions history. This is the first time that Dave has opened the estate for a tour, he has stories of the people that used to live there as well as restoration stories. The home sat vacant from 1970 until he purchased the property in 2005, his first job was to cover the house as it had no roof! This has been an ongoing labor of love - we may even be able to see the mural that local artist and historian, Betty Bullen, has been painting. We will meet at 2pm at the Bates Ousley home, 715 Big Valley Rd where Big Valley ends and Russell Brothers Rd begins.
Continue your Memorial Day adventures into our past on Tuesday, May 31 for our Downtown Maynardville past and present walk. This walking tour will be led by Clayrissa Hill, long-time resident and historian. She has written quite a bit about our downtown and even witnessed the fire at our Courthouse – in fact, she was the first to see the flames that burnt it to the ground. Park in the downtown area, meet on the front steps of the Courthouse (look for the walking sign!) at 10am, we’ll take a short history walk for everyone in the family, then you may continue your downtown walk or head up to the air-conditioned Union County Museum. Walking will rack up many more steps for the day but if you’re tired, drive to the museum and you will find plenty of parking available. Clayrissa and other wonderful museum volunteers will continue the program as we arrive at the museum.
Celebrate this Memorial Day weekend with a family trip to the Union County Farmers Market on Saturday, then bring the family to the Bate Ousley home on Sunday, enjoy Memorial Day with your family and bring them to our last walk during National Preservation Month which will meet at the Courthouse on Tuesday. We’re looking forward to seeing you “where our community meets”.