In 1966, The National Preservation Act was enacted, establishing a federal policy for preserving our nation's heritage and creating the National Register of Historic Places and the National Landmark Program.

In order to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America, The National Trust for Historic Preservation created preservation week in 1971. Because of overwhelming popularity, the Trust decided to extend the celebrations to last the entire month of May.

Today, hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country celebrate the places that hold history and are dear to their hearts during National Preservation Month.

In joining with the rest of the country, Union County Mayor Jason Bailey has proclaimed May to be Preservation Union County Month. The nonprofit organization by the same name has organized and is joining with a number of events throughout the county during May to encourage people to celebrate the places that are meaningful to them and their communities.

The celebrations will kick off on Monday, May 6th, with an Open House and Genealogy Research Assistance from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Union County Museum and Genealogical Library located at 3824 Maynardville Hwy., Maynardville.

Festivities will continue on Saturday, May 11th, at the Historic Oak Grove School Building (a restoration project by Preservation Union County) located at 412 Oak Grove Rd., Sharps Chapel, with a Quilt Show by the Norris Lake Quilting Bee from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Then, on Wednesday, May 15th, Luttrell Library located at 115 Park Rd., Luttrell, will host Historic Luttrell Day with exhibits and invites people to bring their photos and other artifacts of historic Luttrell for display from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

On Saturday, May 18th, Preservation Union County will exhibit in the Plainview Spring Festival, sponsored by Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at 1037 Tazewell Pike, Plainview.

To complete the month of celebrations on Saturday, May 25th, The Union County Farmers Market will have a Preservation Theme, and Preservation Union County will host a ribbon cutting and dedication of the Veterans Bridge Memorial and Wilson Park Sign at 11:00 am located at 115 Wilson Lane, Maynardville. Come early and register to win a 2018 Union County Heritage Festival collectible print "Coming Home."

All events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Please come out and learn how you can benefit from preserving our historic assets.