Artifact Donations for Scopes Trial Museum

DAYTON, Tenn. – At the beginning of 2017, a task force from various organizations in Rhea County, took on the preservation of the Rhea County Courthouse.

Dr. Carroll Van West, Tennessee State Historian and director of The Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU, and a team of graduate students performed a complete assessment of the building including its preservation needs and heritage potential.

The courthouse is undergoing a new roof, partial brick and mortar repair and museum renovations, which will include new museum brochures, a walking/driving tour brochure, interactive touchscreen kiosks, a small viewing room for films, and much more.

The Rhea County Courthouse Preservation Task Force and the Rhea County Historical & Genealogical Society seek historic artifact donations for the Scopes Trial Museum. Items pertaining to the history of Rhea County are accepted as well.

Currently, Governor Bill Haslam has awarded Rhea County with $200,000 for a complete roof replacement, and the task force has applied for a Historical Preservation Fund Grant of $76,000 which will cover the cost of the brick and mortar repair.

For more information on how to donate items, contact Gary Drinkard at 423-365-4124, Pat Guffey at 423-280-8482, Ralph Green at 423-775-2136 or Jacob Ellis at 423-762-2890.

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