Free Day in May
It’s not often that you get anything free, but the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau is again coordinating a special “Free Day in May” event for admission to six grand experiences. Attractions such as Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, Cannonsburgh Village, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, Oaklands Historic House Museum, Sam Davis Home and Museum and the Stones River National Battlefield will be open free of charge for the day on Saturday, May 15, and they will offer special activities.
Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, located at 415 S. Academy St., will be open for tours from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This was the site of the first school for African Americans in Murfreesboro.
Cannonsburgh Village, located at 312 S. Front St., will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Cannonsburgh, the original name of Murfreesboro, houses a large collection of antique farm equipment, gristmill, general store, museum and blacksmith shop.
Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, located at 502 S.E. Broad St., will be open from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Come explore the wetlands, dabble in the arts, climb a fire truck or slide down the two-story slide at this hands-on museum and nature preserve.
Morning activities from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. will find our visitors in the wetlands exploring the world of birds and enjoying special birding activities celebrating Bird Migratory Day. Hear original and traditional music of the clawhammer-style banjo player John Balch, Murfreesboro native, accompanied by Jack and Elizabeth Pearson, starting at 1 p.m.
Oaklands Historic House Museum is located at 900 N. Maney Ave. During the Civil War, the plantation was used as a camp by both the Union and Confederate armies. Tour guides in period dress will conduct tours of this graceful antebellum home and the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp No. 33 will present living history demonstrations.
The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, located at 225 W. College St. in Murfreesboro, will be open from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with guided walking tours of the square available on the hour. The Heritage Center explores our county’s past and present through exhibits, programs and tours, setting the storylines for Rutherford County’s many historic sites, buildings and museums.
The Sam Davis Home and Museum, located at 1399 Sam Davis Road in Smyrna, will be open for free tours from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Sam Davis Home, circa 1810, features original furniture and homespun décor enjoyed in the 19th century.
The Stones River National Battlefield, located at 3501 Old Nashville Hwy., is free and open to the public every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Be sure to stop by to see the 650-acre national park and cemetery dedicated to preserving the memory of those who fought and died at this crucial Civil War battle.
“Free Day in May” will kick off the 2010 tourism season for the county. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org or call (615) 893-6565.
A Field of Flags
The “Flags of Remembrance Healing Field” in Murfreesboro will display 1,500 U.S. flags May 29–31 at the second annual Memorial Day event honoring local veterans, currently serving men and women and fallen heroes. The event is free to the public and will be located at Medical Center Drive next to The Avenue near Maplegrove Drive.
Rebecca Talley and the Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club Healing Field committee wanted to make the Flags of Remembrance Healing Field an annual event when they licensed to present their first event for Murfreesboro residents in 2009. The community support and response was so great that the Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club has re-registered and the event will take place again this year.
Flags may be sponsored for $30 each and taken home at the end of the event to continue the tribute throughout the community as they fly proudly at homes and businesses. Donations and flag sponsorships can be made in person with a Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club member or at healingfield.org/murfreesboro.
Volunteers are also needed for a variety of tasks. To volunteer or for more information, call Talley at (615) 641-0121.
Walk for a Cure
The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature fundraising event that supports public awareness and raises funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It takes place in hundreds of cities each May.
On Sunday, May 16, Murfreesboro’s Gateway Island Park will host an Arthritis Walk. Registration for the event will begin at 2 p.m., with the walk beginning at 3 p.m.
For more information, visit letsmoverutherford.org or call Dorothy Scobey at 254-6795, ext. 110.
Honoring the First Responders
Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services will be celebrating EMS Week with a community fair Saturday, May 22, at StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna.
The event, running from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., will include special operations team rescue vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and a Black Hawk helicopter, bike safety information, child safety seat checks, information on health issues, games, jumping inflatables, giveaways, food and more.
It is free to the community.
For more information, call Terry Cunningham at (615) 429-0629.
