News Releases

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) - The University of Tennessee invites the public to celebrate West Tennessee’s history at two cultural events during October. The Ames Plantation Heritage Festival is scheduled for October 11 at the Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, and on October 18, the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Milan will host a Fall Folklore Jamboree.

Most of the needs of the area’s plantations and farmsteads were met by activities carried out on site. At the Ames Plantation Heritage Festival visitors can watch skilled craftsmen demonstrate important activities from our past, including the construction of a log cabin, early brick manufacturing, farming with horses, cotton picking and ginning, and traditional pottery. Also on hand will be Civil War “soldiers” who will give demonstrations of live cannon fire and tours of their encampments. Visitors can also meet “Private Jimmy Brim” and hear his extraordinary story as a member of the 6th Tennessee Infantry. Live music will be performed on two stages throughout the day.

The Heritage Festival runs from 9:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for ages 12 and under. No pets will be admitted. Parking and shuttle service to the event site are free.

Pork BBQ and other fare (including quail) will be available for purchase from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Free pumpkins and turnip greens (pick your own greens) will be available while
supplies last.

On October 18, the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Milan will host a Fall Folklore Jamboree on the grounds of the UT Milan Experiment Station. More than 90 traditional folk artists are expected to demonstrate skills in traditional crafts such as broom and soap making, quilting and doll making. Local bluegrass and gospel groups will fill the air with music throughout the day, and demonstrations of chuckwagon cooking, as well as molasses, apple cider and kraut making will tempt visitors' taste buds.

The Fall Folklore Jamboree runs from 9:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. Admission is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children ages 3 - 12. Children 2 and younger are free. No pets will be admitted.

For more information on the Heritage Festival, please phone the Ames Plantation at (901) 878-1067, or visit its Web site: http://amesplantation.org. The Ames Plantation is located east of Memphis between Grand Junction and Bolivar, off U.S. Hwy 18.

For more information on the Fall Folklore Jamboree, call the Milan Experiment Station at (731) 686-7362, or visit its Web site http://milan.tennessee.edu. The West Tennessee Agricultural Museum is located on U.S. Hwy 70/79 in Milan.

# # #

Contact: Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141