The Vision of the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is to preserve our community’s distinctive history, share its rich heritage, and celebrate its unique culture for the education and enrichment of the public and all visitors.
The Mission of the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is to steward the history and heritage of McMinn County and the region. This mission is met by collecting, preserving, presenting, and interpreting artifacts, artwork, and other items representative of our community’s culture, both past and present. Meeting this mission offers education and enrichment for the public and visitors of all ages, races, and ethnicities.
The Museum's collection of over 9,000 artifacts represents the culture and history of our region in Southeast Tennessee and reflects the storyline that the Museum traces from the pioneer settlers of the mid-1700s through the 1940s, and are displayed in thirty permanent exhibit areas.
The Museum also offers several changing exhibits, special events, and programs throughout the year. The preservation of all of the collection ensures that our mission to educate the public and protect our heritage will be permanently available to the public.
Museum Staff
- Amy Blackburn: Executive Director
- Mary Alton: Collections Manager
- Audrey Dennis: Office Manager
2012 Board of Trustees
Ralph Fenton: President
Greg Moses: Vice President
Tom Biddle: Treasurer
Di Maillet: Secretary
Elaine Cathcart: Past President
Clarice Baggett
Kathleen Boryla-Payne
Allen Carter
Jerry Estes
Ray Grant
Judi Griffith
Les Jones
Laura LeNoir
Sam Natter
Jared Wright
Mintie Willson: Honorary Trustee
Hal Butram: Athens City Mayor
Ann Davis, Mayor's Representative
John Gentry: McMinn County Mayor
Mark Cochran, Mayor's Representative