For Tennessee’s h eritage tourism visitors and residents alike, there is a booklet to almost 100 properties that tell how the decade after the Civil War – what is called the Reconstruction era – changed Tennessee and Tennesseans. Tennessee’s Re construction Past: A Driving Tour highlights historic churches, schools, cemeteries and communities. Prepared by the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, the guide encourages everyone to visit the sites across the state and explore our Reconstruction legacies.
The Reconstruction era is one of the most compelling periods in Tennessee history. African Americans became legal citizens and African American men gained the right to vote. A new state constitution, still in effect today, was ratified in 1870. Nine new counties were created between 1870 and 1871. Across the state, new communities, new churches and new schools opened their doors, creating challenges and opportunities for all citizens. “We cannot understand Tennessee today without understanding how the years after the Civil War charted new directions in Tennessee education, religion and politics as they also created a new definition of citizenship for all Tennesseans,” says Dr. Carroll Van West, Tennessee State Historian and Director of MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation.
To obtain a print copy of the driving tour, visit The Heritage Center, located at 225 West College Street, Murfreesboro, or contact the Center at 615-217-8013.
1-615-898-2947
histpres@mtsu.edu
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
MTSU Box 80
1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 USA
Middle Tennessee State University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs, and activities sponsored by MTSU. The Assistant to the President for Institutional Equity and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and can be reached at Cope Administration Building 116, 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37132; Christy.Sigler@mtsu.edu; or 615-898-2185. The MTSU policy on non-discrimination can be found at www.mtsu.edu/iec.
Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University.
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