Barrs Chapel C.M.E Church

Student Assistants

Kristen Baldwin Deathridge (B.A. in history, Bryan College; M.A. in archaeology, University of Reading) is in the dissertation writing year of the Ph.D. in Public History program. Supported by the Provost's Writing Fellowship and working with the Center, she is researching the adaptive reuse of religious buildings across the country.

 
Jessica Bandel (B.A. in English and history, Austin Peay State University) is in her second year in the graduate program in Public History at MTSU. This semester she is assisting with Tennessee Civil War Trails and Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area projects, particularly with the efforts of Franklin's Charge, Inc. to interpret the Battle of Franklin.

 
Cassandra Bennett (B.A. in history, Stephen F. Austin State University) is in her first year in the graduate program in Public History at MTSU. This semester she is writing a National Register nomination for the Park Theater in McKenzie (Carroll Co) and working with the Tennessee Century Farms program.

 
Amber Clawson (B.S. in public relations, emphasis nonprofit organizations, Appalachian State University; M.A. in history, College of Charleston) is in her first year of the Ph.D. in Public History program at MTSU. This semester she is completing a historic structures assessment for Sabine Hill in Elizabethton (Carter Co). 

 
Rebecca Duke (B.F.A. in fine art, Jacksonville State University, M.A. in  history, Jacksonville State University) is in her third year in the Ph.D. Public History program at MTSU. This semester she will be working on the musuem plan for Skyline Farms and the Teaching with Primary Sources program.

 
Gunter Effler is a freshman at MTSU pursuing a double major in history and political science. Growing up in Murfreesboro by the Stones River Battlefield and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, he is particularly interested in military history. This semester he will be working with the Teaching with Primary Sources program and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.

 
Leigh Ann Gardner (B.A. in history, Mississippi University for Women) is a second year student in the graduate program in Public History at MTSU.  Her research interests are in African American history, especially during Civil War and Reconstruction.  This semester she is assisting with the Tennessee Century Farms program and working on a National Register nomination for the Gibson County Training School.

Abby Gautreau (B.A. in history, Randolph-Macon Woman's College; M.St. in history, University of Oxford) is completing her first year of the Ph.D. in Public History program. This semester she is working on the Monteagle Assembly Architectural Inventory and National Register projects in Macon County, Alabama.

 
Sara Beth Gideon (B.A. in history, MTSU) is in her first year of the graduate program in Public History at MTSU. This semester she is creating a historic postcard exhibit for the Heritage Center for the Murfreesboro bicentennial celebration. Sara Beth will also be working part time for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

 
Amy Kostine (A.S. in photography, Onondaga Community College; B.A. in history, Le Moyne College) is in her second year in the graduate program in Public History at MTSU. Her research interests are American Indian history and history of photography. At the Center, she will working on various Trail of Tears projects and a National Register Nomination for Skyline Farms, Alabama. 

 
Jeff McRiffey (B.S. in recording industry, MTSU) is in his first year of graduate studies in the Computer Science program at MTSU. Originally from Knoxville, he moved to Murfreesboro in 2007. He provides technical support for the staff and students at the Center.

 
Katherine M. O'Bryan (B.A. in history, MTSU; M.A. in history with a concentration in Public History, MTSU) is in her third year in the Ph.D. in Public History program. For her residency, under the direction of Dr. Carroll Van West, she is identifying, surveying, and assessing Progressive Era ladies public rest rooms throughout the country. This fieldwork will be the formative research for my dissertation, on the same topic.

 
David Sprouse (B.S. in political science, Middle Tennessee State University) is in his first year in the graduate program in Public History at MTSU.  At the Center he is assisting with Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area projects, National Register nomination for Skyline Farms in Alabama, and the Teaching with Primary Sources program.

Katie Sutton Randall (B.A. in history, University of Alabama at Birmingham) is in her last semester of the M.A. in Public History program. This semester, she is working on the Multiple Property Documentation of Nashville's Inglewood neighborhood and continuing her research on the Alabama Boys' Industrial School in Birmingham, Alabama.

 
Julie Warwick (A.F.A. in interior design, Watkins College of Art and Design; B.F.A. in fine art, Austin Peay State University) is in her first year in the graduate program in Public History.  At the Center she is researching and writing National Register nominations for the Hooper Farm (Rutherford Co) and the Washington-Miller House (Maury Co).

 
Jessi White (B.S. in interior design, MTSU) is in her second year in the M.A. in Public History program.  This semester she is working on historic structures assessments for the Bate House in Gallatin (Sumner Co) and Sabine Hill in Elizabethton (Carter County), and continuing to provide staffing and support to the Heritage Center.