yesterday's tennessee

Editor's Preface

THE WEST TENNESSEE FARM

Marvin Downing, Editor
Published by The University of Tennessee at Martin, 1979

In the autumn of 1978 Dr. Charles Ogilvie, the editor, and our UTM colleagues began thinking about West Tennessee and the place of agriculture historically here. We contacted University officials and the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities about exploring the agricultural heritage of this area through a photographic exhibit, lectures, and a photographic history.

  This booklet represents a part of the total project "The West Tennessee Farm", which the University and the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities approved. The project is an expression of West Tennessees' association with the farm in the past and the present. Area residents have contributed articles and pictures individually in many instances and collectively as seen in Mrs. Harrison (Anne) Crawford's contributing in the name of the Fayette County Historical Society and Lake County Extension Leader John Bradley's sending the Lake County materials. Although the original photographs did not always reproduce well, corners are missing, and scratches sometimes are evident, we are proud of the pictures because they demonstrate the pride of West Tennessee people in their region. Except for illustrations, the articles are essentially the same as they were submitted to the editor.

  Many persons are responsible for this booklet. Certainly West Tennessee residents participated enthusiastically and energetically. University personnel have been most helpful, and a special word of thanks goes to Mrs. Patricia Harrell, the History-Political Science Department Secretary, and the departmental student workers for typing and proofreading. Finally, the project was funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities through a grant from the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities and the findings or conclusions of this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the National Endowment for the Humanities nor those of the Tennessee Committee for the Humanities.

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