The Wayne County Museum: A Not-So-Hidden Gem

There is a not-so-hidden gem in Wayne County that has the potential to provide interesting connections and fascinating stories to everyone around here – the Wayne County Museum.

The Wayne County Museum is located in a historic building on the Waynesboro square. The building was donated to the museum by Ms. Virginia Dodge Fielder, and has undergone renovations that have turned it into a spacious and comfortable home for Wayne County memorabilia.

Many people assume that since the museum is located in Waynesboro, it must just include Waynesboro-related exhibits and displays. Not true! While the museum is located in Waynesboro, the name confirms it – the WAYNE COUNTY Museum is dedicated to the history of all communities in Wayne County, including Waynesboro, Collinwood, and Clifton.

After years of planning from the dedicated group of people known as “Friends of the Museum,” the Wayne County Museum celebrated their grand opening on June 17, 2017. The museum’s original location was the upstairs courtroom at the courthouse on the square (now the Wayne County Administrative Building). The original theme was Wayne County’s rich musical heritage. Wayne County can lay claim to producing an unbelievable number of talented musicians, including performers, songwriters, and family musicians who loved to join with friends and family after a hard day’s work to play music.

In 2019, the museum moved into their current location, the former D.E. Merriman building on the south side of the Waynesboro square. The owners of the building, Virginia Dodge Fielder and her sister, Mary Cynthia Diamond, said at the time that they were donating the building “for the love and affection we have for our native Wayne County and our ancestors.”

When the museum moved, they took all their donated Wayne County music memorabilia with them. Now, the music displays and exhibits are in the middle room of the museum. The museum holds an impressive collection of Wayne County music memorabilia, including exhibits dedicated to musicians including Mark Collie, Jacky Ward, Peanutt and Melba Montgomery, and many more. Most don’t realize just how many successful musicians have roots right here in Wayne County.

The front room of the museum is dedicated to an authentic display of World War II uniforms from different branches of the military. What makes this display truly special for Wayne Countians is that each of the uniforms was worn by a Wayne County veteran. Each branch of the service is represented, and there are placards identifying the people who wore the uniforms and how they served their country.

The newest display at the museum is dedicated to Natural Bridge. The natural bridge itself was a historic place for Native Americans many years ago, and it is said that frontiersman Davy Crockett stood under the natural bridge to speak to the people who were looking to him for guidance.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Natural Bridge was a booming gathering place, especially for young people. Throughout the twentieth century, the beautiful property was a venue for concerts featuring many well-known artists. Large crowds would attend the events to enjoy the music and the peaceful scenery the park had to offer. Throughout history, folklore has placed many popular performers, outlaws, and bandits in the area.

The Shaw family purchased the property in 1991 and restored it, with the natural bridge becoming the backdrop for the Tennessee Fitness Spa. The property is now owned by Stan and Winnette Bevis, who have renamed it “The Bridges.” The Wayne County Museum has memorabilia from each era of Natural Bridge, including donated items such as table settings from the original 1950s Natural Bridge restaurant, lots of pictures, and many other interesting artifacts.

Back to just what the museum is – it was created for the whole county, not just Waynesboro. They have exhibits from Collinwood, such as photos and written histories of the industries that built the town. Donated items from Clifton include items from the first hotel there and other memorabilia connected to the Tennessee River.

The Wayne County Museum offers something of interest to everyone. Those who enjoy genealogy could spend hours enjoying the museum, likely finding “kinfolks” among the displays that they never had the chance to meet.

Wayne Countians who have ties to the military will especially enjoy the military displays, but even those who don’t have roots here will be touched by the memorabilia from times past. The museum has memorabilia from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Although Wayne County’s rich musical and military heritage is represented at the museum, there is so much more. The museum is home to items that tell the stories of many different Wayne Countians from all walks of life, including our hard-working, tough-as-nails ancestors.

According to Jerry Duren, President of Friends of the Museum, the Wayne County Museum has a couple of problems. The first problem Jerry mentioned was that lots of out-of-towners visit the museum when they are passing through, but not so many who are actual Wayne County residents. Why is that?

“Lots of people just don’t realize we’re here,” said Jerry. “We appreciate the out-of-towners who stop by, but what’s really special is when a native Wayne Countian, or someone with ancestors here, comes in and makes an immediate connection with something or someone they find on display.”

The second problem facing the museum is recruiting people who are willing and able to volunteer their time to the museum. Admission to the museum is free, but those who staff the museum are volunteers who receive no compensation for their time. As Jerry also mentioned, it’s pretty easy to sit around and think of ways to promote the museum, but executing those ideas takes time and people who are willing to help.

The “Friends of the Museum” meet on the second Monday of each month at the museum. They welcome anyone who is interested in Wayne County’s heritage and people to pay them a visit.

The Wayne County Museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. They are continually accepting donations or loans of historic Wayne County items.

We are publishing several pictures from the museum this week so our readers can catch a glimpse of what the Wayne County Museum has to offer. Watch next week’s edition of The News for information on the Music Walk of Fame, located on the Waynesboro square near the Administrative Building. The Friends of the Museum have spent many hours making the Walk of Fame happen, and they will add another honoree this year.