[273]FREE FEB. 12 COMMUNITY LECTURE SPOTLIGHTS BUTLER FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 26, 2009
CONTACT: Jennifer Butt, 615-217-8013 or jbutt@mtsu.edu

FREE FEB. 12 COMMUNITY LECTURE SPOTLIGHTS BUTLER FARM
AS PART OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

(MURFREESBORO)—The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area will present the first lecture in its spring series of public programs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12.
In celebration of African-American History Month, the free lecture series will spotlight the Butler Farm, a Rutherford County Century Farm property. Dating back to about 1880, the farm is one of 25 certified Century Farms located in Rutherford County and one of only four in Tennessee founded by African-American farmers.
Caneta Hankins, director of the Tennessee Century Farms Program, will give an overview of the program, and then Dee Butler will discuss her documentary research on her family’s farm.
The Tennessee Century Farms Program, which has been administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU for 25 years, documents, recognizes, interprets and supports the conservation of farms that have been in continuous production and owned by the same family for at least 100 years.
The 2009 Community Heritage Lecture Series will be held at The Heritage Center, which is located just off the square at 225 West College St.
In addition to being the site for the lecture series, The Heritage Center is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays, and features guided walking tours of the town square on the hour. Group tours are available Monday through Saturday by advance reservations. Admission is free.
The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County is a joint venture between the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, Main Street: Murfreesboro/ Rutherford County, the City of Murfreesboro and the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU. Additional support comes from the Rutherford County government and State Farm Insurance
For more information on the Community Heritage Lecture Series, please call the center at 615-217-8013 or e-mail Jennifer Butt at jbutt@mtsu.edu.

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