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News Updates
3rd-Graders Enjoy 'Growing Up In Greene'
Sun Photo by Phil Gentry Dell Hughes tells stories as Davy Crockett to students from McDonald Elementary School during the “Growing Up In Greene” program.
Source: The Greeneville Sun
by Amy Rose
Date: 2008-12-05
Third-grade students from every Greeneville and Greene County school learned about the Civil War, Cherokee Indians and other aspects of local heritage this week during "Growing Up In Greene" at the Nathanael Greene Museum.
The annual four-day event brings about 900 students to the museum to hear traditional stories and songs from local reenactors and musicians.
Before their visit, the students also create artwork, essays and poems about growing up in Greene County, which are judged for prizes presented at the museum.
"The program started 20 years ago with the idea of giving a group of students around the city and county a very positive museum experience," said Marilyn duBrisk, director of Arts Outreach at Tusculum College.
The original organizers were duBrisk, Nancy Parvin, Billie Roberts and Carla Bewley, duBrisk noted.
Arts Outreach at Tusculum College partners with the Nathanael Greene Museum, the Youth Builders of Greeneville Inc. and several local volunteers to provide "Growing Up In Greene," she said.
"We have a lot of wonderful volunteers," duBrisk added.
As students arrive at the museum, they are greeted in the gymnasium of the former Andrew Johnson School by local officials, including Greene County Mayor Alan Broyles; Greeneville Mayor Laraine King; State Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville; and representatives from the central offices of each school system.
In addition to the city and county schools, students from Towering Oaks Baptist Church also attended the event.
After the VIP greeting, the students travel in groups to various galleries throughout the museum to watch volunteer reenactors tell stories about notable pioneers in Greene County's history.
The pioneers included Mrs. Samuel Doak, portrayed by Carla Bewley and Amy Durand; a Civil War soldier and wife, portrayed by Carlos and Connie Whaley; President Andrew Johnson, portrayed by Bill Regan; Davy Crockett, portrayed by Dell Hughes; Red Fawn, a Cherokee Indian, portrayed by Amanda Waddell; and Aunt Minerva Clem, portrayed by Crystal Montgomery.
After about 10 minutes in each gallery, a cow bell signaled the time for the students to move to another gallery.
The traffic is directed by members of Youth Builders.
Musical Program
At the end of their visit, the students gather again in the gymnasium for ice cream treats and a musical program organized by Angie Clendenon.
Local musicians Martha Wiley on fiddle and dulcimer and the Norton family performed.
The Nortons include father Scottie on mandolin, and brothers David, 16, on guitar and Daniel, 14, on banjo.
One of the featured songs was an old-time version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" with such gifts as seven marble shooters, six churns a churning, five coonskin caps and a bed bug in a feather bed.
Also during the concluding program, the winning poems are read in dramatic fashion by students of GLAWPIGT, which stands for Great Literature Alive, Well and Playing in Greeneville, Tennessee.
The winners of the poem, essay and art contests from each school receive $5 for first place, $3 for second place and $2 for honorable mention.
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