Posted on 11/26/2003 5:50:29 AM PST by stainlessbanner
The historic Sam Davis Home in Murfreesboro recently celebrated the addition of a new $1.5 million Visitors Center and Museum just in time for the holiday tours, which begin Friday.
The expansion, designed by architect Mike Picklesimer, AIA, of Nashville-based Hart Freeland Roberts architects and engineers, consists of a 2,800-square-foot museum, conference room and museum store.
"We designed the visitors center and museum to complement the other buildings on the property and to blend naturally in the site," said Picklesimer, who also managed the project for Hart Freeland Roberts.
"The building was also designed to be non-intrusive when viewed from the historic house. The new facility will help the Sam Davis Memorial Association continue its mission, and serve as an interpretive center for artifacts related to life in antebellum Middle Tennessee."
Davis, a young Confederate soldier from Smyrna, was a private in the First Tennessee Infantry. As a scout, under Capt. Coleman, alias Dr. H.B. Shaw, Davis helped gather information about the Union forces moving from Middle Tennessee toward Chattanooga.
In November 1863 Davis was carrying important documents to General Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga when he was captured. He was taken to Pulaski where he was imprisoned, court-martialed, then condemned to death by hanging. Refusing to identify an informant after being captured behind Union lines, the 21-year-old was hanged on Nov. 27.
Giles County erected three memorials in honor of Davis, each of which is a stop on the historic Sam Davis Trail. The cemetery where Davis was buried before his body was moved to his home in Smyrna is also on the trail.
Davis' home, located at 1399 Sam Davis Road, is a restored mid-19th century frame structure of typical Colonial simplicity.
"Our original museum closed in 1994 when it was deemed unsuitable for artifacts," said Bethany Hawkins, executive director of the Sam Davis Home. "For almost 10 years, visitors have been unable to enjoy our wealth of Civil War artifacts and treasures from the Sam Davis family that had to be placed away from public display. After November 22, visitors will be able to enjoy these items in a state-of-the-art facility that will place the story of Sam Davis in context with life in Middle Tennessee during the mid-19th century."
On Saturday, Dec. 6, as part of the holiday tour, "Christmas 1860," Davis family members will be on hand at the historic home, as well as an ornament workshop for children. The special event costs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children.
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