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Built 1824
215 East Market Street, Bolivar, TN 38008
The Pillars & The Little Courthouse
Hardeman County APTA
P.O. Box 148
Bolivar, TN 38008
731-518-7148
 
This exhibit will be opened:
Each Saturday in February 10:00am- 4:00pm
Every 2nd & 4th Saturday March- May 10:00am-2:00pm
Appointments for special tours may be made-
Cissye Pierce: 731-764-6243
Mr. Evelyn Robertson Jr. explains to us how Rosenwald Schools got started.
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This exhibit was made possible with a grant from The Community Historical Development Foundation in cooperation with Tennessee Humanities.
The Smithsonian comes to The Little Courthouse in Bolivar!
Come Celebrate with us as we Celebrate American Roots Music!
Featuring: blues, country western, folk ballads, and gospel.
August 9 - September 21, 2008
Celebrating American Roots Music
Click on the above Links for more information.
New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music takes visitors on a journey through the development of Americans' creative
expression through music. The music that emerges is known by names like blues, country western, folk ballads, and gospel. The main
beat of the exhibition is the on-going cultural process that has made America the birthplace of more music than any place on earth.
The exhibition provides a fascinating, inspiring, and toe-tapping listen to the American story of multi-cultural exchange.
America the birthplace of more music than any place on earth. The exhibition provides a fascinating, inspiring, and toe-tapping listen
to the American story of multi-cultural exchange.
At the Little Courthouse Museum, 215 Market Street East, 2 blocks from Courthouse Square
Bolivar, Hardeman County TN August 9 – September 20, 2008
Hours: Friday evenings 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays for school children by appointment.
Phone: Cissye Pierce at (731) 764-6243
.
To
Schedule Special Tours
or for more information...
Contact Us:
Cissye Pierce: 731-764-6243
or e-mail:
Dianne Mumford
Paula Stanley
History of The Little Courthouse . . .
Hardeman county was one of the counties formed in 1823 from the Chickasaw Indian Territory purchased in 1818. The county was named after Thomas Jones Hardeman, early settler and the first county clerk. Hatchie Town on the Hatchie River was later moved to higher ground. In 1823 the town name was changed to Bolivar honoring the South American liberator, General Simon Bolivar.
The county seat was established in Bolivar and a courthouse was built in 1824. This two story 20 foot by 30 foot log building contained a courtroom downstairs and a jail room above. Within two years it was evident that more room was needed. When the new courthouse was built in 1827 the log courthouse was moved several blocks down East Market Street. During the Civil War the union Army burned the 1827 brick county courthouse. Citizens were given time to remove records and artifacts which until the third county courthouse was built in 1868. That building was enlarged and updated in the 1950's and is still in use by the Hardeman County Courts.
The 1824 log courthouse became the nucleus of a home for the Levi Joy family. Next, Judge Barry purchased the log building house. In 1849 his widow sold the house to Dr. Thomas E. Moore. He made extensive additions including painted weatherboard siding, shutters and additional rooms. His family resided in the house for over 100 years. The descendants of his granddaughter, Miss Jennie Hardaway, sold the house to the county in 1967.
The group of historical minded citizens restored the building. The authentic early original interiors have been returned to the old logs. The courtroom is furnished with benches and chairs from the early days of the third courthouse. currently the Little Courthouse is leased to APTA and managed by volunteers. Documents are available to tell the story of Hardeman County and it's historic artifacts.
Points Of Interest . . . The Bolivar historic district features examples of early architecture. There are 118 buildings on the historical register, including The Pillars, The Columns, McNeal Place, St. James Chapel, the Presbyterian Church, Magnolia Manor, Levi Joy House and the Little Courthouse Museum.
The Hardeman County Fairgrounds and Arena are located west of Bolivar. The fair sponsors many events, including circuses, mud derbies, demolition derbies and the Hardeman County Fair itself. The arena hosts IPRA-sanctioned rodeos, as well as calf ropings and cow pennings.
Hatchie River is a designated scenic river which runs across the county, offering a hunter's and fisherman's paradise. More than 20 watershed lakes, ranging in size from 10 to 78 acres each, have been constructed and stocked with game fish.
Also in the area are Ames Plantation, Shiloh National Military Park, Chickasaw State Park, National Bird Dog Museum.
Please contact us if you see any errors on this site.
Errors or changes should be addressed to the
Webmaster,
Barbara
Chambers.
Last Updated
03/12/2008
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