Chattanooga and Hamilton County Historian Linda Moss Mines has been appointed as one of seven members of the newly-created Tennessee Historical Commission Historic Cemetery Advisory Committee.
The Historic Cemetery Advisory Committee was created by an amendment to Section 2, TCA, Section 4-11-106 authorizing the Tennessee Historical Commission to “establish a committee . . . to study protections and preservation efforts” and to issue yearly reports including recommendations for legislative action, to the commission.
Graham Perry, THC Program coordinator, announced the creation of the new committee by noting “Tennessee’s historic cemeteries are essential to understanding the story of the state.
Cemeteries document our history - - demonstrating migration patterns, providing vital information about cultural and community development and presenting a window into the hearts, minds and rituals of those that have gone before us. I am very excited to work with the Cemetery Advisory Committee, county historians and other interested parties to document Tennessee’s cemeteries and to serve as a resource for those seeking information about cemetery preservation, maintenance and protection.”
Ms. Mines responded to the announcement of her appointment by echoing Mr. Perry’s assessment of the importance of historic cemeteries. “As someone interested in stories and events associated with local and regional history, I cannot adequate describe the significance of cemeteries and graveyards in the exploration of our personal and community history. Without the presence of Revolutionary War veteran S. Miller’s grave in the Chattanooga National Cemetery, we might never have been compelled to learn more about his service or his burial here in Chattanooga. From our historic National Cemeteries to the hundreds of small and large cemeteries dotting the hills and valleys of Southeast Tennessee, we are blessed with a record of those who have contributed to the Tennessee story and it is our solemn responsibility to preserve that history and their graves. I look forward to working with the county historians and the historical societies in each of our SC Tennessee counties as we examine how we might better stop the destruction of our historic cemeteries while simultaneously preserving and enhancing those ‘records’ of our past.”
In addition to her role as Chattanooga and Hamilton County historian, Ms. Mines is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Erlanger Health Systems; regent, chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR; co-chairman of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Yellow Rose Centennial Committee; VP for Education, Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center; the secretary of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council; and a member of the Tennessee Historical Commission. She retired after a 45-year educational career that included almost three decades as chairman of the History and Social Sciences Department at Girls Preparatory School, and several years as Corporate Training Manager for McKee Baking Company.
Other members of the Tennessee Historic Cemetery Advisory Committee include:
Dr. Beverly Bond, professor of African American and women’s history, The University of Memphis, Memphis;
Ms. Fletch Coke, cemetery advocate, Nashville;
Dr. Kevin J. Hales, professor of communication studies, African studies and African history, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville;
Mr. Nick Fiedler, Tennessee state archeologist emeritus, Nashville;
Ms. Loni Harris, Tennessee Historical Commission, Jackson; and
Mr. Phil Hodge, Tennessee state archeologist, Nashville,
A schedule of county meetings will be scheduled and announced as soon as health and safety guidelines allow. Ms. Mines can be reached at localhistorycounts@gmail.com.