(MURFREESBORO)  The Heart of Tennessee's catcher of memories, Dick Shacklett, would have reached the century mark on May 1th. The community is coming together with a show of this photographer's works in the lobby of the Washington Theatre at the Patterson Community Center, from 6:00 to 9:30PM Saturday evening, May 15, 2021. Historic photographs and artifacts will be on display depicting his life and legacy.

Dick's photo connection began on a July day in 1935, when he walked into Leo Ferrell’s Photography shop and asked if there was anything he could do.  Mr. Ferrell offered Shacklett a job processing roll film. Sometime between 1936 and 1937, at the age of 16, Shacklett became a local photographer creating and documenting some of the most memorable images of Rutherford County of the 1930’s and 1940’s.

By 1938, he was an independent businessman operating out of the old James K. Polk Hotel building. Richard (“Dick”) Claude Shacklett, a man of many talents, was known to his legions of friends as a man for all seasons.  Notable is the official seal of Rutherford County affixed on every Rutherford County vehicle, the County Parking Garage, and the new Judicial Building.  His deep love for Rutherford County flows in Mr. Shacklett’s original design of the County seal. His spirit for recording the history of our area for future generations was the gift he left.

Richard Claude Shacklett's photographs have earned him a worldwide following, and many of those will be on display including beautiful landscapes in the deserts of New Mexico or the streams of Idaho.

During his lifetime and profession, Dick Shacklett captured thousands of one-of-a-kind images. More than a professional photographer, his sensitivity and passion extended way beyond his brief 73 years into another generation inspiring countless family and friends. His zeal for recording and documenting the history for future lives has long outlived him.

Again, the public is encouraged to enjoy a stroll down memory lane through early Murfreesboro and then expand to the deserts and streams. That on Saturday, May 15, 2021 in the Washngton Theatre at the Patterson Park Community Center. Uncle Dave Macon music was always a part of Dick's life, and the Dixie Dewdrop Jamboree is a part of this evening's fun.