(MURFREESBORO)  Main Street Murfreesboro celebrated its 37th anniversary and honored Bill Shacklett with the Doug Young Leadership Award. 

It was created in 2017 to honor the late Doug Young for his leadership and civic service. Since that first award, Main Street has presented it to others who also give back to the downtown through Main Street, government and civic service. This year Bill Shacklett is the honoree. 

Bill Shacklett and his sister Gloria Christy own and operate the family business that was started by their father, Dick Shacklett.  Shacklett’s Photography is celebrating three-quarters of a century, , although Dick’s ‘Boro connection started years before that.

Main Street Executive Director Sarah Callender explained, "The Doug Young Award recipient is a high honor indicative of one who has achieved significant respect and success in fulfilling their civic duty as well as one who personifies the highest standard of service toward others, leadership and integrity."

Main Street Murfreesboro was formed in 1985, and was one of the first programs of this type in Tennessee. Now, 37-years later—the historic downtown business district shows the beautiful architecture of our 160+ year old structures.

According to Main Street’s website, “The National Main Street Center was established as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 as a way to address the myriad issues facing older and historic downtowns during that time. Working with a nationwide network of coordinating programs and local communities, Main Street has helped over 2,000 communities across the country bring economic vitality back downtown, while celebrating their historic character, and bringing communities together.”

The first executive director of Murfreesboro’s program was Dawn Eaton, then Janelee Wise took the reigns of leadership, followed by Kathleen Herzog and now Sarah Callender.

For more information on how you can become a part of Murfreesboro Main Street, phone 615-895-1887 or visit their website Main Street – Murfreesboro (mainstreetmurfreesboro.org)