RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Do you love history? If you’re new to Rutherford County—or simply curious about the stories that shaped this place we call home—the Rutherford County Historical Society (RCHS) continues to be one of the most welcoming doorways into our shared past. Founded to preserve and promote local history, the Society operates out of the historic Ransom School House, a restored one-room school building at 717 N. Academy Street. The site also serves as a small museum and gathering place where volunteers share artifacts, research, and stories from across the county’s 200-plus years of heritage.

Christmas Brunch Enjoyed by All

That sense of community was on full display this past Saturday morning (12/20/2025) when members gathered for their annual Christmas Brunch. Organized by Rae Lynn Whetzel-Stickney, the festive event filled the old schoolhouse with conversation, holiday treats, and a warm spirit of fellowship. During the brunch, leaders announced that the Society now has approximately 300 members—an impressive milestone for an all-volunteer organization that continues to grow in both reach and enthusiasm.

Ransom School House OPEN Saturday Dec. 27

The Ransom School House remains the heart of the Society’s weekly outreach, continues on Saturday (12/27), just drop by anytime between 9:00 a.m. and noon for free coffee, conversation, and a chance to explore local history at their own pace. Longtime volunteer John Verge hosts the weekly snacks, and visitors are welcome to bring any leftover Christmas sweets to share. Whether you’re researching your family roots or simply curious about the county’s early settlements, these Saturday sessions offer a relaxed, friendly way to learn.

New Year Event Saturday Jan. 3

The celebrations continue the following week as the Rutherford County Historical Society invites the community to a celebration of the New Year on Saturday, January 3, 2026, also from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Ransom School House. Guests are encouraged to bring an appetizer to share as neighbors gather to welcome a new year of storytelling, preservation, and fellowship.

Monthly Meetings 7PM on 3rd Mondays at Oaklands

History lovers will have even more opportunities to learn in the coming months. The Society’s January meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening, January 19, 2026, at Oaklands Mansion, 901 N. Maney Avenue. Shirley Jones will take us back 163 years to recount the four winter days of the Battle of Stones River—one of the most pivotal and devastating Civil War battles fought on Tennessee soil. Like all RCHS programs, this event is free and open to the public.

Looking ahead to February, the monthly meeting on February 16, 2026, will feature speaker Pat Wade, who will share the history of Daffodil Hill—the old Arnold home—where she now resides. That gathering will also take place at 7:00 p.m. at Oaklands Mansion.

Please Pay $25 Dues

As the year turns, the Society reminds members and supporters to pay their 2026 dues. Annual membership is $25, and checks may be brought to any meeting or mailed to RCHS, P.O. Box 906, Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0906. New members are always welcome, and the Society encourages everyone to invite a friend or neighbor to join.

With its growing membership, weekly open houses, and a full calendar of programs, the Rutherford County Historical Society continues to be one of the county’s most active and accessible cultural organizations—preserving the stories of the past while building community in the present.