MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - If you’ve ever driven a backroad in Rutherford County and wondered about those old stacked‑stone walls lining fields and fence rows, this Sunday is your chance to learn their stories. The Rutherford County Archaeological Society is kicking off its first meeting of 2026 at 2 p.m. inside Maney Hall at Oaklands Mansion, and they’re promising a program you won’t want to miss.
Archaeologist Lauren Walls of New South Associates is the featured speaker — a familiar name to anyone who attended her standing‑room‑only talk two years ago. That presentation opened a lot of eyes to the history and craftsmanship behind Middle Tennessee’s dry‑laid stone walls, and now she’s back with fresh research and updates that could shape how these structures are documented and protected going forward.
Walls’ new findings dig deeper into preservation efforts, mapping techniques, and the cultural significance of these walls across the South. Organizers say the information she’s bringing this time around could be a “game changer” for safeguarding these historic features, many of which are older than the county itself.
As always, the meeting will keep things conversational and community‑focused. After the presentation, there will be a Q&A session along with an open invitation for residents to report historic stone walls or fences they’ve spotted on their own property or around the county. The society has long relied on everyday observers — hikers, farmers, teachers, curious neighbors — to help identify and protect archaeological resources before development or erosion wipes them away.
The Rutherford County Archaeological Society thrives on that kind of grassroots involvement. It’s a group built on curiosity, volunteer energy, and a shared love of local history. Their programs make archaeology feel accessible, not academic, and they remind us that the past isn’t something distant. It’s right here in the landscape, sometimes hiding in plain sight.
Sunday’s meeting is free, open to the public, and a perfect excuse to spend an afternoon learning something new about the place we call home.
