In the News

We're on Elvis.com!!!

2011-12-23T17:01:18Z

http://www.elvis.com/news/detail.aspx?id=6013 This is SOOOO exciting! We're on Elvis.com!! Many many thanks to our friends at Graceland for sharing our Christmas Eve Breakfast on the Elvis website. Merry Christmas!!

Exciting News from Music Highway Crossroads!

2011-11-21T18:20:04Z

Local Musicians to Compete in International Blues Challenge

(Jackson, TN) Steve Patterson and Jimmy D. Taylor recently won First Place in the Memphis Blues Challenge sponsored by the Memphis Blues Society competition on the famed Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. The duo will now compete in the International Blues Challenge, sponsored by the Blues Foundation, to be held in Memphis at the end of January 2012.

Blueshine Duo is comprised of two West Tennessee musical artists who perform acoustic country blues. They are Jacksonian Steve Patterson, the manager at Music Highway Crossroads in Casey Jones Village, who plays the slide guitar and Jimmy D. Taylor of Brownsville, Tennessee who plays the harmonica. Major influences include Sleepy John Estes and the genre of West Tennessee and Mississippi Delta blues. With time off the last few years, the duo is back with a passion to continue to share their love of the blues with their original tunes and style paying homage to the country blues icons of the past.

The Memphis Blues Society is an all volunteer 501(3)(c) non-profit organization . They are an affiliate member of the Blues Foundation. The mission of the organization is to preserve, promote, and enhance Blues music and the blues community, support blues education, and promote the Memphis area Blues scene including its Blues musicians.

The Blues Foundation will present the 28th International Blues Challenge January 31 - February 4, 2012 in Memphis. The world's largest gathering of Blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to take their act to the international stage. In 2011, 110 bands and 83 solo/duo acts entered, filling the clubs up and down Beale Street for the quarter-finals on Wednesday and Thursday, the semi-finals on Friday and the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday.
# # #

Steve Patterson, Manager
Music Highway Crossroads
40 Casey Jones Village #3
Jackson, Tennessee 38305
MHC Phone Number: 731.660.4243

Clark Shaw to Receive Jackson Award!

2011-11-04T04:04:51Z

Posted 11/3/11: We're so proud!

Old Country Store CEO Clark Shaw To Receive Jackson Award

(Jackson, TN) The six winners of the prestigious Jackson Awards were announced recently by the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation. The annual award categories include: The Arts, Community Service, Education, Health Care, Leadership and Volunteer Service. The 2011 winners will be honored at the Foundation's Charity Gala Saturday, November 12th at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. They are: The Arts - Lendon Noe, Community Service - Roy Heatherly, Education - Rayna Bomar, Health Care - Sammie Arnold, Leadership - Clark Shaw and Volunteer Service - Polly Carter. The Jackson Awards were established by the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation in 2006 as a means to honor those in the community who exemplify the truest qualities of a leader. The awards are named for President Andrew Jackson, the City's namesake.

Click here for the full story.

In business since 1965, the Old Country Store is located at 56 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson, Tennessee. The website is www.oldcountrystore.com.

Casey Jones Village Featured in Tennessee Alumnus Magazine!

2011-06-08T18:00:00Z

We are so thrilled to be in the current issue of Tennessee Alumnus magazine! Established in 1917, it is published three times a year for the University of Tennessee Alumni Association and distributed to over 77,000 contributors to the Annual Giving Program.

We were contacted a few months ago by Bud Grimes who is the Director of University Relations at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He was inquiring in his email about contacting UTM alum, Deborah Shaw Laman, saying that the Tennessee Alumnus magazine was interested in publishing a story on Casey Jones Village for their summer issue. Of course, we were delighted and met with Bud and UTM university photographer Trevor Ruszkowski in late January. It was a joy to work with them and we so appreciate the untold hours that went into the project. Bud's storytelling and Trevor's photography were a perfect combination. The article is a 4 page spread in the magazine with a number of wonderful pictures.

Read the story here online and thank you again to Tennessee Alumnus and to Bud Grimes and Trevor at UTM for an excellent job telling our story. Tennessee Alumnus Article on Casey Jones Village

Music Highway Crossroads Opens in Casey Jones Village!

2011-05-27T05:25:26Z

Stay tuned to all the latest news too at www.facebook.com/musichighwaycrossroads

For Immediate Release
May 26th, 2011

Music Highway Crossroads Opens in Casey Jones Village

(Jackson, TN) Go cat go! Everyone knows those lyrics and there's no mistaking that Jackson, Tennessee is rich in musical history as is the entire West Tennessee area. It literally is at the crossroads of the I-40 Music Highway and the Highway 45 Rock-a-billy Highway. In celebration of the many genres of music that have hailed from this area, the Old Country Store has opened a new venue called "Music Highway Crossroads" just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

It is in the Shoppes at Casey Jones Village adjacent to the Old Country Store and Casey Jones Museum. The 2,000 square foot space will be multi-functional. It has a strong retail component and offers custom locally branded items with a musical theme exclusively for the store and reflective of the West Tennessee music heritage.

Owner Clark Shaw said, "With Music Highway Crossroads, we are celebrating the music of the Tennessee Delta and the artists who made it happen ~ the Blues, Rock-a-billy, early Rock-n-Roll, Gospel, Country, R & B, Old-time and Bluegrass music. Iconic musical greats such as Carl Perkins, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elvis Presley, Eddie Arnold, Wink Martindale, W.S. Holland, Issac Hayes, Tina Turner and Denise LaSalle will be featured and plans are in development for museum quality exhibits to tell their stories. The list could go on and on of famous musical artists from the West Tennessee area like Carl Mann and Rayburn Anthony to name a few. This project has been envisioned for more than three years and we hope that it will be so well received that we will be expanding the space as the public reception allows. We are developing wonderful relationships with other music museums in Memphis who have agreed to loan us items on an ongoing basis."

Music Highway Crossroads will be managed by well known and highly regarded local musician Steve Patterson. It has a performance stage for local groups to entertain and guests to enjoy. There will be live musical events on a regular basis. Additional plans call for a studio for guests to make personal recordings.

Beginning May 27th, Grace Broadcasting's "Morning Praise" show with local radio veteran Tom Mapes will be broadcasting live on 97.7 from Music Highway Crossroads. The popular morning show will air from 8:00 am to 10:00 am Central Time Monday to Friday.

Music Highway Crossroads has been designed by Juanita Shaw assisted by Nancy Jane Hall and features antiques and unique eclectic design touches. It is open daily and located in the Shoppes at Casey Jones Village. Casey Jones Village is located in Jackson, Tennessee seconds from I-40 exit 80A. The website is www.caseyjones.com.

# # #

Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store
56 Casey Jones Lane
Jackson, Tennessee 38305
1.731.668.1223 1.800.748.9588

www.caseyjones.com

The Best Whistlestop Between Memphis & Nashville!

NASA Exhibit Visits Casey Jones Museum!

2011-04-26T20:17:00Z

Updated May 16th, 2011: The NASA exhibit was out of this world! It was an incredible success and our sincerest gratitude to the NASA Johnson Space Center for bringing this amazing exhibit to Jackson, Tennessee. The press release about it was picked up by the Associated Press and it literally was international news through media outlets all over the globe. Thank you AP!

We thoroughly enjoyed the NASA team, Sam, Elaine, Stacey & Charlie, who were with us in Casey Jones Village this past weekend and to Robin and Cassandra in Houston for helping us coordinate the details. It was a true honor. Congratulations to NASA on the successful launch of the Endeavour this morning! Very exciting!

NASA Traveling Exhibit to Visit

Casey Jones Village

(Jackson, TN) A little bit of Mission Control will have lift-off in Jackson, Tennessee the weekend of May 14th and 15th, 2011 as the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas brings the NASA’s Driven to Explore mobile exhibit to the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum and Casey Jones Village May 14th and 15th, 2011 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Driven to Explore has no admission charge and is designed for all ages to enjoy.

Driven to Explore is a mobile, multimedia experience showcasing NASA’s future plans for space exploration, including information on next-generation vehicles and the challenges associated with long term space travel. It immerses visitors in the story of NASA. The walking tour includes breathtaking imagery and audio and visual technology to connect guests with the space program.

The Museum was chosen as the only site in West Tennessee due to the unique transportation connection of the railroads to space travel and amount of visitors Casey Jones Village enjoys each year. NASA will be touring the exhibit through Tennessee during the month of May.

Visitors will have the rare opportunity to touch a moon rock brought back by Apollo 17, the last manned mission to the moon in 1972. The moon rock is the centerpiece of the traveling exhibit and is one of the only seven lunar samples in the world made available for the public to touch and feel.

Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum is located in Casey Jones Village in Jackson, Tennessee at 30 Casey Jones Lane. It is dedicated to the life and legend of Casey Jones and Jackson railroading history. For more information visit www.caseyjones.com.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human space flight training, research and flight control. The Center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas. Johnson Space Center is home to the United States astronaut corps and is responsible for training astronauts from both the U.S. and its international partners. It is often popularly referred to by its central function, "Mission Control". For more information visit www.nasa.gov.

So, "Roger" and "Copy That" and plan to be with us May 14th and 15th in Casey Jones Village for an out of this world experience.

# # #

Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store
56 Casey Jones Lane
Jackson, Tennessee 38305
1.731.668.1223 1.800.748.9588

www.caseyjones.com

The Best Whistlestop Between Memphis & Nashville!

Coupon for Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum

2011-04-01T03:45:00Z

This popular coupon has been EXTENDED through April of 2011! See details below!

Posted Febrary 21st, 2010: Our new special for the Museum through March 2011 is one FREE Casey Jones Museum admission with one paid adult admission ($6.50) with your Restaurant receipt from our restaurant in Casey Jones Village ~ Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store. Just turn your receipt in at the Museum and enjoy a free pass. It's a wonderful way to explore Jackson's railroad history!

Mary Spellings News!

2011-03-30T15:24:00Z

Posted March 30th, 2011: We're so proud of our own Mary Spellings from Art in the Village! Read this article about her upcoming exhibit in Clarksville: http://businessclarksville.com/2011/03/29/mary-spellings-watercolor-exhibit-set-for-customs-house-museum/

Old Country Store Wins State Video Award!

2011-03-02T05:19:00Z

Updated May, 2011: We were so honored to receive a video competition award from the State of Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development. It was formally presented at a reception for the "Walking Tall Trail" at the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum on May 2nd. See the story below from the ECD e-newsletter:

ECD Presents What Makes You an Entrepreneur Award? to Overall Winner

ECD's Janna Hellums presents the overall ' What Makes You an Entrepreneur? ' Video Competition

to the Winner, Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store in Jackson, with their award on Monday, May 2. Pictured left to right are: Hellums, Anne Shaw and Marty Marbry, West Tennessee regional director for the Tennessee Department of Tourism. The annual video competition honors entrepreneurs throughout the state.

Posted March 1st, 2011: We are so thrilled to announce that the Old Country Store has won a statewide video competition through the Tennessee Department of Economic Development! It was announced today in a press release. We found out about the competition last December through Lori Nunnery, the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director. The five minute video was narrated by Chairman of the Board Emeritus Anne Shaw and filmed by Doug Viar. Project leaders were Deborah Shaw Laman and Clark Shaw. If you would like to see the video visit our Village You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie1wnX6SMKc

ECD Announces Winners of Statewide Entrepreneurship Video Competition

Released on Tue, Mar 01, 2011 - 3:19 pm under

Economic and Community Development

Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store of Jackson Takes Top Prize

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today announced Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store of Jackson as the winner of the second annual statewide entrepreneurship video competition – “What Makes You an Entrepreneur?” Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store will receive a $500 cash prize in addition to a professional marketing package valued at $2,000 for the business.

“I’m honored to offer my congratulations to Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store and all of the other winners of the second annual ‘What Makes You an Entrepreneur’ video competition,” Commissioner Hagerty said. “Small businesses like these are the foundation that Tennessee was built on and continue to help grow our state’s economy.”

The second annual “What Makes You an Entrepreneur” video competition was hosted by ECD’s Business Enterprise Resource Office and the Tennessee Main Street Program in an effort to draw attention to the strong entrepreneurial spirit in Tennessee. Participants were asked to prepare a short video answering the question “What makes you an entrepreneur?” Finalists were selected from four business categories: Main Street/downtown; home-based; arts and entertainment; and innovation. The statewide winner was selected from the finalists of each category.

In addition to the overall statewide winner, Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store, the following winners were identified in their respective category:

Competition Finalists

Business Name

Category Winner

Betty P Taylor, Arize Independent Consultant Inc.
Memphis, Tenn.

Home-Based - Any business that is operated out of a home and that does not have a store-front, including Internet-based businesses

Estrada Strategies
Knoxville, Tenn.

Innovation - Any business that creates and/or develops new products, services or systems, including technology, marketing, social entrepreneurship and/or inventions.

Phil's Dream Pit
Kingsport, Tenn.

Arts & Entertainment - Any business related to the production or promotion of art, music, food or other entertainment business.

JDD Enterprises, Inc.
Johnson City, Tenn.

Main Street - Any business located in a traditional downtown area.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will use the winning entries in a department-produced video and print piece intended to identify and promote innovative entrepreneurs in Tennessee communities and encourage others to join them as small business owners.

To learn more about the competition and this year’s winners, please visit the official website: http://www.tnecd.gov/tnopenforbusiness. Last year’s overall winner, Pennington Seed and Supply Co. is featured in a video on ECD’s YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoMKbI4rYoc.

About Business Enterprise Resource Office
The Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) works to expand economic opportunities for small, rural, minority and women-owned businesses in Tennessee by providing information on procurement opportunities, loan programs and management programs with Tennessee private industry and government entities. BERO is an office within the Department of Economic and Community Development.

About Tennessee Main Street
The Tennessee Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts throughout the state. The Tennessee Main Street Program provides communities with technical assistance and expertise that promotes economic growth through the context of historic preservation.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd or www.investtennessee.org.

###

Please Join Us for a Taste of Jackson!

2011-02-23T16:46:00Z

We are very honored that Clark Shaw, CEO of Brooks Shaw & Son's Old Country Store, is the co-chair for the 2011 Taste of Jackson with John Singleton. We have participated in this important fundraiser all 25 years of its existence and look forward to having a booth again this year. We encourage you to attend the 2011 event March 3rd! It's a really wonderful night for an incredible cause. See details below...

Region’s Bank Presents:
The 25th Annual

“A TASTE OF JACKSON AND WEST TENNESSEE”

WHAT:
A Sampling of favorite dishes from approximately 50 restaurants along with entertainment and
exhibits...an evening of fun for the whole family.

    WHERE:
The Carl Perkins Civic Center

      WHEN:
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
5:00 p.m. til l 8:00 p.m.

   WHO:
Sponsored by: Region’s Bank; Leader's Credit Union; Kyrus Printing, Regional Hospital of Jackson;   WBBJ TV-7; WYN 107; Star107.7; 96 KIX; the Rocket 102.3; WJAK The Light;
101.5 FM and others.

WHY:

To benefit the March of Dimes Campaign for Healthier Babies

HOW:

Ticket Prices:
$35.00 adults (in advance)
$45.00 adults (at the door)
$25.00 children (Ages 10+)

TICKETS ARE NOW SALE AT ALL JACKSON KROGER STORES; REGIONS BANK (VININGS BRANCH ONLY) AND AT THE MARCH OF DIMES OFFICE.
Call 668-1023 for more information.

GROUP TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE

OF $25.00 CALL MARCH OF DIMES OFFICE FOR DETAILS at 731-668-1023

Walking Tall Trail Launches!

2010-12-02T02:50:00Z

December 1st, 2010: We were honored to attend the launch of the Walking Tall ~ Rockabilly, Rails & Legendary Tales Trail today! It is a self guided driving Trail through Southern West Tennessee from Memphis to the Selmer, Adamsville, Savannah, Shiloh, Pickwick area up to Lexington and Jackson and back through Bolivar and Somerville to Memphis. The story has garnered national attention and today's exciting events at the Buford Pusser Home & Museum in Adamsville and at Graceland in Memphis were the official kick-off of the Trail. Read the story below on ABC News!
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=12289347

The Trail is a Discover Tennessee Trail & Byway initiative through the Tennessee Departments of Tourism and Transportation. Come explore the Walking Tall Trail with historic sites and museums, charming shops, culinary treasures and a myriad of things to see and do! Learn more: http://tntrailsandbyways.com/

Old Country Store Announces New Historic Preservation Partnership

2010-10-20T04:23:00Z

Posted October 21st, 2010: We're so happy to report that today we relocated a church from Haywood County to Casey Jones Village. Be watching our restoration progress on this historic 105 year old church!

Posted October 19th, 2010

Old Country Store
Announces New Fund
with West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation

(Jackson, TN) Clark and Juanita Shaw and the Old Country Store are pleased to announce the establishment of the new Community Fund through a partnership with the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation entitled the “Village Church Historic Preservation Fund”.

In search of a church for the Village, about two years ago the Shaws discovered a small church building that belonged to the Browns Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Haywood County. It had been abandoned nearly forty years ago but was still in excellent condition. It was built 105 years ago and seats approximately sixty people. The Shaws approached the remaining membership of the church who graciously agreed to the church being relocated to Casey Jones Village.

Relocation is scheduled to take place this week weather permitting. Bill McMillen, who will be moving the
church, donated 125 year old brick for the church’s foundation.

The church will be used for a number of purposes. Primarily it will be used as a prayer chapel open daily and made available to visitors to the Village. The church will be utilized for special occasions and other uses that will include everything from gospel sings and community meetings, to weddings, receptions and dinner on the grounds type events.

The new historic preservation fund allows businesses and individuals to make tax deductible donations to the fund as well as in-kind donations. The West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation is West Tennessee's leading public foundation. While the majority of the funds raised provide for the health and well-being of West Tennesseans, there are a growing number a funds for arts and education.

The Mission Statement of the Village Church Historic Preservation Fund is as follows:

"Goal: To preserve and educate future generations about the rich history of worship in West Tennessee and the American South.

Donors would be able to contribute to Christian missions, community outreach and ministry opportunities as well as the educational, cultural and sustainable heritage tourism initiatives of the Fund. These contributions would go toward the historic preservation of the church buildings themselves as well as the documentation of Southern rural church history, the presentation of traveling and permanent exhibits, as a venue for music and performing arts, the hosting of church and tour groups and school field trips and other educational and teaching opportunities. Casey Jones Village welcomes over 700,000 visitors annually including local guests and travelers from across the nation and around the world."

If the public would like to be a part of this project, tax-deductible contributions can be made online to this community fund designated to the "Village Church Historic Preservation Fund" through the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation website at http://www.wth.org/ or by mailing a check to:

West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation
ATTN: Village Church Historic Preservation Fund
620 Skyline Drive
Jackson, TN 38301.

Here are specific instructions for making an online donation:

1. Go to www.wthfoundation.org/makeadonation

2. Click onthe CommunityFunds Link

3. Registeras a user and click continue

4. SelectVillage Church Historic Preservation Fund from the designationmenu

5. Completegift and submit

Thank you!

Secrets to Tourism Success Conference NEWS

2010-10-11T15:58:00Z

Update: The conference was a great day for West Tennessee tourism. With over 100 attendees we enjoyed a very informative day with nationally known tourism expert Judy Randall and also a public relations panel. Many thanks to everyone who participated and to the local media for covering the event. Here is a link to the excellent article in the Jackson Sun newspaper:
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20101105/BUSINESS/11050304/Leaders-listen-to-tourism-tips

Posted October 11th, 2010: This is going to be an incredible event for West Tennessee tourism with the opportunity to hear Judy Randall, one of the country's most dynamic tourism experts.

Civil War Sesquicentennial Event NEWS

2010-10-11T13:12:00Z

Posted October 2010:

We wanted to share the following information about this very historic event to be held in Nashville on November 12th and 13th. For more information please visit www.tncivilwar150.com.

Save the Date!
“The Coming of the Civil War”

November 12-13, 2010 - Nashville

Download the flier:
CivilWarSignatureEvent

Friday, November 12th - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday, November 13th - 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Press Release: How many opportunities are there to experience a real piece of history – especially for free? On November 12-13, the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial will kick off the first of its historic signature events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. This event is free and open to the public, and you won’t want to miss two days of outstanding living history, excellent speakers, and moving musical performances.

Beginning on Friday at TPAC’s Jackson Hall, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker will open the event, followed by a heart-stirring performance by the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, and remarks from Governor Phil Bredesen and James Lighthizer, President of the Civil War Preservation Trust, among many others. Trace Adkins, country star and narrator for Nashville Public Television’s upcoming Civil War documentary series, will also make an appearance. Both days of the event offer something of interest for everyone. Living history at the Bicentennial Mall includes Confederate and Union encampments, interpreters, music, flag presentations, and sutlers.

Attendees can also take a tour of the Civil War exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum which includes holdings of uniforms, battle flags and weapons that are among the best in the nation. In addition, a training session on how to interpret and organize Civil War artifacts will be held at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Saturday offers panel discussions with renowned Civil War scholars at the downtown War Memorial Building , including Drs. Paul Bergeron, Bobby Lovett, Tim Johnson, Carole Bucy, and Van West. Sessions will examine 1850s politics and the effect of Lincoln ’s election on the coming of the war; slavery, abolition, freedom, and the African American experience in Tennessee ; how women across the state prepared for war; and the contributions of Tennessee's brightest and most inept military leaders. Historian Sam Davis Elliott will discuss the coming of the war and its powerful impact across the nation in Saturday’s keynote address. All panelists return for the closing session “Was Secession Inevitable?” moderated by best-selling author of Widow of the South Robert Hicks. (Authors will also be available for a book signing).

This two-day event is not to be missed! To reserve your seat for the Sesquicentennial Civil War Signature event, please email Vionne Williams at vionne.williams@tn.gov or contact the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development at 615-741-2159. Be on the lookout for future events hosted by the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.

The Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission leads a state effort to promote, fund and preserve the complete story of Tennessee ’s Civil War and its legacy. To learn more or reserve your free seat at this event, visit www.tncivilwar150.com.

NEWS and Updates! Neil House

2010-09-15T19:32:00Z

Updated September 15th, 2010:   Restoration on the Neil House is going along beautifully. We so appreciate the Live @ 9 television show on WREG Channel 3 in Memphis having Clark and Juanita Shaw on as guests this morning to talk about the project. Our thanks to Marybeth Conley and April Thompson for being their hosts today. It's always a pleasure!

Updated Monday evening, August 9th, 2010: What an incredible day watching the movers and crew place the Neil House back together again. It was delayed a few hours due to a morning thunderstorm but went perfectly this afternoon!

Updated August 9th: We're a go for lifting the second floor onto the first. Stop by and watch if you are nearby. Will happen around 2:15 pm.

Updated August 9th, 2010: We had hoped to reset the second floor on top of the first floor of the Neil House this morning but due to a tremendous amount of rain the cranes have not been able to be in the field yet today and we are on hold right now. Stay tuned. We are trying to determine with the wet conditions the best time to proceed.

Updated August 3rd, 2010: The Neil House made the final leg of its journey to Jackson today and is now safely in the Village. We are so very excited and happy. See fascinating pictures taken by Katie Brake with the Jackson Sun on their website at www.jacksonsun.com . There is also great video clip by Brandon Artiles from Channel 7 here in Jackson. The story was also on Channel 5 in Memphis today from coverage by Justin Hanson. Our thanks toall the local and area media who followed this story from start to finish. The Trenton Herald Gazette newspaper has given excellent coverage to the Neil House all along the way. Again, our deepest gratitude to the many people who made this move from Trenton possible!

Updated August 2nd, 2010: The Neil House move went beautifully today. We are so thankful and so appreciative of the tremendous team effort. The mover's permit allows road travel up to 3 pm so the home will stay overnight in Humboldt and begin at 9:30 am Tuesday, August 3rd to continue on into Jackson to Casey Jones Village. Our heartfelt thanks to all the people involved in this huge undertaking today including Terry Logan movers, Joe Mitchell, AT & T, Gibson County, the City of Trenton, Trenton Mayor Tony Burriss, Mayor of Trenton, the City of Humboldt, Humboldt Mayor Allen Barker, Humboldt Chamber president Gil Fletcher, Humboldt Utilities, Humboldt cable, the law enforcement officers assigned to the move, the documentary crew, the news media and more. Tomorrow we will continue through Humboldt, into Three Way and on into Jackson. Many many people have participated in this amazing journey and we are so very grateful!

Updated August 1st, 2010: We are all clear for the move of the Neil House tomorrow ~ Monday, August 2nd. We'll be starting bright and early and go possibly into Tuesday. Thank you in advance for your well wishes and prayers for a safe journey.

Updated July 29th, 2010: We have launched a You Tube channel!

www.youtube.com/user/OldCountryStoreTV1   Not to worry - The Neil House will be completely restored to its former glory and we can't wait to show you the finished product. It is going to be gorgeous once again in the coming months.   Our thanks to videographer Doug Viar and his grandson, Joe, for videotaping the project and setting up this channel for us and also one for "CaseyJonesVillageTV1".    Listen in to Clark and Juanita Shaw this afternoon at 4:10 pm on Hap Fowler's American Family Radio for West TN show on www.wigh.afr.net!   Thank you Hap!

Updated July 28th, 2010:



Important Update from the Old Country Store on Moving the Neil House:

The move of the Neil House from Trenton to Jackson has been rescheduled from tomorrow to Monday, August 2nd to give the movers additional time to add further bracing to the 173 year old home. The home is structurally sound but still delicate due to its age and the 30 mile trek it will be making.

Plans call for the move to begin at 7:00 am Monday taking a path from the home's location on 502 High Street in Trenton, Tennessee down Highway 45 South through Humboldt into Jackson to Casey Jones Village. It will take approximately several hours to maneuver wires in Trenton and then several more hours to travel the rest of the route. We will also be monitoring the weather for any change in traveling conditions.

Moving a historic home is no small task and our utmost concern is for the crew involved and their safety and the citizens of these communities as well as the safety of the home. Project leader is the new owner of the Neil House Old Country Store CEO Clark Shaw. He and his wife, Juanita, acquired the home in June.

Updated July 26th, 2010: Today was a very exciting day with the Neil House project! On site in Trenton, Tennessee the movers and crane crew removed the second floor from the first floor in order to make the move possible. With the home being so tall it has to be moved in two separate floors. We gratefully acknowledge the amazing expertise of Terry Logan Movers and Crane Services of Jackson. It was an incredible site as the second floor was lifted from the first floor and hovered above it then lowered down behind it.

Here is a picture of the Neil House as it will be restored again when in Jackson and pictures of it today as the second floor was removed from the first floor. It was a sight to behold.

The fireplaces and front porch columns will of course be added back when it in place in Casey Jones Village. Also, the back of the house had several additions through its 173 years that were not strong enough for the move. The original 1837 part of the home and most historic is moving to the Village and plans call to add on later. The home has a formal living room, grand foyer and staircase, dining room, and bedrooms upstairs.....

Updated July 23rd, 2010: Everything is on go for the move of the Neil House to Casey Jones Village for the week of July 26th. Final preparations will take place Monday through Wednesday with the move beginning on Thursday, July 29th. The house mover will be taking a path from Trenton down Highway 45 south to Jackson. Of course with any move of this magnitude various factors can come into play but these are the plans to date. We appreciate your well wishes on this momentous occasion.

Updated July 16th, 2010: Work has been progressing at a rapid pace on the Neil House relocation and we still anticipate the move will take place before the end of July. We will let you know an exact date as soon as Clark lets me know. Thank you for your interest in this amazing story.

Updated July 1st, 2010: We are so appreciative of the kind words of support coming in from the community about the Neil House preservation. An article and editorial were in the Jackson Sun newspaper and a news story was on WBBJ TV, the local ABC affiliate, plus the story has been picked up by the Associated Press which is wonderful. Our gracious thanks to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for posting the story on their website and Press Room: http://press.tnvacation.com/media/News.asp?ID=613

We will keep you updated as we progress with moving this historic treasure to Jackson this summer. Happy 4th!

Posted June 28th, 2010: We are very excited to announce the following news! Please read our press release below:

Old Country Store Acquires

Historic Neil House in Trenton

(Jackson, TN) Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store and Clark and Juanita Shaw are pleased to announce the relocation of the historic Neil House from Trenton, Tennessee to Casey Jones Village in Jackson, Tennessee later this summer.

The Neil House was built in 1837 and, at 173 years, is one of Tennessee’s oldest homes. It has been an important part of Tennessee history and played a role in the Battle of Trenton during the Civil War when citizens gathered on its roof to watch the battle unfold.

It later became the home of Judge M.M. Neil, who served as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

The Shaw family and their company, Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, have a passion for preserving history and plan to restore this Tennessee treasure to its original Antebellum period look.

The Shaw’s have been working closely with the First Presbyterian Church who previously owned the home but needed it relocated for an upcoming church expansion.

A number of historically minded individuals in Trenton attempted to save the building but when that did not work out, the Shaw’s offered to relocate the home to Casey Jones Village.

Clark Shaw and his wife, Juanita, expressed their appreciation to the leadership of First Presbyterian Church whose desire it was to see the church saved and the citizens of Trenton who worked with the church in an attempt to preserve it. Both made it possible for the Old Country Store to be involved in preserving its future.

Shaw said, "Besides the church and citizens of Trenton, there are so many people and organizers to thank including the mayors of Trenton, Humboldt and Jackson, communities through which the home will pass." Shaw continued, "Our gratitude to the utility and cable TV companies and AT & T, who will not only be lifting the phone lines all along the route, will also be providing a grant from its Foundation to help reduce the moving costs. We'd also like to thank the house movers, building contractor and friend Joe Mitchell and the dismantling team headed by Bill McMillen. Everyone we talked with was willing to partner with us to make this historic move possible." Shaw added, "Our gratitude also goes out to State Representatives Jimmy Eldridge and Steve McDaniel who believed in the historical significance of this project and the support of the Parker's Crossroads Battlefield Association."

Plans call for work to begin on the house today Monday, June 28^th and the house moving company, Terry Logan House Movers, is expected to make the 30 mile trek by the end of July, 2010.

According to Shaw, it became economically unfeasible to relocate the entire structure, which had seen an addition in the 1890’s and another in the 1930’s. The original 1837 portion, which is by far the most historically important, will be relocated.

Because of the height of over 33 feet, the home will be divided into two sections and moved on the same day. It will then be reassembled and restored on site at Casey Jones Village to its 1837 antebellum grandeur.

Once fully restored on both the exterior and interior, period furniture and accessories will be added to make the restoration complete. It will be utilized as an attraction at Casey Jones Village and made available for historic home tours. Future plans call for the home to be open for receptions and private catered dinners, meetings, weddings, community events, Civil War Living History weekends and perhaps a Bed and Breakfast. It is a beautiful antebellum plantation house with two large porches across the front, 14 foot ceilings on both levels, 15 inch baseboards and door frames of heart pine, 12 foot windows, 10 foot 6 inch doors, poplar wood floors and is built in the classic Federal style.

The new name for the home will be “The Plantation House” at Casey Jones Village ~ An Antebellum Experience. The home is expected to be open to the public in the spring of 2011.

Casey Jones Village is located in Jackson, Tennessee at 56 Casey Jones Lane near I-40 exit 80A. The website is www.caseyjones.com .

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Join us at the Signature Chefs Auction!

2010-09-07T16:49:00Z

Posted September 2010: The Old Country Store is very honored to be a part of the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction again this year at the Holiday Inn here in Jackson on Thursday evening, September 16th at 6:00 pm. Please plan to attend for this wonderful cause!

Read more about this very special event here:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/tennessee/43478_66523.asp

Event Press Release: SignatureChefsAuction2010

Thank you!

We're in USA Today!

2010-09-07T12:05:00Z

Updated September, 2010: We're so happy about this we are running this coupon through the end of the month. It will run in the Jackson Sun on September 11: IceCreamParlorCouponsSeptember2010

Posted August 27th, 2010: This is one of the most exciting announcements we have ever made! We're in USA Today! http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/greatamericanbites/ice-cream/39857952/1?loc=interstitialskip

Our heartfelt thanks to Cindy Dupree with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for nominating us:

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