MORTON MUSEUM HERITAGE DAY:  

SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT AT THE CABIN

Collierville, TN, Historic Town Square

April 27, 2019

       TRADITIONAL LOG CABINS WERE ONCE very busy places where hard-working families eked out a living by farming and with hand tools and crafts that are hardly recognized today. During infrequent periods of rest and relaxation, they played music and sang the old songs of the British Isles and everywhere else throughout Europe. On this particular windy Saturday, the Morton Museum of Collierville History brought back to a historic log cabin a sampling of the music, crafts, and customs of centuries now past. The cabin was moved to  its present site at the Historic Town Square from another location in Shelby County, Tennessee. The Morton Museum is located at Poplar Avenue and Main Street in what had become known as "The White Church" for its beautiful exterior.

       The old log cabin was made ready for musicians Lee Cagle and Mary Baddour to sing and play old tunes from long ago on the dulcimer, autoharp, and guitar. The grounds around the cabin were filled with artisans in authentic dress who showed onlookers how things were done in the late-1800's to early-1900s. Times were truly different, and today's younger generation has hardly a clue about how things were built or made 'back in the day'.

       We will give you Lee and Mary's song selection and also show you some pictures from the event. Perhaps for some of you, the songs and the photos will bring back memories of another simpler place and time.

       Song selection:  Sandy Boys, Rock the Cradle Joe, John Stinson's #2, Kiowa Special, Gold Watch and Chain, Pig's Foot/Catfish/Roscoe, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, Winder Slide, Old Joe Clark, Barlow Knife (feather/noter), Liza Jane, Southwind, Black Mountain Rag/Whiskey Before Breakfast, Wildwood Flower, and Amazing Grace. Thanks to Lee and Mary for their performance as the craftsmen and -women showed some of their work and how things were made.

       Here are some photos from Heritage Day at the Collierville Historic Town Square. Click each one to get a better view.

At the old spinning wheel

Chatting about how things were made 'way back when

A child's toy (hoop) and candle-making

Showing items from earlier times

Weaving

L to R: Lee Cagle (mountain lap dulcimer),

Mary Baddour (clawhammer banjo)

Lee (L) and Mary (R) at the old cabin on the Square

Lee and Mary performing an old-time song

on mountain lap dulcimer and clawhammer banjo

Mary Baddour on clawhammer banjo

Look closely at the feather in Lee Cagle's right hand

as she plays a tune on the mountain lap dulcimer

For more information:

Morton Museum of Collierville History  www.colliervillemuseum.org

The Town of Collierville  www.collierville.com

Main Street Collierville  www.mainstreetcollierville.org

Tour Collierville Magazine  www.tourcollierville.com

Lee Cagle Dulcimers  www.leecagledulcimers.com