|
|
|
|
|
 |
.png)
|
This section is a
compilation of previous classes, seminars, exhibits and tours
over the past few years.
All new (2013) activities are listed on the
first page of the web site. |
|
|
 |
 |
After
spending
many
afternoons
and
weekends
during
the
Summer
driving
and
walking
the
streets
of
the
six
neighborhood
districts (Red Acres,
University Area,
Messick-Buntyn,
Joffre, East
Buntyn and
Normal Station)
surrounding
the
University
Of
Memphis
campus,
Jimmy
Ogle
developed a 6 part presentation for the Friends Of The University Libraries.
The
program
has
been
well
received
as
it
covered:
1)
- the
development
of
the
area
surrounding
the
campus
before
the University
was
founded
in
1912,
2)
- neighborhood changes as the University grew and the City annexation crept
towards and around
the
University
during
the
middle
of
the
20th
century,
and
3)
- how
the
neighborhoods
co-exist
today
with
the
University
as
it
grows
and expands its impact in the City while continuing to move forward
to a second
century
of
education,
community
leadership
and
service.
With Parts 1-4 successfully completed, including two days of walking tours of
the perimeter of the southeast and southwest portion of the campus, the focus
returns to features of the Neighborhoods in January, 2012 entitled "The
Churches" with attention given to the twelve different houses of worship in the
six neighborhood districts.
A special nod will be given to
HARC -
Highland Area Renewal Corporation and its broad-based efforts to provide many
services for the area. |
 |
This ongoing
program,
entitled “The
People’s
History”,
continues the
goal of having
residents share
personal stories
and memorabilia
from their
family history,
photo albums and
attics. HARC
(Highland Area
Renewal
Corporation)
will be
gathering and
cataloguing
materials from
residents at the
Highland Branch
Public Library
beginning in
January.
Class Info -
www.memphis.edu/libraries/about/events/index.php
Friends Of The
Libraries –
www.memphis.edu/fol
University
Neighborhood
Development
Corporation –
www.memphisundc.com
|
|
Memphis
History: "Centuries Of Adventure
& Development"
Meeman Center For Lifelong
Learning at Rhodes College - Spring Semester
On
four evenings, Jimmy Ogle will
present various aspects of his
studies and life's experiences
with Memphis, Tennessee.
From the early explorers and
settlers to modern day citizens;
from imposing natural landscapes
that made Memphis one of the
earliest settlements in the
nation to the largest metropolis
of the Mid-South to the
Mississippi River, Cotton, Civil
War, Disasters, Beale Street,
Memphis Music, Civil Rights,
Medicine and the city's modern
day impact as the "Nation's
Distribution Center" will be
covered, including many
anecdotes, fun facts, figures
and historical achievements of
many citizens along the way.
 |
April 9: Before There Was "Memphis" (1541 - 1826)
Historic Memphis To Modern Memphis (1819-2012)
April 16: Memphis Memorials, Statues & Sculptures
The Memphis Music Story
April 23: Cotton Men of Elmwood; Civil War; "The Moving Appeal"
Memphis & The Civil Rights Movement
April 30: Potpourri Night featuring Overton Park; Gayoso Bayou: Then & Now;
Origins & Oddities of the Streets & Bridges of Memphis;
Mississippi River Stories . . . and more . . .
Four Monday Evenings, April 9-30, 2012
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $120 |
 |
Registration: Online at
http://meeman.rhodes.edu/ or
call 901-843-3947 or
901-843-3965.
|
|
Art Class From Bolton High School
Attends Inaugural Rubbings Tour
Over thirty students, teachers, and parents from Bolton High School assembled in
Court Square on October 13 for the Inaugural Manhole Cover Rubbings Tour. The
Art teacher, Autumn Thron, had attended the July 12 Union Avenue Manhole Cover &
History Tour as a part of a class from the Nesin Graduate School of the Memphis
College of Art. Autumn picked up on the idea that making various rubbings would
be both interesting and challenging to the students. And, of course, learning
some Memphis history along way would be a bonus.
To begin with, students made rubbings on the top of the wall of the Hebe
Fountain in Court Square. The names of the fifty citizens who in 1876 donated
$1000 each towards the construction of the fountain, as commemoration to our
Nation's Centennial Anniversary, are etched in the top along with other names of
companies involved in the project. History was given about the founding of
Memphis, Court Square and the surrounding buildings in the area, even the fact
that Thomas Edison worked in a building across from Court Square and lived just
three blocks away east on Court Avenue. The class then proceeded to the Main
Street Mall, and dodging trolleys, proceeded to make some superior rubbings from
manhole covers that were over 100 years old, as well as the classic Steamboat
cover from Vulcan (1986).
Next on the route was Center Lane, between the historic Falls Building
(1912), the largest such building in Memphis built exclusively for cotton
merchants at that time and Union Avenue. Along the way, rubbings were made from
century-old telephone covers representing several generations of telephone
companies (Continental Telephone & Telegraph, Western Union Telegraph Company
and even South Central Bell). The history of Confederate Park, streets named for
Presidents, the Moving Appeal historical marker, the University of Memphis Law
School (formerly U.S. Customs House), Gen. Washburn's Escape Alley, tall
buildings and a special surprise visit (and talk) from Carol Perel of the Cotton
Museum made the "art" tour a significant and interesting "history" tour, as
well. The two-hour tour culminated with a picnic lunch in Tom Lee Park, after a
walk and talk along Riverside Drive about the Mississippi River and Memphis
riverfront history. We even saw the replica of the Nina (1492) floating up the
Wolf River Harbor.
I was amazed at the creativity of the students as they had the
opportunity to make five separate rubbings of any kind. Some students mixed
different cover tops together on their paper and used different colors within
the rubbing (something that I never would have thought of!). Many thanks to the
students of Bolton High School for their interest and talent. Soon on this web
site, there will be a special display of many of the rubbings.
Thank you, Autumn Thron for creating the first-ever Manhole Cover Rubbing Tour in Downtown
Memphis!
|
!!! UPDATE !!!
Sent from
Autumn Parkey, Art Instructor at Bolton High School,
these selections are from a "mixed media" exhibit developed from the
rubbings tour.
 |
 |
 |
|
Click on
each picture to enlarge |
|
|
|
Memphis
History: "Centuries Of Adventure
& Development"
Meeman Center For Lifelong
Learning at Rhodes College - Autumn Semester
On
four evenings, Jimmy Ogle will
present various aspects of his
studies and life's experiences
with Memphis, Tennessee.
From the early explorers and
settlers to modern day citizens;
from imposing natural landscapes
that made Memphis one of the
earliest settlements in the
nation to the largest metropolis
of the Mid-South to the
Mississippi River, Cotton, Civil
War, Disasters, Beale Street,
Memphis Music, Civil Rights,
Medicine and the city's modern
day impact as the "Nation's
Distribution Center" will be
covered, including many
anecdotes, fun facts, figures
and historical achievements of
many citizens along the way.
 |
September 26:
Before There Was A
Memphis (1541-1826)
Historic Memphis to
Modern Memphis
(1819-2011)
October 3:
Memphis Memorials,
Statues & Sculpture
The Memphis Music
Story
October 10:
Cotton Men of
Elmwood
Memphis & The Civil
Rights Movement
October 17:
Potpourri Night:
Overton Park; Gayoso
Bayou: Then & Now;
Origins & Oddities
of the Streets &
Bridges of Memphis;
Mississippi River
Stories . . . and
more.
Optional Field Trip!
Saturday, October 22
at 1:00 p.m. Court
Square &
Surroundings,
Confederate Park &
Cotton Row, and The
Riverfront Trolley
Loop
Four Monday evenings
, September 26 -
October 17
5:30 p.m. - 7:30
p.m.
Cost: $120 |
|
Registration: Online at
http://meeman.rhodes.edu/ or
call 901-843-3947 or
901-843-3965.
|
|
Baseball Memphis At West Tennessee Historical Society
Monday, October 10, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Wunderlich Auditorium * Memphis
University School * 6191 Park Avenue
Longtime friend and fellow Metro
Stats Crew operative, John "JJ"
Guinozzo is opening the vaults
of his more than fifty-year
collection of Memphis Baseball
memorabilia. JJ has been the
Official Scorer for the Memphis
Redbirds and previous
professional baseball teams here
.gif) since 1971, and one of the only
eight scorers in Memphis
professional baseball history
since 1877! JJ has been
compiling and annually updates
his "Memphis Baseball
Encyclopedia" with all sorts of
facts & figures, classic photos
& trivia, and the general
history of Memphis' legacy and
continuing presence in the Great
American Pastime.
Two performances were held at the Memphis & Shelby
County Room of the Benjamin Hooks Central Library on July 7 and August 22. The programs
were about 45 minutes long and
full of photographs accompanied
by JJ's insightful and witty
remarks. We are very grateful to
the folks that "packed the
house" on "Opening Night" on
Thursday, July 7. Three exhibit cases will
display (through Labor Day), all
sorts of "JJ Baseball memorabilia" including pennants, score books, caps,
classic photographs of ballparks and many former players, autographed baseballs,
championship rings, promotional items like bobble heads, cups & t-shirts, and on
and on - a real treasure trove from a very treasured scorer and collector, JJ Guinozzo (2-2-2 -
DING!).
|
|
|
|
|
 |
THE WEST TENNESSEE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PAPERS
VOLUME LXIV
2010 |
 |
 |
The 2010
West Tennessee Historical Papers are here. Vincent Clark has done
another marvelous job of editing this annual publication. Since
1947, the WTHS has published an anthology of formal history papers,
notes and documents, and book reviews about West Tennessee topics.
In this edition, Jimmy O has his first-ever "book review" published
covering A Guide To Historic Downtown Memphis, by William Patton.
Bill is the founder, owner and operator of
Backbeat
Tours in Memphis, which encompasses a wide variety of tour
services.
The
origin of the WTHS dates back to 1857 when local residents organized
"The Old Folks Society of Shelby County" and began holding regular
programs. In 1925, the Memphis Historical Society, a descendant
organization of the Old Folks, expanded its scope to include the
other twenty counties of West Tennessee (between the Tennessee and
Mississippi Rivers).
The WTHS
represents the 21 westernmost counties in Tennessee. Monthly
meetings are generally held the first Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in
Wunderlich
Auditorium at Memphis University School, 6191 Park Avenue, with
meetings also in the Jackson and/or Martin areas periodically.
Dr. John
Harkins is the President of the WTHS. For more information about the
West Tennessee Historical Society, go to
wths-tn.org or go
to the LINKS section on this web site. |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Memphis
College Of Art Community
Education Course
“Memphis
Uncovered: History Walk & Talk”
|
Location:
Memphis College Of
Art
(Downtown Campus)
Nesin Graduate
School
477 South Main
Street
(in the South Main
Historic District)
|
Sessions:
(Six Total Sessions)
Classroom (3) - on
Tuesday Evenings
April 5, 12 & 26
@ 7:00
p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Walking Tours
Downtown (3) - on
Saturday Mornings
April 9, 16 & 30
@ 10:00 a.m. –
12:30 p.m. |
|
Fees:
Tuition: $90.00
Payable to Memphis
College of Art
(Registration Will
Begin December 6,
2010) |
|
Course:
Description:
“Memphis Uncovered:
History Walk & Talk”
Discover the
history, art and
architecture of
Memphis with
celebrated historian
Jimmy Ogle as your
guide. The three
classroom sessions
feature narrated
phototours of
Memphis from the
beginning to present
day. On the three
Saturdays, walk the
streets, alleys,
parks, plazas and
riverfront of
Downtown Memphis, as
Mr. Ogle uncovers
the abundance of
secret treasures our
fair city holds. |
|
Instructor:
Classroom Speaker
and Tour Guide:
Jimmy Ogle
Jimmy Ogle is a
genuine Memphis
treasure with an
encyclopedic
knowledge of the
city's history. Mr.
Ogle is the
recipient of
numerous hospitality
industry awards,
including the
Memphis Convention &
Visitors Bureau's
“Spirit Of Memphis”
Award. Those who
take Mr. Ogle's
walking tours are
advised to wear
comfortable shoes
and pay close
attention!
|
|
|
|
x
|
|
|
|
University of Memphis Continuing Education
Course
"Memphis
History: The Hybrid Tour"
If you’ve never been on a Jimmy
Ogle tour of Memphis, you are in
for a unique treat! Three
classroom sessions will be
phototours of Memphis from the
beginning to present day. During
the three Saturday afternoon
sessions, we will walk the
streets, alleys, parks, plazas
and riverfront of Downtown
Memphis, including Union Avenue,
Beale Street, Cotton Row, Court
Square, Adams Avenue, Civic
Center Plaza, the Pinch
District, and the Riverfront
Trolley Loop. You may be a
winner of a chocolate milkshake
at Front Street Deli or hot
fudge pie at
Westy’s! Don’t miss
out on this great Memphis
adventure in the spring-time.
When one person registers, a
second person can register for
only $40! Simply use promo code
HYBRID when the second person
registers. Saturday tours will
begin at 1:30 PM.
Course #: RHS0051W10
Cost: $79
Instructor: Jimmy Ogle
Location: UofM Main Campus
Classroom Sessions: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on
Tuesdays, April 6, 13 & 20
Downtown Walking Tours: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. on
Saturdays, April 10, 17 & 24
The focus of the course is on Downtown Memphis!
|
|
|
|
|
Academia
Calling
April will be a busy in the
lands of Memphis Academia for
Jimmy O. On top of the "Know
Your Neighborhoods" presentation
for the Friends of the Libraries
at the University of Memphis and
the "Memphis Uncovered" course
sessions at the Memphis College
of Art, presentations will be
made to the following
institutions or conferences:
 April
13 (10:30 a.m.) Highland Branch
Library - "University of Memphis
- Neighborhoods, Part One"
April 13 (7:00 p.m.) Seismology
Society of America, Cannon
Center - "Before Memphis,
1811-1812"
April 15 (11:00 a.m.) Tennessee
Preservation Trust, Collierville
- "Civil Rights - Unknown Places
in Memphis"
April 25 (5:30 p.m.) Meeman
Center for Lifelong Learning,
Rhodes College - "Historic
Memphis"
It
is indeed an honor to be asked
to speak before these
distinguished groups and places,
representing "my home town" -
Memphis, Tennessee!
|
x
|
From
The Book Corner . . .
Memphis Q
By Peter Calandruccio
Peter published Memphis Q earlier this year
and now has a Stocking Stuffer Offers that
are pretty good at
www.BarBQMemphis.com. Memphis is the BBQ
Capital of America and Peter does not offer
“opinions,
recipes or cute BBQ stories”, but rather a
comprehensive guide to 72 BBQ eateries in
Memphis.
Each page features a separate BBQ
establishment with a picture of the property
(exterior, front), a street map locator,
address and telephone number. In the front
of the guide is also a citywide map of all
72 locations mentioned in the guide.
Peter and his Mother, Betty (pictured here
with Jimmy O) have been known to attend to
Talks & Tours of Jimmy O, and Betty has been
a helpful contributor of information and
materials to the cause. Thank you Peter and
Betty . . .
|
|
A Guide To Historic Downtown Memphis
By Bill Patton
It seems as
though a "history of Memphis" is written
every twenty years or so, and Memphis
deserves that with all of the re-adaptive
uses of old buildings and with the new
facilities coming on line. But also, the
past 250-year or so "history" of the Memphis
area needs to be refreshed as seen from a
different set of eyes.
 Well...
Bill Patton wrote a book. You all have seen
the Backbeat Tours bus rolling around town
giving exciting and musically-fun tours
about Memphis history. The owner of the
company, Bill Patton, has written a book
entitle “A Guide To Historic Downtown
Memphis” and it is hot off the presses this
month and in local bookstores soon.
The book is
190 pages, 5.5" X 8.5" paperback and
one-half-inch thick, so it is very
manageable to carry around while you spend
several walking the streets of Downtown
Memphis and the Riverfront. Chapters in the
book include: Beale Street, Front Street,
Bluffs & Riverfront, Main Street, Court
Square, Civic Memphis, Second & Third
Streets, Victorian Village, Madison & Union
Avenues, Pinch District-North Memphis, South
Main Arts District and Other Places Of
Interest.
Bill will be
having a few book signings in local
libraries, bookstores and museums,
and we will keep you posted on those dates.
Congratulations, Bill!
Book Signings
Thursday,
November 18 at 12:00 Noon
Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton
Exchange, 65 Union Avenue.
|
|
Mike
Freeman Has Another Book!
Clarence Saunders And The
Founding Of Piggly Wiggly
 My
friend, Mike Freeman, did some
research on a building at 79
Jefferson Avenue while working
at a restaurant named Jefferson
Square in the 1970, operated by
Jake Schorr. It turns out that
was the location of the
first-ever self-service grocery
store in America, Piggly Wiggly,
founded and open by Memphian
Clarence Saunders in September,
1916.
Also, it was the subject of
Mike's master's thesis and now
is a newly published book
entitled "Clarence Saunders And
The Founding Of Piggly Wiggly".
Mike's book
is available online or
at
The Booksellers At Laurelwood
(formerly Davis-Kidd
Bookstore).
Now, Mike
and I also have the opportunity
to work with
Greg Averbuch of Summit
Management, operators of the
three hotel properties on North
Main between Jefferson and
Madison (Sleep Inn, SpringHill
Suites By Marriott & Courtyard
By Marriott). Greg wants to
decorate the Lobby of the
Courtyard By Marriott, which is
on the actually 79 Jefferson
Avenue site, into a theme that
recognizes Clarence Saunders for
his accomplishments. More on all
this later, and a book
signing by Mike there at 79
Jefferson Avenue by the
historical marker in September.
Mike has also authored several
other books and once lived at
1034 Audubon Drive, Elvis' home
before he moved into Graceland.
Mike is a premiere tour guide in
Memphis (and Tupelo) as well as
an authority on many aspects of
Memphis music history. (www.mikesmemphistours.com)
|
|
|
The long-anticipated
Grand Opening of the
new
Zippin Pippin
at
Bay Beach Amusement
Park in Green
Bay was Saturday,
May 21. Memphian Steve Mulroy of Remember Libertyland
was an honored guest riding on
the first ride of the day!
Green Bay bought the rights to
the Zippin Pippin name and
design in 2010 and has developed
a fabulous web site,
ZippinPippin.org, which
covers the construction process
and other information about the
new ride.
|
| Many thanks to Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, and fellow GB City workers Bill Landvatter, Dan Lardonis and Tina Westergaard of Green Bay for being easy to work with in getting the Zippin Pippin project. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal ©2010-2013 All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, original graphics are by
Lizi Beard-Ward.
Content and design are the property of JimmyOgle.com
and may not be reproduced without expressed permission.
This website uses tables and JavaScript and has been designed for an 1024 X 768 resolution.
|
|
|
.png){kind=small}
