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Homer and Mabel Pittard Papers

Dates

1861 - 1995

Creator

Pittard,Homer; Pittard, Mabel

Summary/Abstract

The Homer and Mabel Pittard Papers comprise research materials collected by a husband and wife interested in Murfreesboro history, Rutherford County History, and Civil War History. The Pittards met while at MTSU, each receiving advanced degrees and publishing several books. Homer Pittard taught at MTSU. The Campus School was named for him. These papers are a valuable resource for study of MTSU history, local history, and local Civil War history.

Quantity/Physical Description

Approximately 13.5 linear feet

Language(s)

English

Repository

Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, (615) 898-2632

Restrictions on Access

None

Copyright

It is presumed that corporate and individual copyrights in manuscripts, photographs, and other materials have been retained by the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions apply. Users of materials should seek necessary permissions from the copyright hold

Preferred Citation

(Box Number, Folder Number), Collection Name, Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Acquisition

Donated by Mabel Pittard, 1995. Second acquisition received by Mabel Pittard, 2000.

Processed By

Original Processor undetermined.

Arrangement

These papers are arranged into sixteen series: Business; Civil War Clubs/ Commemorations; Civil War – Historic Sites; Civil War – History; Civil War – People; Clubs & Organizations; Communities; Education; Events; Historic Sites; Lectures & Speeches

Biographical Note

Homer Pittard was born December 21, 1911, in Rutherford County.  He organized the Rutherford County Historical Society and served as county historian for Rutherford County. Dr. Pittard was also an educator, active in both the local public schools and at MTSU. His interest in the history of Rutherford County led him to publish two books on the area.   Homer met his wife, Mabel Baxter of Lawrenceburg, at Middle Tennessee State Teachers College where they were both studying to become teachers. They shared an avid interest in education and history, particularly the history of the Civil War. Mabel taught several generations of students in Rutherford County and published three books on local history. 

Scope and Content

Materials in the Pittard Papers include MTSU event programs, Murfreesboro and Rutherford County promotional items, Rutherford County School Board documentation, maps, family history documentation (correspondences, photographs, resumes, and newspaper clippings), Civil War and Stones River Battlefield memorabilia, church bulletins, photographs, and books.

 

Series 1: Business (1 box, 14 folders)

This series contains material either from or about area businesses. Items range from correspondence, news clippings, and research notes.

 

Series 2:  Civil War — Clubs/Commemorations (3 boxes, 34 folders)

Primarily this series focuses on the activities and clubs formed for the Civil War Centennial. In addition to items gathered to plan and celebrate the Civil War Centennial, this series also contains the correspondence and publications of the Forrest Round Table, the local commemoration society formed in honor of the Confederate General, Nathan Bedford Forrest.

 

Series 3:  Civil War — Historic Sites (1 box, 9 folders)

This series contains items from or describing various Civil War Historic sites. Of particular interest are items pertaining to the efforts of Homer Pittard to preserve Fortress Rosencrans and have the site opened to the public as a park.

 

Series 4:  Civil War — History (3 boxes, 48 folders)

This series reflects most of the research material used by Dr. Pittard in writing his speeches and publications on the Civil War in Murfreesboro.  Items in this series are primarily research correspondence, copies of research material, research notes, and some original documents pertaining to the Battle of Stones River.

 

Series 5:  Civil War — People (3 boxes, 48 folders)

Items contained in this series are primarily research on local individuals who played a role in the Civil War or of soldiers who came to Murfreesboro to fight in the Battle of Stones River.  There are copies of research on individuals, research notes, or copies of letters written by specific people. The most significant items in this series relate to Major Charles Anderson and Dewitt Smith Jobe. Charles Anderson served in the Civil War but the original documents in this collection pertain to his activities in the regional Confederate Veterans Association.  Also in this series is the personal correspondence of Dewitt Jobe, a local man who served as a Confederate Scout and was killed by a Union scouting party just outside of Triune, TN. There are other original Civil War letters from Robert H. Avaritt, a Confederate soldier in the 18th Tennessee who was a POW at the time he wrote his letter, and letters from Philip H. Hill, a Union soldier in the New York Militia.

 

Series 6: Clubs & Organizations (1 box, 12 folders)

This series contains information on local involvement in various clubs and organizations.  Some items are research-related or contain publications put out by those groups.  Of special note, Homer Pittard was very active in the local Rotary Club and saved both publications about and from this chapter.

 

Series 7: Communities (1 box, 24 folders)

Items in this series cover a wide scope of material focusing on both local communities and communities where the Pittard family traveled. There are several community histories and various maps, brochures, and telephone directories. The strongest focus in this series is on Murfreesboro history.

 

Series 8:  Education (2 boxes, 38 folders)

Within this series are items from both local and regional educational institutions.  There is information from various colleges, primary and secondary schools, and the early one-room school houses.  In addition to information from and about these schools, there are several folders containing documentation from administrative organizations and clubs associated with those schools.

 

Series 9: Events (1 box, 11 folders)

Primarily this series focuses on the community participation in celebrating the United States Bicentennial.  These items cover promotional items, news clippings, publications, and correspondence between Homer Pittard and other event planners. In addition to the Bicentennial, there is information on or from several other historic events contained in this series.

 

Series 10: Historic Sites (1 box, 18 folders)

This series contains information on both historic homes and larger historic sites.  Most of the information gathered about historic homes was intended to be included in National Register Nominations. The accompanying photographs are located in the photograph collection. Of the other historic sites, the most significant information in this series focuses on the founding of Cannonsburg.

 

Series 11:  Lectures & Speeches (4 boxes, 61 folders)

Items contained in this series are the note cards Homer Pittard used for his speeches and some research material that he used in his speeches.

 

Series 12: Newspapers (3 boxes, 31 folders)

All items in this series are newspapers or newspaper clippings. The first box contains items categorized by general subject and the second box contains information about the Civil War. The third box contains original Civil War era newspapers.

 

Series 13: Oversized (1 box, 6 folders)

This series simply contains any items from another series that were too large for a letter or legal sized box. All items are associated with a folder from another series.

 

Series 14: People (3 boxes, 59 folders)

Most items in this series are copies of research documentation on local historical figures.  There are some original documents, particularly from the Pittard family, most of which is personal correspondence to or from the person who is the subject of the folder. Also included in this series is the documentation from the search conducted by the Rutherford County Historical Society for the top ten most famous Rutherford Countians.

 

Series 15: Publications (1 box, 12 folders)

All books that are a part of this series are stored separately and can be found on the Gore Center bookshelves. All other items are listed by subject and are publications either pertaining to local history or that were published locally.

 

Series 16: Rutherford County (1 box, 11 folders)

In this series are various items regarding different aspects of Rutherford County history. Items range from research notes, research documentation, and some primary documents. The most significant items in this series are several letters certifying membership in various local churches which range in date from the middle to late 19th century.

Associated Materials

None

Related Collections

Rutherford County Historical Society Papers

Subject Terms

Persons/Families

Pittard, Homer, Pittard, Mabel, Anderson, Charles, Jobe, Dewitt Smith, Avaritt, Robert H, Forrest, Nathan Bedford, Hill, Philip H.

Organizations/Corporate Names

Middle Tennessee State University

Places

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Subjects (General)

Civil War, Civil War Commemoration, Local history, Historic sites, Education

Occupations

Material Types

Photographs, Negatives, Publications, Photocopies, Correspondence, Newspapers, Newspaper Clippings, Speeches, Lecture Notes, Research Notes

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Albert Gore Research Center

P. O. Box 193, 1301 E. Main St.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132

Main: 615-898-2632
University Archives: 615-898-5202
Director: 615-898-2633

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Todd Hall Suite 128

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