January 17, 2020 - The considerable resources of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society again demonstrated their value at the society's January meeting last Wednesday. Representing a local group preparing a submission to win a “small town makeover” from HGTV's “Home Town” reality series, Businessperson Kelli Rhodes Bass and Greg Stanford appealed to TAGHS for historical information and photos.
According to an HGTV press release, Erin and Ben Napier, of "Home Town," will take part in a new series, "Home Town Takeover," where the couple will transform a small town. During the show's six episodes, the HGTV stars will take on different parts of the town, including single-family houses, public parks, businesses and more.
"This is a big one," Erin Napier said. "HGTV has never, ever taken on a whole town renovation and restoration project and we're so proud and excited to be leading the team that will get it done. Tell us what makes your town special and how you'd like us to help make it better. You may see us in your town soon." “Home Town Takeover" is slated to begin in 2021. After a few questions and a brief discussion, TAGHS members embraced the project and set about exploring the ways in which the society could help.
A second opportunity to utilize TAGHS resources arose when the scheduled program was canceled when the speaker was involved in an accident. A video of a program from 2016 was selected from TAGHS's extensive library and members and guests enjoyed a reprise of Orval Miller's excellent presentation on fox hunting in Shelby County. After the program, society president Jan Barrett lamented the fact that so few people outside of the society's members seem to be aware of the resources and assistance available free of charge from TAGHS.
“Our video library contains hundreds of past programs which can be viewed or purchased” she said. Many of those speakers are no longer living and some of the information is available nowhere else. TAGHS also has library shelves full of books and printed genealogical and historical resource material available for research. Computer access for research is provided and the Genealogical Library is staffed with volunteers who are happy to assist researchers.
The Timpson Area Genealogical Society meets at 2PM on the third Wednesday of each month in the meeting room of the Timpson Public Library on the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets in downtown Timpson. The TAGHS library is located within the Timpson Public Library and is open and staffed from 9AM until 5PM weekdays. Telephone 936-254-2966 and ask for the Genealogical Library.
