So you love Gospel music? So do we... so much, in fact, that we have decided to host a huge Gospel music extravaganza. Announcing... The First Annual Area-wide Gospel Music Singing! This debut event is scheduled to take place this weekend: Saturday, August 15th, to be precise. I produced a flyer that is going all over town, into businesses, institutions, churches, homes...while I'm talking about it, why don't you just take a gander at it, as Grandma used to say..

Several local and regional musical giants are scheduled to perform.. the silky smooth and oh-so-sweet voice of local legend Kenny Evans, the dramatic and soaring reaches of our own Joe Kelly, and the pure high soprano tones of young sweetheart Emily Duggins. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted before, during, and after the event.

Below is a preview of the program, with a partial listing of the stars slated to perform.

This festival promises to be a blessing to all who love Gospel music in all its forms: from the sweet 4 part harmonies of traditional Southern Gospel quartets to the invigorating beats and driving melodies of Contemporary Christian music, there is sure to be plenty for tastes of all genres.

Welcome to another chilling episode in the never-ending series... (cue haunting organ dirge music) presenting.. The Oliver Springs Historical Museum Saga... (music fades, cut to sound of hammers, saws, and gluing sounds)

Gluing sounds? .... Don't know if I could pull that one off.. however, that's just what has been going on up on the Museum project. The good folks at Dixie Roofing in Knoxville have gotten the rubber membrane roofing installed. We had them first put down polyisocyanurate board insulation on the roof before gluing down the rubber membrane. At this writing, the rubber has been glue down, the aluminum coping cap installed, and the whole thing looks mah-velous.

Also some of our folks have been knocking themselves out cleaning up. The inside floor was pressure washed, as were the inside of the brick walls. Care was taken not to damage the fragile mortar. All  in all, it was a superb effort by several members.

We finally got our architectural renderings back from the East Tennessee Community Design Center, and I must say they did a superb job. Tell you what. I'll let you see for yourself.

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The above shows the facade with the canopy restored and the marquee lighting in place. Doesn't it look simply splendid?

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Above you can see the view just inside the grand entrance, which will be set in about 4 feet, creating a portico entrance. We plan to really pull out the stops in this area, seeking to create a ceiling, floor and wall   treatment that promises to be nothing short of stunning. The door at near right will lead into the archives area, which will have its own special appointments. This grand corridor will have abundant space for both floor and wall mounted display space. Plans are to have seasonal ethnic and period displays: quilt festivals, folk craft festivals, etc..   the sky's the limit.

The next doorway to the right leads to the bathrooms, which will of course be spacious and handicapped accessible. In the distance to the right can be seen the entry into the theater. This theater is one of my special loves... Oh, the things we have planned for it! Country and Gospel extravaganzas, Community theater, special movie showings: As I said before, the sky's the limit.

O.K. friends... feast your eyes upon Main Street Oliver Springsabove. In the plans are to recreate the street scenes and building facades of familiar Oliver Springs landmarks. To the left can be seen the ornate staircase leading upstairs to the display areas on the second level. Inside each of the shops will be authentic fixtures and collectibles consistent with the era represented.

So whaddya think? Gorgeous, ain't it? Friends and loved ones, we were not just whistling "Dixie" when we undertook to make this proud old building into the finest museum of its type in this whole area and beyond.

One of the things we have tried to do while the project is carried forward is to decorate the huge display window. We had a patriotic display over the Memorial Day to July 4th span, and got a lot of good comments on that. The good folks of our society have now changed the display into a, "Americana" kitchen, complete with vintage cookstove and sink, various artifacts commensurate with the early 20th century decor we were trying to emulate. I must say it is looking spectacular. Once again pictures are forthcoming.

Here are some pictures of the inside and the work in progress.

The picture above shows some of the second story framing. When complete, this will be utilized for things like display space, archival storage, and office space. Pretty cool, huh?

Now this pic shows what will be one of the coolest features in the whole museum....  the catwalk that will connect features like the projection booth and the second floors front and back. The original catwalk was structurally deficient by 21st century building code, not to mention that it was rotted in several places and in danger of collapse. (I guess I did mention it, didn't I? Oh well..) This catwalk will overlook the great hall in the center of the building that reaches from floor all the way up to the pinnacle of the building! I thought you'd approve...

From the picture above one can see how the grand hall in the middle will extend all the way to the top of the building. This will probably feature tongue and groove hardwood ceiling, lit in a most spectacular and dramatic illuminatory treatment. The framing walls seen in the picture are designed to be loadbearing and capable of supporting all loads above it. The original trusses have been left in place, being both repaired and supported by loadbearing structures, bringing them up to and beyond code.

Here is another picture showing more of the massive framing in place. In many places huge poplar timbers were installed to bear the downward loads: in other places, there are now studwalls that are framed with large framing timbers, many as large as 2"X12" in cross-section.

There is a tremendous amount of work that has gone into the renovation. The roof is now jacked up to its original height, trusses repaired, load bearing walls installed, support beams and timbers in place, years of rot and damage removed. The old canopy in front that was rotted and in danger of collapse has been removed and preparations are underway to replace it as well. We are now ready to start the cosmetic and aesthetic renovations to the proud old structure, which is not nearly as tired, forlorn  and weary as at this time last year.. We just needed a roof. All the "nice nice" on the inside cannot begin in earnest until the roof shed water.

One exciting thing we are endeavoring to do is to obtain work crews from the Morgan County Regional Prison to assist us in this massive project. Many of the inmates on these crews have craft experience, and can greatly help us in furthering the mission of making it the showplace it will be when completed.. All we have to do is supervise them in the work and show basic Christian kindness and virtue in feeding them, providing them with water and drinks. Shucks, our folks do that out of habit anyway. A virtuous lot are they....

I am going to try and take some more pictures of the work in the next couple of days and post it for you, dear reader. Keep checking back for updates.... What's that? We love you, too.... Gosh, I do believe I'm blushing!

                                                            Robbie