Broylesville Archives & Museum (BAM!)
BAM!: Celebrating the Impact of History
BAM!: Celebrating the Impact of History
Who We Are
Our Mission
The Broylesville Archives & Museum (BAM!) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is up and running behind the scenes. The physical building will open in May 2020 after we have completed some stabilization work and renovations. BAM! was formed to fulfill two equally important missions.
The first is to research, collect, archive and preserve the history of Broylesville. A welcoming space will be provided, free to the public, so that others can learn about Broylesville and the mill as well as conduct their own research with the use of free public WiFi. An online resource will be available for those unable to visit in person.
Our second mission is to restore and preserve the Broyles, Bashor and Bennett Mill (3B Mill) for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations. We hope the Mill will become a community gathering place to learn about history, listen to good music, enjoy local art and appreciate nature. Eventually the land and the Mill will be placed in a trust to protect it from development and to ensure that this historic building and the natural setting are preserved.
The Broylesville Historic District
The Broylesville Historic District was accepted into the National Registry of Historic Places in 1985. According to their website, "The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources." The Broylesville Historic District document lists ten properties. Seven of the buildings are pictured below. The Broylesville Inn was lost to fire in 2004. Photographs still to be added are the Ira Green House and the Taylor Auto Repair (non-historic) and the Garst House. The seventh photograph is The Adam Alexander Broyles House. It is just north of the Broylesville Historic District and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2011. It is part of the rich history of Broylesville.
To view the National Registry of Historic Places for Broylesville Historic District, please click on the link.
There is more information about BAM! below the photographs.
Our Mission
The Broylesville Archives & Museum (BAM!) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is up and running behind the scenes. The physical building will open in May 2020 after we have completed some stabilization work and renovations. BAM! was formed to fulfill two equally important missions.
The first is to research, collect, archive and preserve the history of Broylesville. A welcoming space will be provided, free to the public, so that others can learn about Broylesville and the mill as well as conduct their own research with the use of free public WiFi. An online resource will be available for those unable to visit in person.
Our second mission is to restore and preserve the Broyles, Bashor and Bennett Mill (3B Mill) for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations. We hope the Mill will become a community gathering place to learn about history, listen to good music, enjoy local art and appreciate nature. Eventually the land and the Mill will be placed in a trust to protect it from development and to ensure that this historic building and the natural setting are preserved.
The Broylesville Historic District
The Broylesville Historic District was accepted into the National Registry of Historic Places in 1985. According to their website, "The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources." The Broylesville Historic District document lists ten properties. Seven of the buildings are pictured below. The Broylesville Inn was lost to fire in 2004. Photographs still to be added are the Ira Green House and the Taylor Auto Repair (non-historic) and the Garst House. The seventh photograph is The Adam Alexander Broyles House. It is just north of the Broylesville Historic District and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2011. It is part of the rich history of Broylesville.
To view the National Registry of Historic Places for Broylesville Historic District, please click on the link.
There is more information about BAM! below the photographs.
Our Pledge
To be honest, transparent and hard-working stewards of the history of Broylesville and the preservation of the mill.
Our Philosophy
Sharing Knowledge
If you've written a book, let us know so we can consider purchasing a copy for our library.
If you're giving a lecture on Broylesville, we'll be happy to spread the word by posting the information online. Please email us with the details.
We love the idea of shared information. The more accurate information is circulated, the larger the scope of public knowledge. The more awareness, the less likely it is to get lost with time and the more likely others will work to preserve it. If you would like to add your research to ours, we'll make it available to the public free of charge. Please send it to our email address along with your sources. The key for us is "accuracy." There is much erroneous genealogy and history out there. In the excitement of discovery, sometimes citing takes a back seat. We don't want to add to the confusion. If you don't have sources, please send the information anyway and we'll see what sources we can locate. Your work will be copied and housed in the library. You will be credited.
Let's grow the history of Broylesville together.
Our Vision and Future Growth
The Erlene Ledford Archives and Library
The archive and library portion of our building is named in honor of Erlene Lawrence Hoover Ledford who, along with Faith Ledford, saved the mill in 1982. The mill was slated to be torn down so that the wood and brick could be harvested. We are grateful to her for the preservation of this historically significant building.
The archives and library will have dedicated space for each family who has lived in Broylesville since its settlement. Space will also be dedicated to such topics as the historic buildings of Broylesville, photographs, oral histories, newspaper articles, memorabilia, letters, diaries/journals, maps, books, manuscripts, genealogical research, reunion newsletters, personal or family papers, government or military papers, and published materials.
Broylesville artifacts will be on display and the library will contain books dealing with local history as well as general topic books by local authors.
The Mill & Museum
Dreams are meant to be big and ours is. We took our first step by hiring mill expert, John Lovett. He helped us understand the original and subsequent layouts of the mill. We learned much about mill history, equipment and tools. John and his wife own Falls Mill. He has a PhD in Industrial Engineering and was a university teacher. John is on the Board of Directors of the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) and has been a member for 34 years. He is the Miller Training Coordinator and instructor with SPOOM.
Our next step is to locate photographs or documents which will add to what we have discovered so far. The oldest photograph we have is undated but shows the exterior of the mill with a flume which no longer exists. From an old newspaper article, we read that the first turbine wasn't in place until sometime after 1919. We finally were able to see the mill dam, upstream on a neighbor's property.
To be honest, transparent and hard-working stewards of the history of Broylesville and the preservation of the mill.
Our Philosophy
Sharing Knowledge
If you've written a book, let us know so we can consider purchasing a copy for our library.
If you're giving a lecture on Broylesville, we'll be happy to spread the word by posting the information online. Please email us with the details.
We love the idea of shared information. The more accurate information is circulated, the larger the scope of public knowledge. The more awareness, the less likely it is to get lost with time and the more likely others will work to preserve it. If you would like to add your research to ours, we'll make it available to the public free of charge. Please send it to our email address along with your sources. The key for us is "accuracy." There is much erroneous genealogy and history out there. In the excitement of discovery, sometimes citing takes a back seat. We don't want to add to the confusion. If you don't have sources, please send the information anyway and we'll see what sources we can locate. Your work will be copied and housed in the library. You will be credited.
Let's grow the history of Broylesville together.
Our Vision and Future Growth
The Erlene Ledford Archives and Library
The archive and library portion of our building is named in honor of Erlene Lawrence Hoover Ledford who, along with Faith Ledford, saved the mill in 1982. The mill was slated to be torn down so that the wood and brick could be harvested. We are grateful to her for the preservation of this historically significant building.
The archives and library will have dedicated space for each family who has lived in Broylesville since its settlement. Space will also be dedicated to such topics as the historic buildings of Broylesville, photographs, oral histories, newspaper articles, memorabilia, letters, diaries/journals, maps, books, manuscripts, genealogical research, reunion newsletters, personal or family papers, government or military papers, and published materials.
Broylesville artifacts will be on display and the library will contain books dealing with local history as well as general topic books by local authors.
The Mill & Museum
Dreams are meant to be big and ours is. We took our first step by hiring mill expert, John Lovett. He helped us understand the original and subsequent layouts of the mill. We learned much about mill history, equipment and tools. John and his wife own Falls Mill. He has a PhD in Industrial Engineering and was a university teacher. John is on the Board of Directors of the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) and has been a member for 34 years. He is the Miller Training Coordinator and instructor with SPOOM.
Our next step is to locate photographs or documents which will add to what we have discovered so far. The oldest photograph we have is undated but shows the exterior of the mill with a flume which no longer exists. From an old newspaper article, we read that the first turbine wasn't in place until sometime after 1919. We finally were able to see the mill dam, upstream on a neighbor's property.
If you have any information or photographs that will help us in this venture, we would be very grateful.
Once enough information is gathered we will determine the feasibility of either restoring the mill to working order or setting up a visual representation of what was once here. The mill will also house an exhibition area containing mill artifacts and memorabilia.
Artist Made Furnishing & Local Tradesmen
As artists, we believe in supporting the local arts and hiring local crafts and tradesmen and hiring local musicians for our events.
The Grounds
The historic Broyles, Bashor & Bennett Mill is set on over a half acre of wooded land on Little Limestone Creek. It is a peaceful place to relax, read a book or enjoy nature. Our goal is to have two custom made benches and two small tables placed by the creek for the public.
The Tennessee Tiny
A small guest house will be built for those wishing more tranquility and privacy than just a day at BAM! It will be simple and rustic with just enough artist made furnishings. A perfect place for a get away or an artist's or writer's retreat.
The Erlene Ledford Archives and Library as well as the mill and grounds will be a site for special events pertaining to the history of Broylesville. All our events will be open free to the general public.
Once enough information is gathered we will determine the feasibility of either restoring the mill to working order or setting up a visual representation of what was once here. The mill will also house an exhibition area containing mill artifacts and memorabilia.
Artist Made Furnishing & Local Tradesmen
As artists, we believe in supporting the local arts and hiring local crafts and tradesmen and hiring local musicians for our events.
The Grounds
The historic Broyles, Bashor & Bennett Mill is set on over a half acre of wooded land on Little Limestone Creek. It is a peaceful place to relax, read a book or enjoy nature. Our goal is to have two custom made benches and two small tables placed by the creek for the public.
The Tennessee Tiny
A small guest house will be built for those wishing more tranquility and privacy than just a day at BAM! It will be simple and rustic with just enough artist made furnishings. A perfect place for a get away or an artist's or writer's retreat.
The Erlene Ledford Archives and Library as well as the mill and grounds will be a site for special events pertaining to the history of Broylesville. All our events will be open free to the general public.