Historical society to meet on Sunday, May 19

The location of the upcoming bimonthly meeting of the Rhea County Historical Society will be at the historic Rhea County Courthouse. The meeting will be held on Sunday, May 19, in the second floor courtroom and will begin at 2:30 p.m.

The afternoon’s program will feature local author, historian, and educator, Tyler L. Boyd, from Athens, Tenn. He works for McMinn County Schools. He serves as president of the McMinn County Historical Society, secretary of the McMinn County Library Board, Programs Committee member at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, and a member of the Athens Historic Preservation Commission. He was recently appointed as the McMinn County Archivist.

His first book, Tennessee Statesman Harry T. Burn, won several awards, including the East Tennessee Historical Society’s Award of Distinction. His second book, Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist, published last year and won the Project Excellence Award from the East Tennessee Historical Society. On Sunday, he will be discussing his newest book, The Biggs Machine: Old Time Politics in Polk County, Tennessee, which is, in a lot of ways, a sequel to the Battle of Athens.

All members and interested persons are encouraged to attend the meeting.