Pictured during 2012 exhibit debut with my grandmother's 1960's uniforms
Pictured in 2017 donating my Daisy smock (2005) and Brownie vest (2007)
Beginning as a project to compile my family's Girl Scout memorabilia and uniforms, I quickly found several community members had stories and Girl Scout lore they wanted to share as well. This was the catalyst that sparked an idea to create an exhibit for the local museum in my hometown of Fayetteville, Tennessee.
I then designed, submitted, and presented a project proposal to the Lincoln County Museum of Directors before being granted permission to procure artifacts from the nearby scouting community.
With guidance from archivists affiliated with the Middle TN Girl Scouts' historic collection who generously facilitated a temporary exhibit of archival pieces for the exhibit's grand opening ceremony, and with much support from my Girl Scout alumnus grandmother, Cyndee, I collected and cataloged artifacts and stories from numerous Girl Scout alumni across several Middle Tennessee counties.
Debuting during the historic 100th year of Girl Scouting, this exhibit has been on continuous display since 2012 and has since been rearranged as needed to fit new donations and to allow more room for surrounding displays.
In 2017, I donated my own Daisy smock and Brownie vest, now proudly displayed alongside the uniforms of my mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-aunt.
Elk Valley Times clipping detailing the exhibit's grand opening which both the city and county mayors attended and officiated.
The exhibit as it stands today; photo curtesy of the Lincoln County Museum website.