'Readyville Mill' earns APTA historic marker on The Murfreesboro Post

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'Readyville Mill' earns APTA historic marker

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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 10:49 am

'Readyville Mill' earns APTA historic marker | HERITAGE

Unveiling the marker are: Thea Prince, Tomm Brady, Lynn Oswald; 4th great granddaughter of Charles Ready, Charles Oswald, husband, and Mimi and Jim Genet, present owners of Charles Ready's home "The Corners"

The recognizable green APTA historical marker was unveiled for the Readyville Mill at the Rutherford County Chapter annual membership meeting of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA).

The original mill was built in 1812 by Charles Ready and the mill property and buildings are being restored by current owners Martha and Tomm Brady of Bell Buckle.

Charles Ready was an early settler of Rutherford County and founder of Readyville, a community located on Stones River and joining the Rutherford and Cannon County lines.   The mill building is in Cannon County, its marking was an opportunity to further the APTA outreach program to encourage other counties, where there are no APTA chapters, to identify their historic properties.

Mr. Brady was on hand to give tours of the property and answer questions. A wonderful country dinner, catered by the Sisters from Cannon County was served in the converted granary and ice house. Members and guests were entertained by the Coleman Scouts, a musical group organized by APTA member, John Bridges. Shirley Jones, avid Ready family researcher and historian gave a history of the family followed by a short meeting to elect and install the new officers and board. Guests of the APTA for this marking included Jim and Mimi Genet, the current owners of the Charles Ready’s home and Lynn and Mike Oswald, descendents of Charles and cousins and friends of the family.

The Rutherford County board members will serve for two years and are President, Jane Blakey; Vice President, Denise Carlton; Secretary, Michael Graves; Treasurer, Sara Bell; Past President, Steve Cates; Board Members: Nollie Jenne, Jimmy Ridley, Joy Hord, David Belsky and Ed Alexander.

The Rutherford County Chapter of APTA was chartered on April 2, 1952.   The intent of the group is to “identify and recognize the many historic homes and churches within the city and county, by placing markers stating their historic importance, thus creating an awareness of and promote an appreciation for, their preservation”.   Sites of historic homes no longer in existence can be included. Since 1952, more than 150 markers have been placed at various places throughout the county. Criteria for marking includes the significance to county history, integrity of location, design, architecture, and culture and that are at least 75 years of age.

The state APTA formed in 1951, and is the oldest preservation organization in the Tennessee. Members of the state APTA gathered in May at Belle Meade Mansion for their annual membership meeting. At this gathering, Shirley Jones from Rutherford County was installed as the state APTA Vice President for the Middle Tennessee Region, which includes Rutherford and Davidson counties.   Steve Cates of our local chapter became state APTA Vice President. Starting in 2008, the state APTA will “mark” a minimum of six historic homes or buildings throughout the state of Tennessee. Selected sites will be featured on the state APTA website.   Applications for these state markings must be submitted by March 15th each year.

In Rutherford County, the next marking will the Hollowell Hudson Selva Home, built in 1836 and located at 343 East College Street. The unveiling of the marker will occur at 2 pm on Oct 12, 2008 and Lance Selva, owner will host a tour and reception. Members and their guests are invited. If you are not a member, please consider joining.   The annual dues are $20 and include local and state APTA membership and admission to the 15 sites across Tennessee managed by the APTA.

To join the APTA, or to nominate a property for recognition, or to receive information on upcoming markings, interested persons should contact Jane Blakey at or email hastingshousetn@bellsouth.net. The state APTA website is www.theapta.org

Tagged under HERITAGE

Member Opinions:

By: appdancer on 7/28/08
Tomm Brady is to be highly commended for his work on the mill. It was a great night for APTA and preservation. One hundred persons attended. Most especially it was good to see Thea Prince and others from the area who worked for years to help preserve the mill before Tomm took over.

steve cates