MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, September 28, 2008 6:55 am

Rutherford County government and the Heritage Partnership of Rutherford County are sponsoring Rutherford County Month in October to promote the heritage and unique sites of Rutherford County to students, new and old residents and visitors.

The month is designed to encourage the community to explore and experience all the things to do and see and discover the county’s unique places and history.

There’re so many events in October, we’ve narrowed them down to the Top 10 (11, because the county is so special) things to see and do in honor of Rutherford County Month.

1. 22nd annual Heritage Days

On Oct. 1-3, the farm will be preparing for winter during this event, which includes demonstrations of food preservation, quilting, spinning, weaving and blacksmithing.      

Sam Davis Home in Smyrna 615-459-2341, or www.samdavishome.org.

2. Halloween events at Oaklands Historic House Museum

Oaklands Historic House Museum holds a variety of historical Halloween themed events during the year’s spookiest month.

Explore Victorian Mourning customs from Oct. 2-31 with Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit and from Oct. 15-Nov. 3 with Headstones, Hearses and Heartaches: A Mourning Customs Exhibit. 

Oaklands also holds Mourning by Candlelight, a tour of Evergreen Cemetery and Oaklands Mansion, and Headstones, Hearses and Heartaches: A Mourning Melodrama, a theatrical one-act play in Maney Hall. Both take place Oct. 24-25 and require reservations. 615-893-0022  www.oaklandsmuseum.org

3. Halloween events at the Sam Davis Home

The Sam Davis Home in Smyrna will be prepared for a funeral with mirrors draped in black cloth and clocks stopped at the time of death during A House in Mourning: Expression of Mourning Customs in the 19th Century from Oct. 8-Nov. 2.

The “Cult of Mourning” was at its peak during 1850-1890. View mourning artifacts and learn the history of this practice to respect and mourn for the deceased.

Tours of the home are also available during Pumpkin Patch Days, which features Halloween games and activities, reading circle and an opportunity to pick your favorite pumpkin.

Oct. 24-25 offers a full weekend of haunted happenings at the Sam Davis Home.

The weekend features Ghost Tours beginning with a haunted hayride of the plantation. Once the hayride comes to a dead stop, enter the historic home to hear tour guides share their own strange experiences from beyond. The tour is not recommended for anyone under the age of 10.

On Saturday Oct. 25, A Frightful Night at the Sam Davis Home will feature a catered dinner, a scary movie and all that is included with our Ghost Tours. First enjoy dinner and a movie before embarking on a haunted hayride of the plantation and guided ghost tours of the Sam Davis Home.  Reservations are required.

4. Eagleville Fall Festival

On Oct. 11 at 9 a.m., the fourth annual Eagleville Fall Festival will be held at the Eagleville City Park on South U.S. 41-in Eagleville at the Eagleville City Park. Good old family fun and food. www.eaglevilletn.com

5. Confederate Infantry Encampment

Join an infantry unit of Confederate Army of Tennessee as they set up a winter camp at Murfreesboro and spend each day honing their martial arts from Oct. 11-12 at the Stones River National Battlefield on Old Nashville Highway. 615.893.9501 www.nps.gov/stri

6. APTA Marking History in Rutherford County

On Oct. 12, the home of Lance Selva on East College Street in Murfreesboro will be the next property to be recognized with one of the recognizable green and black markers from the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. The markers allow the community to know of the importance of these sites for their architecture or historic significance. Open to members and guests. www.hastingshousetn@bellsouth.net

7. Heritage Partnership of Rutherford County Annual Membership Meeting

Mayor Ernest Burgess is the guest speaker for the Heritage Partnerships annual meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Carriage Lane Inn and Reception House on East Burton Street. Burgess will be joined by planning department representative to present an overview for the county’s Comprehensive Plan and how the community can be involved. Space is limited, but all are invited. Parking will be directed for this event. 615.604.0401 www.heritagepartnership.org

8. The Legacy of Stones River: Pathways to Freedom

A symposium featuring lectures and park programs that focuses on emancipation during the Civil War and addresses the official and unofficial actions that led to the demise of slavery in Middle Tennessee and the nation. The event is Oct. 18 at Stones River National Battlefield. Park programs and feature demonstrations by United States Colored Troops.

9. Fortress Rosecrans Encampment

A variety of living history demonstrations will tell the story of soldier and civilians during the Union occupation of Murfreesboro. The event is held Oct. 18-19 at the Stones River National Battlefield.

10. 2008 Rutherford County Month Celebration Ceremony

The Heritage Partnership presents a public celebration of Rutherford County’s 205th anniversary Oct. 24 at the Historic County Courthouse.

The event features “Individuals in History,” theatrical performances showcasing Murfreesboro’s brief stint as state capital from 1818-1826. Other “mystery guests” will be on hand for the crowd to guess their identities and win prizes. Sponsors: Heritage Partnership of Rutherford County and Rutherford County. 615-604-0401  www.heritagepartnership.org

11. 32nd annual Harvest Days and Fiber Festival

Come celebrate the arrival of fall with old-time music, clogging and traditional fiber artists on Oct. 25 at Cannonsburgh Village on South Front Street. Free admission. 615-890-0355.