A new organization formed in Fayette is in the early stages of developing a Howard Country Regional Historical Museum. Its focus will be to preserve and to interpret the area of Howard County, past and present, through relics, artifacts, and audio-visual media with active community engagement.

It will be located in one of Howard County’s oldest homes, the Joseph Shepard/Joseph Davis House, which is reputed to be the oldest brick residence in Fayette, having been built in approximately 1828. The home until recently housed Grey Willow Antiques on South Main Street (originally 208 First Main Street).

The museum will present and interpret objects related to the rich history of the area and will display the collection covering various increments of time, starting roughly in 1823, when Fayette was founded.

The success of the museum will depend greatly on the involvement of a wide spectrum of Howard County residents, including those who agree to join the museum’s board. Members are seeking volunteers to lend their remodeling skills and is seeking support through long-term loans or gifts of Howard County history items as well as financial donations. 

One goal of the museum is to include special African American items in its collection along with loaned and gifted items from the time prior to 1823 up to contemporary times. Special emphasis will be given to items from the times pre-1823 through the end of the 1990s.

Those interested in donating or serving as  volunteers, please contact one of these board members:

Cathy  Thogmorton 

(cthogmor@gmail.com), 

David Holman 

(davidholman48@gmail.com)

Michelle Ishmael 

imajennylady2@gmail.com)

Janell Dimond 

(jedimond06@yahoo.com) 

Tim Jackman 

(tjackman@previsorinsurance.com)

ReginaPowell 

(ginapowell51@gmail.com), 

Lue Lockridge Lane 

(luelockridgelane@yahoo.com)

Mike Jackman 

(michael.jackman1957@yahoo.com)

or Denise Haskamp

(denisehaskamp@gmail.com