Only a year ago events began taking place that would lead to a celebration of the restoration of Doe Creek School, a one-room schoolhouse & church. One might consider them coincidental, happenstance, or even providential. Skeptics would have surely said restoration of building almost a century and a half old, in a remot rural area, would not generate enough interest or be too great an undertaking for a small rural community. "The important and historic restoration of the Doe Creek Schoolhouse is, it could be said, a result of a collaborative rural heritage project - which is very true. State differently, it also could be said that when everyone pulls the same cart at the same time that miracles can and do happen. Due to the joint efforts of a lot of folks and entities, this schoolhouse has now been wonderfully restored to its original character. Accoringly, a modern day miracle has occurred....
" I am personally and historically thrilled at what has occurred here at Doe Creek... history has been preserved.", Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David S. Kennedy speaking at the dedication.

It began with the request from Doe Creek resident, Freddie Kennedy (Photo to the right - Freddie Kennedy and grandaughter Alexis Montomgery putting in place the final touch to the restoration - hanging a picture of Mr. Elmer Duck) , who was seeking help from Decatur County Veterans Service Officer Jerry Taylor to secure assistance in providing grave stones marking the graves of two American soldiers. The soldiers were twins Lester and Floyd Kennedy who died only 11 days apart during WW 1. Ironically the markers were placed on the graves one year to the day prior to the July 15, 2007 celebrations/dedications.

After the stones were set in place, Freddie's son Phillip asked Taylor about the possibility of restoring the old church/school and it being placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Although this was not among Taylor's (Jerry Taylor on the left talking with the Honor Guard and Gen. Dan Wood), job description as veterans service officer, as a man who rarely says no to someone asking for help, turned to another public servant, Rep. Steve McDaniel, who also is eager to help - especially if it involves preserving Civil War history. McDaniel got the ball rolling at a faster rate by contacting Dr. Carroll Van West at Middle Tennessee State University. Shortly thereafter, Preservation Specialst, Michael Thomas Gavin , from the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area at MTSU, conducted an assessment and made recommendations for restoration.

Restoration included the complete dismantling of the entire structure, marking and numbering each piece to ensure that in the reconstruction process, every piece went into its proper place. Only the timbers that were deteriorated too severely to be used were replaced with new lumber. The original cost estimate was $93,000 if a professional restoration company were to do all the work and furnish material. The assessment, however, acknowledged that significant cost savings were possible with "significant" community involvement. Community involvement went far beyond significant and may have surpassed the definition of incredible. The list of donors included individuals, businesses and organizations.

The committee members consisting of Chairman Freddie Kennedy, Secretary/Treasurer Wayne Stanfill, Carey Johnson, Bill Snider, Joe White, Sue Maness, Norma Jones, Betty Gurley Hughes and Liaison Jerry Taylor, not only planned, organized, and made decision, but also physically worked on the project. CCA from Clifton provided much of the labor force saving thousands of dollars. Although the school is not inside the city limits of Scotts Hill, early on, Mayor Carey Johnson and Board of Aldermen, recognizing the importance of preserving history, adopted a resolution supporting the project.

U.S. District Judge James Todd, shown here with his mother Mrs.Jeanette (Duck) Todd, the grandson of the Doe Creek School master, Elmer Duck, speaking to the crowd of over 300 people attending the celebration pointed out the importance of preserving history. "Preservation and restoration of old buildings is a noble undertaking. The pace of modern life and the desire for new and larger buildings have often caused us to overlook treasures in our own neighborhood." Judge Todd continued, "Buildings such as this tells us far more about these people than we can learn from history books. This building tells us that our ancestors valued education and religion. The first think that the settlers of this area did after building their homes and clearing their land, was to build this remarkable building which became the center of their lives."

This was truly a collaborative effort of a host of individuals, business' and organizations who gave their time and resources in an outstanding display of community pride and dedication. Even the program that listed several pages of donors was theproduct of donated labor and material provided by Jamie and Athalia Taylor and Renae Swift.

On the left - State Representative Steve McDaniel, a Civil War history buff himself,

On the right - Del Medlin singing "God Bless the U.S.A." The crowd responding with a standing ovation

Broadway brothers, Loys, Jerry and Cloys, who attended this school, reminiscing while waiting in line to register.

Steve Turner of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans of the Akin Newman Camp directing the firing of a Civil War cannon. The cannon was provided by Representative Steve McDaniel who uses the cannon in the annual Civil War Re-enactment at Parker's Crossroads. Steve Turner dressed in the uniform of a Civil War Confederate Soldier gave a very moving talk that brought tears to most eyes. It was 95-100 degrees and no shade to be found. He opened his talk with "There aint' nobody out here hotter than me"... and that was the truth.