Wayne County Welcome Center Receives New Historical Artifact

Collinwood, TN – The Wayne County Welcome Center in Collinwood at mile 355 off the Natchez Trace Parkway houses a small museum area which attracts much attention from our many visitors.

Recently a presentation was made to add to our collection.  It is a large section of the paddle from the old paddle boat “Mississippi Queen” out of Natchez, Mississippi.  This piece of history is authenticated, labeled and a brief story accompanies this item.  The way it was acquired by the donor is a story in itself.

John Mulvaney the son of Bonnie Jennings (Miss Hazel Bea’s Sweets and Treats) in Collinwood was in a small town in New Jersey Scransberry Coup, near Andover.  While he was browsing an antique mall he spotted – in a mirror – the word Natchez.  Knowing his mother’s new business was near the Natchez Trace Parkway, he stopped and looked!  After a call to his mother Bonnie, he was instructed to “buy it” and buy it he did.

Pictured here is John presenting the item to Dorothye McGrath, Welcome Center Coordinator.   Photo taken by Allen Berry who is the Chair of the Museum Committee for the Welcome Center.  Allen is as excited as we all are to have this wonderful bit of history in our midst.

Thank you John, Bonnie and Miss Hazel Bea’s Sweets and Treats for this thoughtful donation.  It will be well cared for in our museum area and will delight our many visitors.