Benton County Genealogical Society and History

The BCGS meets every 4th Thursday at the Benton County Library (Tennessee Room) beginning at 6:30PM. Twelve Benton County residents met in Camden on April 3, 1986 to discuss the possibility of forming a Benton County Historical Society. The group felt there was much of historical interest in Benton County and an organized historical society would be an ideal vehicle to gather such facts together. This organization’s primary purpose would be the study and preservation of Benton County history in general. Those present at the first meeting were: Mr. Floyd Robins, Mr. Faye Cain, Mr. Ernest J. Sims, Mrs. Marie Phifer, Miss Mavis Jones, Mr. Elton Hatley, Mrs. Christine Palmer and Mr. Guy Wilkerson. A Board of Directors and officers were elected. The Board of Directors were: Faye Cain, John C. Brown, Floyd Robins, Christine Palmer and Joan Hatley. The Officers were: Joan Hatley, Chairperson and Editor; Faye Cain, Vice-Chairperson and Asst. Editor; Frances Sims, Secretary; Mavis Jones, Treasurer; and Floyd Robins Publicity Chairman. The Board and Officers were to prepare a constitution for the organization and present it at the May meeting to the membership for approval. On May 8, 1986 the organization’s constitution was approved. An application to the State of Tennessee for a charter was submitted at which time it was discovered a defunct organization existed with the name Benton County Historical Society. The membership voted to use the name Benton County Genealogical Society and received its charter in July 1986.