Dickson County Historical & Genealogical Society

08/11/2026

What an incredible meeting at Ruskin Cave!

Thank you to the more than 120 people who joined the Dickson County Historical & Genealogical Society tonight! We were thrilled by the incredible turnout and the enthusiasm for our local history.

A special thank you to Edward England Jr. for his fascinating presentation on the Ruskin Colony, and to the Jackson Foundation for allowing us to gather in such a historic and memorable setting.

Our next meeting will be Monday, October 12, featuring a program by Dickson County Historian Alan Ragan. The location will be announced closer to the date.

Thank you for making tonight such a tremendous success!

08/10/2026

We are SO EXCITED to see everyone at Ruskin tonight for the 6:00 PM program!

Remember:

🌟 Our guest speaker, Edward England Jr. is a lifelong Dickson County resident and local historian who will share the fascinating story of the Ruskin Colony from its origins, ideals, daily life, finances, and eventual decline.

🚗 Parking & Arrival: Please enter through the front gate and park near the college building. The program will take place at the mouth of the cave, and a golf cart shuttle will be available for anyone needing assistance getting to the cave entrance.

🍲 Waters and light refreshments will be available.

💵 Copies of the Dickson County WWII scrapbook will be available for purchase for $20 (only cash and check accepted) with all proceeds going to the historical society. ALSO if you wish to join the DCHGS as a member, we will have forms available levels include: Single -$25 / Family - $30 / Student - $5 (only cash and check accepted).

Whether you’re a longtime member or simply interested in Dickson County’s rich history, we invite you to join us tonight and bring a friend!

We especially hope to welcome many new faces to the Society and hopefully gain a few new members!!

Admission is FREE, and everyone is welcome!

08/06/2026

📅 Join Us MONDAY at Historic Ruskin Cave!

The Dickson County Historical & Genealogical Society invites YOU to a special evening of local history on Monday, August 10, at 6:00 p.m. at Ruskin Cave (2803 Yellow Creek Rd, Dickson, TN 37055).

🌟 Our guest speaker, Edward England Jr. is a lifelong Dickson County resident and local historian who will share the fascinating story of the Ruskin Colony from its origins, ideals, daily life, finances, and eventual decline.

🚗 Parking & Arrival: Please enter through the front gate and park near the college building. The program will take place at the mouth of the cave, and a golf cart shuttle will be available for anyone needing assistance getting to the cave entrance.

Whether you’re a longtime member or simply interested in Dickson County’s rich history, we invite you to join us and bring a friend! We especially hope to welcome many new faces to the Society and hopefully gain a few new members!!

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!

07/22/2026

Join the Dickson County Historical & Genealogical Society on Monday, August 10, at 6:00 PM for our monthly meeting at Ruskin Cave (2803 Yellow Creek Rd., Dickson, TN 37055).

This program will explore the fascinating history of Ruskin Cave and the Ruskin Colony, the socialist utopian community that settled here in the 1890s and gave the cave its name. Discover the story of one of Dickson County’s most unique and intriguing chapters of history.

This program is free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there for an evening of local history and great fellowship!

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

For 250 years, the American story has been told through communities like Dickson County. Every family, farm, church, school, business, and historic site has helped shape the nation we celebrate today.

Happy America 250!

06/09/2026

Tonight, we were so excited to welcomed a packed house at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum-Hotel Halbrook Historic Site to hear author and researcher Jerry O. Potter present his program on the tragic Sultana disaster.

Often called the deadliest maritime disaster in American history, the explosion and sinking of the steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River in April 1865 claimed the lives of an estimated 1,100 passengers, many of them Union prisoners of war returning home after the Civil War.

Jerry Potter’s extensive research brought this remarkable and heartbreaking story to life, providing our members and guests with new insights into a disaster that deserves to be better known.

We greatly thank Mr. Potter for sharing his knowledge and passion for history, and to everyone who joined us for our June Program.

06/06/2026

The Dickson County Historical & Genealogical Society invites you to join us this Monday, June 8, for an engaging presentation by author and researcher Jerry Potter on the tragic story of the Sultana disaster.

Often called the greatest maritime disaster in American history, the Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River near Memphis in the early morning hours of April 27, 1865. The steamboat, designed to carry approximately 376 passengers, was overcrowded with more than 2,000 people, many of them recently liberated Union prisoners of war returning home following the Civil War. An estimated 1,800 lives were lost in the catastrophe, making it deadlier than the sinking of the Titanic.

Drawing upon years of research, Jerry Potter will explore the causes of the disaster, the stories of those aboard, and the reasons this tragedy has largely faded from public memory despite its enormous loss of life.

The program will be held at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum – Hotel Halbrook State Historic Site and will begin at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone with an interest in history, genealogy, and the Civil War era is encouraged to attend.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Please join us for our 13th annual Memorial Day Service as we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
This special event is open to everyone—all community members, veterans, families, and friends are welcome. Let's come together to remember, reflect, and show our gratitude.
We hope to see you there! Service will be indoors in case of rain.

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

Memorial Day is more than the beginning of summer, it is a reminder of the cost of freedom and the sacrifices made by generations of Americans.

We encourage everyone today to take a moment to reflect, remember, and give thanks.