02/24/2026
Dr. Howard Winn – In Memoriam
The passing of Dr. Thomas Howard Winn, a noted Clarksville Historian and Professor Emeritus of History at Austin Peay State University, is a great loss to our community. He truly loved and supported Clarksville throughout his life.
A Lifetime member of our Historical Society, Dr. Winn promoted and supported the accomplishment of designated Historic Zoning Districts, now also known as Historic Overlays, through the Society’s Historic Preservation Committee. Those districts, established in the late 1980s, offer the only protection for structures of fine architecture and local history that are in effect today. Other areas identified at that time as future candidates needing protection, sadly, remain without it.
Dr. Winn was the founder of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Historical Museum, later named Customs House Museum, and an initiator of Flying High, its longstanding premier fundraiser. He was appointed by both the City Mayor and County Executive to develop the museum and was elected by the Museum board to serve two terms as its Chair.
Dr. Winn was the chairman for developing Fort Defiance Historical Site and Preservation Center. His efforts were pivotal in achieving the recognition that the site warranted and its preservation. When the site was so overgrown that few might see its potential, Howard Winn, APSU history professor Dr. Richard Gildrie, and friends spent 2 ½ months clearing the area before the City sent a crew to work on it.
He served as Chairman of Main Street Clarksville. Alongside artist Peg Harvill, he worked hard to save APSU's Harned Hall from Demolition. Dr. Winn co-authored A History of Austin Peay State University, 1806-2001, researched and wrote chapters in Historic Clarksville: The Bicentennial Story, and coauthored Clarksville Tennessee in the Civil War: A Chronology.
In conjunction with APSU geology professor Dr. Philip Kemmerly, he worked on the problem of erosion undermining areas of Riverside Drive up to 3 ft/year. That resulted in a River Bank Stabilization Project that extended from the railroad bridge to the Red River Mounds. Dr. Winn played a large role in the Work on the River Exhibit (River Flows) and was also involved in developing the Heritage Tours and Civil War Signage and Tours.
The large number of friends who admire and respect both the man and his work is a great testament to Dr. Winn’s character and his many talents. He is recognized as one who set high goals for achievements, but not for self-promotion or prestige. He had a keen eye for recognizing abilities in others and helping them be in a position to succeed. He found interested people and helped them organize. He never gave an order. He worked through consultation, extensive discussion, compromise, and always accepted absolute equality of persons.
Dr. Winn wrote this before his passing…
I wish to be remembered above all for my love and devotion for my beloved wife, Patricia
For my love for our daughter, Merry
My efforts to preserve and protect the heritage of the Clarksville-Montgomery Co. community.
My service as a History Professor on the faculty of APSU from 1971-2003
My efforts to promote the idea of citizenship and mutual responsibility in an honest democratic society with true accountability.
One option he and his family have requested in lieu of flowers is a contribution for historic preservation to the Montgomery County Historical Society at PO Box 262, Clarksville, TN 37031-0262.
