Shelby County Historical Commission

Shelby County Historical Commission Members of the Historical Commission serve four-year terms and are appointed by the Shelby County ma

The Commission works on behalf of historical awareness, preservation and education. Some of the duties include:

-Reviewing and approving requests for historical markers

-Maintaining a reference book on all historical markers in the county

-Directing media and public attention to historic preservation issues

-Recognizing with awards area high school and college historical scholars

-Recognizing

area historical authors and literary works

-Offering guest speakers to community organizations

-Participating in relevant historical commemorative events

-Interacting with schools and historic preservation groups in furtherance of these goals

-Applying for, managing, and assisting with grants from groups and foundations for historic purposes

Our own Emmi Dunn will be speaking at the Bartlett Historical Society’s upcoming meeting.
04/27/2026

Our own Emmi Dunn will be speaking at the Bartlett Historical Society’s upcoming meeting.

- Bartlett Historical Society Meeting -

Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:15pm

The meeting will be held at the Bartlett Senior Center (5727 Woodlawn St)

Our May 11, 2026, Bartlett Historical Society Speaker will be Ms. Emmi Dunn. Ms. Dunn is known as a regionally recognized expert on the history of the Chinese people in the Mid-South.

Ms. Dunn was born in the Mississippi Delta and has a long list of achievements including Co-founder of the Chinese Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South. Ms. Dunn's speech will be titled "How the Chinese arrived in the South."

Many students of history have heard of the Chinese being involved in the California Gold Rush, the transcontinental Railroad and other major events in early American History. Did you know that the Chinese have been in the Mid-South for almost 150 years? In the late 1800's, the railroad network across America was still being expanded throughout the South and Texas. Some of those Chinese eventually settled in the greater Memphis area.

Ms. Dunn will explain more of the personal stories involved and will share her joy of promoting local Chinese history.

Save the date- Monday, June 8, 2026, will be the next meeting

A wonderful story about one of our own.
10/07/2025

A wonderful story about one of our own.

Join us on Wednesday for this week’s Munch and Learn with local art historian and co-founder and Secretary of the Chinese Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South, Emerald “Emmi” Dunn. Listen to Dunn’s lecture, “Invisible for 150 Years: History of the Chinese in Memphis,” and learn the compelling history of Chinese immigrants in the South.

That’s this Wednesday, October 8, at noon. Admission is .

Join Shelby County Genealogist Teresa Hill Mays for an exciting series of genealogy classes designed to help you uncover...
07/02/2025

Join Shelby County Genealogist Teresa Hill Mays for an exciting series of genealogy classes designed to help you uncover your African American family history.

With decades of research experience and a passion for storytelling through history, Teresa brings genealogy to life in a way that's both informative and inspiring. Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the best!

Address

960 Nixon Drive
Memphis, TN
38134

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