Bon Air Mountain History Fair takes on a new spin this year

Mike Henry is shown at one the Bon Air Mountain Historical Society’s annual History Fairs several years ago, serving ice cream. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic last year and renovations to BonDeCroft Elementary this year, the History Fair will be somewhat different.

 The Bon Air Mountain Historical Society’s annual History Fair is back with a new look.

“For the past two years, we have been unable to host our annual History Fair due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 virus,” Linda Mackie said. “And this year, we are going to have to bring it back with a scaled down version of our event.”

The History Fair is usually held at BonDeCroft Elementary School, on Bon Air Mountain, and consists of community members and neighbors bringing photographs, artifacts, and stories from the coal mining days to the school and setting up displays. Neighbors spend the day visiting and reminiscing. Newcomers or history buffs have the opportunity to listen to the stories of previous generations and life on the mountain.

However, this year, BonDeCroft Elementary School will be undergoing renovations, making the facility off limits for the early summer months.

“We will have a History Bus Tour around the Bon Air community this year,” Mackie said and emphasized the Bon Air Mountain Historical Society didn’t want any more years to pass without celebrating the rich history of the mountain community. “The tour will include coal mining history, Camp Bell Aire, and the Vanderbilt School of Engineering camp among other things.”

The bus tours will begin at BonDeCroft Baptist Church, at 8545 Crossville Highway, and will depart at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m., on Saturday, May 7.

“We will have limited seating, so we are asking that everyone make reservations ahead of time to ensure that they have a seat on one of the tours,” Mackie said, adding that the cost of the tours is donation only.

To reserve a seat, or seats, on one of the tours, individuals can call (931) 739-2904 and leave a message with their name, the number of seats they need, and which tour time they will be attending. Reservations can also be made by direct messaging Linda Mackie via Facebook Messenger.

In addition to the bus tours, a food truck, 4 Heifers and a Pig, will be at the church so that community members can eat and socialize and reminisce.

“I hope that people will come by and grab lunch and talk with each other, even if they don’t take a bus tour,” Mackie said.

More information and updates are available on the Bon Air Mountain Historical Society’s Facebook page or by contacting one of the following members: Dakota White (931) 212-8496, Carolyn Holland (931) 316-7305, Tonya Tindle (931) 212-4281, or Linda Mackie (931) 260-3659.