“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep to know our heritage…Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning no matter what our attainments in life.”   – Alex Haley Look around you…Can you guess what everyone’s heritage?  German, Italian, Korean, Nicaraguan, Australian, Russian, Brazilian, Islamic?  The United States is a unique place to live, because of everyone’s different backgrounds. Almost 40 years ago, an author wrote a novel about the research of his heritage, one that wasn’t…

At 495 Tennessee Street, in what is known as  the newly revitalized South Main in downtown Memphis, sits a 19th century Romanesque factory building.  Dilapidated from the outside, inside holds a secret treasure. This diamond in the rough, has revitalized itself into one of the most exciting and unique beer gardens.  In this factory building known as the Tennessee Brewery, at one point brewed up to 250,000 barrels of Goldcrest 51 beer at the turn of the 20th century From…

A Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemoration will be held at Fort Pillow on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Heritage Tours will lead a bus tour to this historic site as a part of the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Observance. Activities will include lectures, walking tours, living history, encampments and public displays throughout the day. “Remember Fort Pillow! Remember Fort Pillow!” Such was the rallying cry of the Civil War United States Colored Troops (USTC) as they charged into battle after hundreds…

Historic Town Squares in two West Tennessee communities experienced an increased number of visitors last month. Every Tuesday in February, Heritage Tours, along with the Memphis Area Association of Governments (MAAG), hosted the West Tennessee Heritage and “Roots” Day Trippin’ Bus Tour. The first ten seats booked on each tour were free, thanks to a grant from the Tennessee Department of Tourism. Nearly one-hundred individuals including elected officials, members of civic and senior groups, students, and church groups joined the…