History is important for all of us to learn, but no one knows that better than local historian Chris Keathley.  

Keathley and his friend Monty Wanamaker opened the Southern Museum & Galleries of Photography, Culture & History in 2001 located in downtown McMinnville to preserve the history of the county. Since the passing of Wanamaker in 2018, many projects that he and Keathley had planned went unfinished. 

One project included a historical and genealogical journal of Warren County.

This motivated Keathley to create his newest journal. “Southern Museum & Galleries’ Journal of Warren County, Tennessee History & Genealogy” is a collection of articles and stories showing a small part of the history in McMinnville. 

The book was edited by Keathley and he said, “It gives you glimpse of what life was like 100 years ago.” It explores articles from the 1920s, memorials, and an article on a Civil War cannon. Keathley and Wanamaker together and separately have written and edited many books about Warren County’s history which are all available for purchase at the museum. The museum’s journal is just the first of hopefully many journals released each year. The next one is supposed to be released in the spring of 2021.

Keathley used to be the editor of the Warren County, Tennessee Genealogical & Historical Association Bulletin resigning after the release of the 29th volume in 2020. Keathley has a long history with Warren County himself. He is related to Aaron Higgenbotham who discovered Higgenbotham Cave, which is now known as Cumberland Caverns.

“Southern Museum & Galleries’ Journal of Warren County, Tennessee History & Genealogy” is available for purchase at the Southern Museum & Galleries of Photography, Culture & History, Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens, and The Vintage Market. 

Keathley has dedicated a lot of his time to this project saying, “It’s unique for sure. It’s a preservation of Warren County.” 

It’s not only a historical journal, but a dedication to Monty Wanamaker who also had a passion for history.