Top Row - Wartrace Mayor Ron Stacy, Paul Cross, Nancy Edwards, Tamara Kasser, Bonnie Delk, Celebration CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows. Sitting - President of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum Committee Phillip Gentry and Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Chairman Henry Hulan.

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® selected Wartrace to receive artifacts of the Tennessee Walking Horse Museum previously located in Lynchburg.  A group of individuals from the Wartrace area, known as the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum Committee, plan to take possession of the new museum building located on the square in Wartrace in mid-September and open to the public as quickly as possible.  Doyle Meadows, Celebration CEO said “We are happy that Wartrace wanted to preserve the history and heritage of the breed and industry and open the museum in Bedford County.  These Wartrace individuals have worked extremely hard to promote the museum’s move to Wartrace and we wish them tremendous success.”

Phillip Gentry, local business leader and President of the newly formed organization made the following statement:

“First I would like to say thanks to The Celebration® for placing their confidence in this group of individuals. Everyone knows that Wartrace has always been known as the “Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse,” and this decision by The Celebration® is truly a monumental occasion for the community of Wartrace.  We are honored that The Celebration® has made this decision and look forward to making the museum a showcase for the Tennessee Walking Horse, the Walking Horse Industry and the families and individuals that deserve their rightful place in the history of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
 
It has taken several months and a hard working group of individuals from a very diverse background to get us here today, and we are very thankful for their perseverance and willingness to make this day come true.
 
We are very anxious to get things moving forward and open the doors to the public as soon as we can. We have a lot of hard work in front of us to make that happen. Right now we are going to concentrate on having a presence at the Wartrace horse show and the National Celebration in August.
 
Again, thank you to The Celebration® and the hard working team that made this a reality for everyone involved.”

Other officers of the group include Tamara Gavin Kasser, Vice President; Bonnie Delk, Secretary; Lynn Hulan, Treasurer and Paul Cross, Member at Large.