By GLENDA CAUDLE
Special Features Editor
Liberty Hall will celebrate the nation’s history, with a particular eye on some Volunteer State “giants” such as Congressman and war hero David Crockett and on local public servants like the late Congressman Robert A. “Fats” Everett and former Representative John Tanner.
The Congressional effects of the two more recent elected officials — Everett and Tanner — will be featured in two rooms in the stately building on the grounds of Discovery Park of America when it opens on Union City ‘s northwest side later this year.
Crockett will also have his share of attention in Liberty Hall and he will be revealed as much more than a Disney-inspired hero. Crockett, the man and the myth, will be the theme for a room devoted to telling the story of a figure who once lived in this area and served the people of West Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. A storyteller of some repute, Crockett’s adventures hunting wildlife, including bear, on America’s frontier at the time — and Obion and Gibson counties qualified for that designation — and his war stories gleaned from fighting the Indians in the Creek War, plus stories of life lived for many days floating down the Mighty Mississippi will all be explored.
“Crockett was an entertaining man who was also very controversial,” explains a DPA spokesman. “His room in Liberty Hall will compare the myth to the man.”
The 1776 Room will function as an art gallery whose focus will be important historical events that occurred around the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and during the Revolutionary War.
Visitors will enter Liberty Hall through the rotunda and will immediately be transported back in time by means of an eye-catching display built around a life-sized replica of the Liberty Bell that was put in place a few months ago. It awaits visitors in an area that will also feature several flags with historical significance.
Everett, a native of Obion County, attended college at Murray State University in Kentucky, graduating in 1936. He was elected to the Obion County Court, now known as the County Commission or county legislative body. In 1938 he was elected to the Obion County Circuit Court clerk’s position. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran and was also a congressman.
Tanner, another veteran, has had many years of public service. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives and served the 77th House District from 1976-88, advancing after that to the U.S. House of Representatives and the stronghold Democrat seat formerly held by Ed Jones for several years. Tanner represented this area from 1989-2011 under four U.S. presidents and was a founder of the Blue Dog Democrats. He served on influential committees as a member of the House and identified himself as a conservative.
He also served two years as president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
The room devoted to his service will feature the seal of the United States, the American flag and the Tennessee flag to help tell his story.
The attractive red brick building known as Liberty Hall is one of several standing proudly on the grounds of the multi-million dollar education and entertainment venue that occupies a 50-acre space near the Titan Tire facility and across Everett Boulevard from Second Baptist Church.
It is one of many venues, in addition to the centerpiece Discovery Center, that experts say will attract thousands of visitors a year to this area to explore historical, current and future delights.
Mrs. Caudle may be contacted at glendacaudle @ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 3.15.13