Grinder’s Switch Center Offers Musical Memories

Music has deep roots here in middle Tennessee and celebrating those roots is very important to the folks in Hickman County. Nestled in between shops and restaurants on the historic Centerville square, The Grinder’s Switch Center is a museum dedicated to Hickman County’s music heritage. When you walk in the door you enter the world of music greats like Minnie Pearl, Beth Slater Whitson, and Del Reeves. In display cases you will find Minnie Pearl’s dresses, Mary Jane shoes and of course the hats (complete with price tag) that made her famous. Born in Hickman County in 1912 as Sarah Ophelia Colley, Minnie Pearl went on to international stardom singing and entertaining folks with stories about her hometown of Grinder’s Switch.

Also featured in the museum is Beth Slater Whitson. Born in Hickman County in 1879, Whitson wrote 499 songs and poems during her career but is best known for the song “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”

The Grinder’s Switch Center also pays tribute to one of the most successful country singers in the 60s Del Reeves. Reeves, who was best known for his hit “Girl on the Billboard”, lived in Hickman County for 30 years. Like Minnie Pearl, Reeves was a longtime member of the Grand Old Opry.

In addition to housing some great country music memorabilia, the Center also hosts the popular Grinder’s Switch Hour – a live radio show every Saturday morning at 10 AM. So join the visitors from 34 states and 5 countries who stopped by the Grinders Switch Center in 2012 and see why we are so proud of our musical heritage.

The museum is located at 405 West Public Square and its hours are Monday-Friday 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.& Saturday 9:30a.m. to noon. There is no admission charge. Call 931 729-5774 for more information.