Our Story
The Paris-Henry County Heritage was built by a prominent family man, businessman, and philanthropist; O.C. Barton, named after his wife Tillie Cavitt. The new home’s design was commissioned to a prominent Atlanta architect and was completed in 1916. The Industrial Age of the late Nineteenth Century ushered in the Gilded Age that introduced a new way of life for everyone. By the turn of the Century, people who could afford to, would travel abroad. Steamships traveling to Europe returned home with passengers who became more sophisticated, having been influenced by their exposure abroad. Interest in Classical, Egyptian, Romanesque, and Moorish design found reflection in the lifestyle, decor, fashions, and architecture of the era. The tree-lined streets complimented shady yards and lacy trimmed homes, some modest and some quite ornamented. In short, it was a grand era. The Italian Renaissance Revival style mansion replaced their large Queen Anne Victorian home that burned down.
Poplar Street and Dunlap Street still have many of the original homes and the properties are well maintained for the most part. On Poplar Street, find gorgeous, palatial homes with magnificent Corinthian columns, big porches, and balconies. In the county of Henry, established in 1821, the City of Paris was then incorporated in 1823. Paris was destined to expand growth into West Tennessee. Most of its people came by way of North Carolina on river barges and overland. The railroad followed and with it came growth and industry.
Visitors are often captivated by what they experience when they visit us. We have an ever-evolving unique collection that is displayed throughout the house. Exploring the house, you are likely to discover something of your own ancestors. Artifacts, faces, and places that emanate from livelihoods built in the wilderness, to become what is now an old, established and vibrant little city in West Tennessee.
As a Center, we create culturally and historically engaging programs for adults. We create events to celebrate community, and to help sustain us financially. Invested board members, some whom have served for years in the community, are integral to our continuance. We are grateful to the County, the City, The Board of Public Utilities, Project Round Up, Helping Hand, Inc., Mardi Gras sponsors and all other local businesses, clubs, and individual supporters who make our mission possible.
Staff
Executive Director
Volunteers
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is comprised of elected offices of chairman, co-chairman, secretary and treasurer, and board-elected and appointed members from the community to ensure representation from the schools, the city, and the county.
Past Events
Familiar and new faces gathered Saturday on a gorgeous fall day at Cavitt Place, to lunch & Learn about a fascinating Paris story, that of the vibrant and glamorous days of the bygone Cosmetic industry.
Pete Lackey presented its story and shared historical notes that were new to everyone present, quite the historian. The cosmetic industry's history hit close to home with a number of people in the crowd who had family & friends ties to the industry.
Several attending shared their Mitchum Company stories. Bill Warren, son of company owner Mitchum Warren was present for the affair, also present was Glenda McNutt whose husband Bill McNutt was the chemist and developer of the famous Mitchum antiperspirant. Jerry Wagner another staffer and former Heritage Center board member brought to us beau coups samples for our collection and to display, Judge Vicki Snyder's mother was the Mitchum secretary; Dentist Jeff Fletcher commemorated his building that holds a Mitchum connection with a Dan Knowles painting of a golden peacock, graciously shared with us for the event.
One pretty woman was so impressed with the Mitchum line of products that she asked if she might take a vintage bottle of Esoterica creme lotion to give it a try.
Cavitt Place staff, Volunteers and Board members orchestrated the vibrant luncheon event. A great time was had by all.
Coming up next is "May I have my Shots Please?" when Mary Burns will tell the story of the Henry County Health Department when it took residence right here at Cavitt Place. Generations of Parisians visited here for their immunizations, and have survived to tell the story. Just such a person is Mary Burns, former Henry County Chancery Court clerk and Master who also worked here when it was the health department. Mary will tell another fascinating story that many will relate to. Starting with the of the P.I.'s front page story line in bold black letters announcing, "Henry County Gets Health Care". From its infancy forward, the story unfolds, and will touch also on the early local hospitals that sprung up to serve within the community.
Looking forward to a festive time spent with you, holiday Lunch & Learn December 6th; r.s.v.p to director@phchc.com or to 731-642-1030
731-642-1030
