(Rutherford County, TN) ­‐ Members of the Exchange Club in Murfreesboro dedicated a “Freedom Shrine” at Rocky Fork Middle School on Tuesday May 17, 2022.

“The Freedom Shrine is an impressive display of a collection of historic document replicas that serves to remind all of us of the great efforts that have been taken to ensure our freedom,” states Exchange Club Program Chair Charlie Pigg.

The Freedom Shrine originated with the Freedom Train that toured the nation in 1947 carrying an exhibit of historic documents. It serves as an educational tool in schools and as a motivational display in public arenas.

The gallery of history includes framed reproductions of George Washington’s first inaugural address — the first president urged a new Congress to consider a “reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for public harmony” in crafting a Bill of Rights — and President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the South in 1863. Perhaps the most interesting part of the preserved documents are editing marks — many documents are preserved in some pre-finished form.

Club President Brian Hongsermeier said “The wall of primary source documents is located past the School’s office doors and will serve as an additional tool available to teachers working to expose students to major parts of our nation’s history”.

For more information about the “Freedom Shrine” and The Exchange Club visit www.NationalExchangeClub.org or call 615-641-0121 or email ExchangeClubMurfreesboro@GMail.com. The local Exchange Club was chartered on June 5, 1951 – almost 71 years ago.