Museum Legacy:
Founding Members and the Importance they provided
Ms. Mary Ruth Devault first began an annex to the McKenzie Memorial Library while serving as its Librarian. It was known as the Tennessee room and encouraged an interest in Tennessee history and Genealogy. Through Ms. Devaults’ influence a class in Genealogical Research was organized and was enthusiastically attended by people from all over Carroll County. The outcome of that class was the 1971 Organization and Chartering of the Carroll County Historical Society with Ms. Devault as the first president. Former Governor Gordon Browning was a charter member and donated his Memorabilia to the historical society provided they establish a permanent home install Ms. Devault as the curator. The Browning room was then established and seperated frome the Memorial library with Ms. Devault as the Curator and occupied the Upstairs room without Charge. For the next 25 years Ms Devault Marshalled Limited Funds and enthusiastic Volunteers to Make the Gordon Browning Museum and Genealogical Library one of the best Archival Institutions in the state, While also overseeing its’ 1989 move to the Current Former post office building. She retired in Janruary of 1997 due to Failing Health. Her Knowledge of the Collection, and of the County and its People Continues to be Missed. Thank you Ms. Devault for the Carroll County Historical Society and Gordon Browning Museum and your years of devotion to them.
Gordon Weaver Browning was an attorney, military officer, United States Representative and two time Governor of Tennessee. He was born near Atwood, Carroll County, Tennessee on November 22, 1889. In his early years he attended local public schools and worked on the farm. In 1913, he graduated Valparaiso University in 1913 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Two years later he received his degree in law from Cumberland University Law School. The same year he was admitted to the Tennessee State Bar and commenced practicing law in Huntingdon, Tennessee. During the First World War, he served as an artillery officer in the Tennessee National Guard and served in France prior to the wars conclusion. He returned from the war to Huntingdon to resume his law practice. In 1923, Browning was elected as a United States Representative and would serve for five successive terms until 1935. On his return from Congress, he launched a campaign to run for governor. He successfully won the election of 1937 and was governor until 1939. The governor was unsuccessful in his bid for re-nomination. During the Second World War, he was re-appointed as an officer in the United States Army. He acted as deputy head of the Belgium- Luxembourg mission and served in the military government in Germany soon following the war. On his return to Tennessee he began another campaign for governor and was once again elected in 1949. His attempt for re-election failed in 1952 and again in 1954. Governor Browning retired from public service following his last campaign for the governorship and returned to practicing law and dairy farming in Huntingdon. He died May 23, 1976 and is interred in Oak Hill Cemetery, Huntingdon, Tennessee.