Bledsoe pictorial history on sale

HOW TO GET ITGet a copy of "Bledsoe County, Tennessee, A Pictorial History, Volume II" by dropping by the Dr. Ross House at 222 Frazier St., behind the courthouse, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. CDT seven days a week. Books that are picked up from the Ross House are $65.55, including tax. To purchase by mail, send a check or money order for $60, plus $5 shipping and $5.55 tax for Tennessee residents, to the Bledsoe County Historical and Genealogical Society at P.O. Box 963, Pikeville, TN 37367.

Starting today, the second volume of the Bledsoe County Historical and Genealogical Society's latest historical photo collection, "Bledsoe County: A Pictorial History Volume II," is on sale at the society's home on Frazier Street, officials said.

"We sold 564, so far," said Norma Jean Hobbs, society treasurer. "We need to sell a whole lot more."

The first printing of Volume II produced 2,150 copies, and people should remember the first volume sold and was reprinted a few times to keep up with demand, society officials said.

"The majority of people are tickled to see them," Hobbs said. "They're really excited and like the books. We've not had many remarks that they didn't like it."

Society president and book co-editor Sara Agee Goins said she'd heard remarks that the book was "awesome" and "wonderful."

Officials say the second volume so far has been as well received as the first.

Since 2007, current Bledsoe residents, former residents, family members and friends contributed boxes full of photos, making Volume II almost one-fourth again larger than its predecessor, according to officials.

As the collection of donated photos grew, officials decided to add sections, such as one for "Bledsoe's beauties" and photographs from weddings.

"I've had five inquiries today," said Carolyn Knight, society member and director of the Bledsoe County Public Library. "What's happening is, they're picking up their books and members of the community are seeing them and they want one."

Knight said people open the book as soon as they get it and "they just keep looking and looking till they say, 'I've got to go home,'" she laughed.

"I think it's amazing that we were able to accumulate so many photos and so much information," she said, noting that the society appreciates the community's support in purchasing the books and for providing the photos to produce it.

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