Brenda Baxter has joined the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation

Dayton, TN -- 9/8/23

Brenda Baxter has joined the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation as administrative assistant as the foundation which produces Nokian Tyres Summer Nights concerts and the Scopes Trial Play & Festivities announces a new schedule for 2023.

Ms. Baxter will be responsible for coordinating events such as Nokian Tyres Summer Nights concerts in June, family-oriented activities on the courthouse lawn in conjunction with the Scopes Trial play in July, and radio theatre productions during MainStreet Dayton’s PumpkinFest and Christmas at the Courthouse.

“We are delighted to have a person with Brenda’s experience, energy and enthusiasm join RHPF as we look toward the Scopes Trial Centennial in 2025, and ramp up our efforts to tell this part of Rhea County’s history,” RHPF Board President Rick Dye said. “Her business background and her involvement with activities such as the Walden’s Ridge Community Club’s Hee-Haw show and the Rhea County Fair will be an excellent springboard for what we hope to accomplish in the next several years as we celebrate Rhea County history and heritage.”

Ms. Baxter said, “I am very excited to be involved in promoting, coordinating and contributing to the upcoming 2024 schedule including the Nokian Tyres Summer Nights’ concert series, the Scopes Trial and other events already set in motion as well as the Scopes Trial Centennial in 2025. It is my desire to bring some new, fresh ideas, additions to current events, and possible new events to spread the word about what the RHPF does and has to offer plus help spread the word about Rhea County’s history and heritage – as I call it, our ‘Little Slice of Heaven.’ I look forward to working with the board and thank them for considering me for this position and having faith in my ability to do the job.”

At the same time, the RHPF board released its calendar of events for 2024, including additional performances of the Scopes Trial play “Destiny in Dayton” and a new series of plays and lectures for student groups.

“We realized this year that the current public debate over what can and cannot be taught in public schools is basically the same argument the nation had in 1925 about Tennessee’s anti-evolution law,” Mr. Dye said. “We sold out all three performances of Destiny in Dayton to visitors from nine states and many communities throughout Tennessee. We actually had to turn people away, so next year we are planning a total of five shows over two weekends.”

The first weekend, July 12 and 13, will feature shows at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. That weekend will include the courtyard festivities – games, crafts, exhibits – on Saturday. The following weekend – July 19 and 20 – will include shows at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by a catered dinner with the cast after the Saturday performance.

“This new schedule will allow us to seat more people who are interested in the historical record of the Scopes Trial, and offer a little ‘extra’ to our guests who might want to learn more about our community and the trial,” Mr. Dye said.

Also new in 2024 will be an educational opportunity, primarily for high school students. In cooperation with Tennessee Valley Theatre, Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation will present performances of a one-act play, How It Started, combined with a lecture-discussion about the trial, and a tour of the Rhea Heritage and Scopes Trial Museum. This new program is planned for March, giving teachers the opportunity to plan a field trip with significant educational content for their students. Details about this program will be announced later this fall.

“We are excited to have Brenda on board, and to be looking at new ways to draw visitors to our community and tell the real story about Rhea County’s most famous court trial,” Mr. Dye said. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the community, Rhea County, the City of Dayton and other sponsors who make this possible.”

For more information about the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation and its programs, visit the website, www.rheaheritage.com.