The Friends of the Delta Heritage Center, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization, provides support, service, and recognition to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, Tina Turner Museum and Tina Turner Heritage Days’ annual celebration.
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The History of Flagg Grove School
Benjamin Brown Flagg sold one acre of land in January 1889 to a group of Trustees charged with the task of building Flagg Grove School.
Since that time until the late 1960s, Flagg Grove School served African-American students in the northwest portion of Haywood County, Tennessee, just west of Nutbush. First as a Subscription school (each student paid $1 per month), then as a part of the public school system.
Many students attended and have left a mark on their communities and the world. Among Flagg Grove's most famous students is Anna Mae Bullock, most know her as Tina Turner - "Queen of Rock 'n Roll."
When Flagg Grove School was closed in the late 1960s, it was used as a barn and corn crib until being moved to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tennessee. The school made its journey to its new home on June 1, 2012. Since that time restoration efforts were made to restore the structure and open the school as an interpretive center for early African-American education and to honor the heritage and legacy of its former students, including Tina Turner.
In January 2014, Tina announced her contributions to the project, including a financial donation and memorabilia from her career. From her generosity has sprung the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School. A collection of costumes, gold records and more will be on display for all to see, at no charge. A strong message to young people on the importance of education; and no matter your circumstances, it is possible to achieve your dreams and success in life.
From concept to completion, this has been a community effort to preserve our history and promote Brownsville/Haywood County as a destination for music enthusiasts and heritage tourism.
Flagg Grove School opened Friday, September 26, 2014, with a host of media and fans on hand to dedicate the school and the new Tina Turner Museum inside. We celebrate the opening and the Queen of Rock during Tina Turner Heritage Days each year on the fourth weekend of September.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible!