MARK MCGEE
Staff Writer

The need to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible makes the interstates of this country very popular.

However, if you stay on the interstates the most you are going to see are stretches of farmland or woods. There are stops for food and gas and winding through the larger cities on the route.

Those who do not choose venture off the interstate highways miss so much of America through the small towns that help make this country what it is.

Enticing travelers to take side trips, especially in the Southern Middle Tennessee area, is the primary goal of the Tennessee’s Backroads Heritage. The organization, under the direction of Dianne Murray and a board of directors, promotes events, places to visit, shop, eat and stay in Bedford, Marshall, Coffee, Moore, Lincoln and Franklin counties and also including the Sewanee area.

“It is designed to promote the historic attributes of Middle Tennessee off of the interstates,” Murray said. “When you get off the interstates you are pretty much traveling the backroads.

“When you really want to touch the authenticity of an area the backroads is where you can touch and really see the true stories. It’s down home. It is about feelings. There is a sense of belonging for visitors. It is just a different feeling and it is a good feeling.”

Backroads started as a pilot project under the National Trust for Historic Preservation 35 years ago to help identify places in Tennessee and other states that were rich in history. Southern Middle Tennessee was one of four areas chosen in the state.

The first director was Shelbyville’s Lynn Hulan. Cherry Condra was next as the leader followed by Murray.

“Lynn was the one who really helped get it off the ground,” Murray said. “She was just magnificent. Lynn and Cherry made my job as director so much easier due to the ground work they laid.”

One of the first projects was the development of the Tullahoma Campaign tour, which features sites involved with the Civil War in the area. Interpretive signage can be found in several areas and new signage is being added. A pamphlet and a book were also developed by the Backroads organization to promote the sites.

A colorful, multi-page brochure is available at Tennessee welcome centers as well as many of the sites included in the brochure. Promotions in various forms of media from magazines to TV also are part of the organization’s work.

“It takes money and it takes dedication to promote our mission,” Murray said. “When I go to events people will pick up our brochure and talk about wanting to go to different places.

“With money being tight people want to have an outing without the high expenses and traffic. People can go out on the backroads, have a great time and not have to spend $300 or $400 to go somewhere. We are a good sell.”