Museum helps McMinn County celebrate its 190th birthday

The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tenn., announces events to commemorate McMinn County's 190th birthday.

"The museum is a vital link between our past and present and helps our citizens more fully appreciate our ancestors and heritage," said Diane Hutsell, museum executive director. "We are pleased to be celebrating this milestone and look forward to preserving and presenting the history of McMinn County for years to come."

During the coming week, the museum will offer free admission, a 15 percent discount off local history books in the museum gift shop, and the 190th person through the doors will receive a free museum membership for one year.

On Friday, museum employees will hand out birthday cake to citizens who stop by the museum between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Museum visitors are asked to bring a "birthday gift" of nonperishable food or a cash donation to benefit McMinn County's Coordinated Charities food bank.