Homesick for the South

Are you a transplanted Southerner? Are you homesick for your Southern roots? The hometown drawings of 12 Southern states available through Village Prints offer transplanted Southerners the chance to soothe their homesickness by having composite prints of their hometowns hanging on their walls. We received a call recently from a lady originally from Tennessee, who is now living in Florida. She told us how homesick she was for the South, and memorabilia like our prints of Southern towns would be so welcome in her home. Although she already owns our print of her hometown of Columbia, TN, she immediately ordered prints of three other towns around Columbia, TN.

Last October we met M. L. Rose, the author of The Road to Eden's Ridge, at the Factory in Franklin, TN. Ms. Rose is an exuberant writer and interesting conversationalist. When she learned about the 350+ pencil drawings that the artists of Village Prints have done, she became very enthusiastic about the prospect of promoting these prints because during today's economic downturn so many Americans are now wanting to return to basics--to return to their roots. Be sure to check out the website at http://www.villageprints.com to see if we have drawn your hometown. You will find drawings of towns in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Hope, Arkansas, Birthplace of Mike Huckabee

The artistic team of Tommy Thompson and his two daughters, Michelle and Melanie, has produced composite drawings of more than 300 towns across 12 Southern states. These drawings can be viewed on the web site, Village Prints. One of the prints is Hope, Arkansas, the birthplace of former Governor Mike Huckabee, who now has one of our favorite television shows, "Huckabee." The drawing of Hope was done by Thompson's daughter, Michelle Rideout, who is the one of the South’s most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana.

Struck by the pride of older Americans in the heritage of their towns, Thompson transformed glimpses of the past found in old, faded photographs and memories into composite drawings, which were then printed as limited editions. Collectors of Thompson's prints sometimes find it difficult to locate someone who is willing to part with their prints once all the prints of a particular town have been sold.

Many people have asked Thompson how his unique art business originated. In 1984 Thompson was traveling through a small town called Iron City, Tennessee, and happened to stop by one of the stores for a soft drink and was amazed at the town pride that he heard in the voices of the old men sitting around a pot-bellied stove in the store. After listening some more, he learned that a community group needed a fundraiser to help refurbish a park along a creek that ran through the town. The people in the general store, through their descriptions and recollections, helped the artist capture in a pencil drawing the essence of the buildings that had long ago been torn down. The project was quite successful, selling all prints in a month or so, to benefit the small town. From that spark, the artistic team preserved the memories of bygone days for more than 300 towns in twelve states across the South.

Iron City, Tennessee, Origin of Village Prints

In 1984 artist Tommy Thompson was traveling through a small town called Iron City, Tennessee (link to http://www.villageprints.com/tnironcity.html) and happened to stop by one of the stores for a soft drink and was amazed at the town pride that he heard in the voices of the old men sitting around a pot-bellied stove in the store. After listening some more, he learned that a community group needed a fundraiser to help refurbish a park along a creek that ran through the town. The people in the general store, through their descriptions and recollections, helped the artist capture in a pencil drawing the essence of the buildings that had long ago been torn down. The project was quite successful, selling all prints in a month or so, to benefit the small town. From that spark, the artistic team preserved the memories of bygone days for more than 300 towns in twelve states across the South.

For more than 20 years, Thompson and his two daughters, Michelle and Melanie, preserved small-town Americana for posterity in their drawings. Check out the newly redesigned web site to see if you can find the place of your roots. For example, you will see a composite drawing of Hope, Arkansas (http://www.villageprints.com/arhope.html), the birthplace of two famous men, Governor Mike Huckabee and former President Bill Clinton.

In their travels as painter, photographer, and writer, Tommy and Marie Thompson have met some very interesting people. Last fall in Franklin, TN, they met M. L. Rose, the author of the new book, The Road to Eden's Ridge. In a conversation with Tommy Thompson, Rose learned of his original career as an illustrator (Village Prints.com). She was fascinated with the artist's concept for the unique business that has preserved memories of the past for many Americans who grew up in small towns across the South. Rose advised Thompson to promote vigorously his unusual web site, Village Prints.com, because, she said, in the present economic downturn Americans want to return to the basics and are longing to reminisce about their roots--the place where they grew up.

Newly Redesigned Web Site at Village Prints. Com

Artist Tommy Thompson has now redesigned his web site for Village Prints. com. During the two decades, the artist has recorded for posterity the main streets of small-town America. Thompson has more than 30 years' experience in art, photography, printing and marketing. The native Mississippian studied graphic art at Mississippi State University, where he also supervised the art and photography division of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station. Thompson began his unique business, Village Prints, in 1984, and since that time he and his daughters Michelle and Melanie have drawn more than 300 towns in 12 states across the southern United States. Struck by the pride of older Americans in the heritage of their towns, Thompson has transformed glimpses of the past found in old, faded photographs and memories into composite drawings, which are then printed as limited editions. Collectors of Thompson's prints sometimes find it difficult to locate someone who is willing to part with their prints once all the prints of a particular town are sold, which sometimes occurs in a week or two. Because these art prints are limited editions, they represent an investment that increases in value over time.

Return to Basics--Find a Drawing of the Hometown of Your Roots

www.villageprints.com/txmarshall.html

Whenever we experience an economic downturn, we usually want to return to the basics--to a simpler way of life.

















www.villageprints.com/arhope.html

If you long to return to your roots, why not search for your hometown on http://www.villageprints.com/.

















www.villageprints.com/gacamilla.html

Tommy Thompson or his two daughters may have captured the essence of your hometown in a composite drawing.

















www.villageprints.com/alspringville.html

These artists have preserved the memories of hundreds of towns in 12 states across the South.

















www.villageprints.com/ncconcord.html

These limited-edition prints are signed and numbered and printed on parchtone paper.

















www.villageprints.com/kybowlinggreen.html

The prints make wonderful gifts for any occasion--Valentines, birthdays, retirements, etc.

















www.villageprints.com/tnhenderson.html

Log onto http://www.villageprints.com/ and try to find the town where you grew up or once lived.

Appleby School, Florence, Alabama

On October 15, 2008, we had the pleasure of speaking with the great grandson of F. T. Appleby, for whom the Appleby School of Florence, Alabama, was named. The School was named to honor Appleby, who was superintendent from 1917 to 1932. The building is the original Coffee High School. Florence Junior High School, built in 1936 on the lot adjoining Coffee High, had housed all junior high classes until 1951 when the new high school was built on its present location. The old high school building was then converted into an elementary school. Upon completion of Richard School in 1961, all the elementary grades were moved to that school. Both the old high school building and the junior high school are now used as junior high schools. This building had several fires, and in the 1980's it was badly burned. It has been razed, and the University of North Alabama tennis courts now occupy the area.

Tommy Thompson completed a drawing of Appleby School during the 1980s prior to the razing of the school.

(Historical information taken from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder/edu-schools1.htm#APPLEBY, October 15, 2008)

Decatur, AL

Located on the Tennessee River in Morgan County, Decatur, AL, boasts a rich heritage and a dynamic future. Here you’ll find economic prosperity, cultural diversity, and community spirit combined to make Decatur a grand city on a charming scale. Nestled in the Tennessee River Valley, the city of Decatur boasts a rich and colorful history. For those who grew up in Decatur or live there now, a perfect gift for any occasion is a limited-edition print of the town, printed on parchtone paper. The 11" x 14" composite print, rendered by Melanie Gentle, includes drawings of the Old State Bank, Carnegie Library, the Depot, Gordon Bibb School, and the old bridge over the Tennessee River. The prints sell for $50.00, plus $7.00 for shipping and handling. To order one of the few remaining artist's proofs, call 256-767-0422 or email: tmt11@comcast.net.

Hartselle, AL

Located near Huntsville and Decatur, AL, Hartselle is the ideal destination for antique collectors . You can take a stroll through the historic downtown that prides itself on its excellent service, quality of merchandise and hometown atmosphere. With its beautifully renovated historic buildings, the downtown offers a mix of antique stores, for which Hartselle is famous; restaurants; gift and specialty stores. For those people who either live in Hartselle or grew up there, an excellent gift idea for any occasion is a limited-edition print of Hartselle, printed on parchtone paper. The composite print drawn by Melanie Gentle includes drawings of Burleson School, the Post Office, Depot, Railroad Street, and other landmarks. This 11" x 14" print sells for $40.00, plus $7.00 for shipping and handling. To order a print, call 256-767-0422 or email: tmt11@comcast.net.