Historic Jefferson Street Association

06/02/2026

Mr. Auggie Rawls with his wife, Leanna and son Jessie. According to Mr. Yank Rachell " as a youngster, he walked pass Mr. Auggie's porch and heard him playing on what he describes as, I think, a "hu**ed back" mandolin. After carefully considering, he exchanged his little piglet for it and thus began one of the greatest blues careers ever! Mr. Auggie and his family attended Snipes Grove and First Baptist Church which is located in our neighborhood. He is the grandfather of Mrs. Norma Jean Lewis and maternal great -grandfather of Gerald Tyus who was born and raised in the Historic Jefferson Street District. Thanks for reading . https://youtu.be/z-Iye8Y-7NI?si=VtkQK_ijXVZV3pGj

04/24/2026

Spotlight on Mr. Riley Gregory

This week we honor centenarian Mr. Riley Gregory, a devoted and beloved member of First Baptist Church. Throughout his years of service, Mr. Gregory faithfully served as a trustee, Sunday School teacher, assistant Sunday School superintendent, and a committed member of the Finance Committee. He was known as our dependable fix‑it man — the one who could repair anything, prepare everything, and make sure the church was ready for worship each Sunday.

Among all his responsibilities, Mr. Gregory especially cherished his work with the Food Drive. He played a key role in designing the layout for distribution and took great pride in ensuring families were served with dignity, care, and efficiency.

His dedication extended far beyond the church. Mr. Gregory served our country on active duty in Korea, and later devoted 31 years to shaping young minds as a schoolteacher. He and his late wife, Mrs. Hadester Gregory, moved to Chattanooga with their daughter, Gwenda Gregory, but his heart has always remained deeply connected to First Baptist.

Though he now lives in Chattanooga, Mr. Gregory continues to worship with us faithfully each week by watching our services online. His love for First Baptist and his lifelong commitment to service continue to inspire our entire church family.

We celebrate you, Mr. Gregory — for your faithfulness, your work, your wisdom, and the legacy you continue to share. First Baptist Church Brownsville, TN is located in the Historic Jefferson Street District at 311 East Jefferson Street. Photo and copy used with permission from Lynda Transou Cliff . Posted by Gerald Tyus

03/29/2026

Photographs from the Dunbar Carver Museum's Spotlight on Local Artists.
The works of Roy Hawkins, Floyd Mask and John Person, Sr were the highlights. Photos courtesy: Gerald Tyus

03/29/2026

This is a free concert, although every penny raised during the intermission offering, payable to HHS with Show Choir in the memo, goes directly to the Haywood High School Show Choir. Thank you.

03/24/2026

FIRST Baptist Church is located in the Historic Jefferson Street District. This concert is presented annually and this is our third consecutive year.
It is free to all who wish to attend. Thank you. Gerald Tyus, Historic Jefferson Street District resident.

03/05/2026

Jefferson Street View From the Porch.

03/05/2026

Join us.

03/04/2026

Join us at First Baptist Church at noon on Thursday.

01/14/2026

🌹Rawls Funeral Home and Golden Circle Insurance Company are synonymous with Jefferson Street commerce. These businesses are still located in the Historic Jefferson Street District. We want to commemorate the "Ascension into the Celestial Universe of one of our brightest beacons."
🌹I coined the phrase "Neo-Renaissance African American" to describe Mrs. Cynthia Rawls Bond. Born during the Harlem Renaissance, she was a world traveler and one who appreciated art, artists, jazz and classics: Exposure to various creative genres: music, literature and fine art, helped to further augment her natural intellectual gifts. Mrs. Cynthia was a cultural arts proponent, known for inspiring and encouraging excellence in gifted individuals. Never ostentatious: she possessed sophisticated elegance and warmth.
🌹"Mrs. Cynthia will remain an inspiration to this present generation and to those who follow after us. Love radiates continuously through the cosmos. We are grateful that she shared tremendous love and numerous kindnesses towards our community." The impact is global.
As the hymn goes in paraphrase:
🌹"Let the Works That She Has Done Speak For Her, Loudly and Proudly over the Historic Jefferson Street District!" With gratitude. Gerald Tyus, Historic Jefferson Street Association Resident. Photo: Women of A New Tribe by Jerry Taliaferro.

01/01/2026