National Bird Dog Museum
Grand Junction, Tennessee
 www.birddogfoundation.com
 

 

ON THE ROAD……TO GRAND JUNCTION, TENNESSEE
By:  Michelle Cummings

Where in the world is Grand Junction, Tennessee?  Located just 50 miles east of Memphis, Tennessee – Grand Junction is the home of The National Bird Dog Museum – Field Trial Hall of Fame – Wildlife Heritage Center. 

Recently I had the opportunity to visit this prestigious building.  As some of you may or may not be aware, we have a display at the Bird Dog Museum.  It was in dire need of some revamping, redoing and just plain updating.  So, I made the long trek down to Grand Junction to do just that. 

The entrance from the parking lot
 

A beautiful sculpture display outside depicts one of John Rex Gates’ hunting trips

I was treated to breakfast by one of our long time trialers from Selmer, Tennessee – Mr. Richard Moore.  Mr. Moore is a very knowledgeable bird dog man and a gentleman to boot.  After breakfast we traveled to Grand Junction to work on our display.  With Richard’s able help, this country girl was able to hammer nails, get the pictures lined up (sorta) straight and transform what had been a sad representation of our fine organization into a stunning display. 

(L-R) Gary Lockee, Richard Moore and David Smith say ‘cheese’ for me

(L-R) Gary Lockee of the Bird Dog Museum, our own Michelle Cummings, and Richard Moore of Selmer, Tennessee

These two pictures are of the lobby when you first enter the museum. The paintings show four different breeds of dog
 

Our new display features our prestigious ‘Dog of the Year’ trophy.

We have also added a place for issues of the NSTRA magazine dating back to day one for people to look at.  We also now have brochures for anyone to take when they visit our display

This wall holds the plaques showing every winner of the championship trials.  Beside each plaque is a picture of the very first winner and the most current year’s winner of each championship trial.

Our other wall now shows some of the history of NSTRA.  Newspaper clippings dating back to 1966, how NSTRA started, our past and current president of NSTRA, and our Top Performance award plaque along with first winner and current year’s winner.

Mr. David Smith, the new Director of Development was on hand to offer his help in any way.  A very nice and distinguished gentleman he was.  He gave us a brief update on a new display the Museum had recently obtained.  It was of Count Noble, an English setter who was 110 years old.  He was preserved in a wildlife setting pointing a quail.  The display was quite impressive as it was in a glass box about 12 feet by 6 feet.  A great addition to the Museum. 

The infamous Gary Lockee was on hand to assist us as well.  Gary has been involved with the Bird Dog Museum for many, many years.  He knows every piece in that museum and the story that goes behind it.  From the guitar hanging on the wall to the derby hat with about $30,000 worth of gold pins in it.  Gary gave Richard and I a brief tour of the many items on display. 

I then had the pleasure of lunching with these three gentlemen at the Junction Inn, a local restaurant in downtown Grand Junction (I believe it’s the only restaurant).  This quaint little town is not too far off the beaten path but I will warn you – cell phones don’t work here. 

So, if you’re looking for a short or long trip depending on where you are, Grand Junction Tennessee is a great place to take the family.    It’s a great way to show them why your bird dogs take up so much of your time.  There are many, many great dogs in the museum.  And so many people who think as highly of their dogs as we do can’t be wrong.  The National Bird Dog Museum is a superb place to see all the great dogs in all kinds of different associations.  It is the only place of it’s kind in the country with a display for National Shoot to Retrieve.  So, check it out – you won’t be sorry you went. You can also visit the museum's web site: www.birddogfoundation.com
 

David Smith Hired as Bird Dog Foundation’s Director of Development 

The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. announces the hiring of David Smith of Somerville, Tennessee, as the organization’s new Director of Development.  The foundation’s President, Dr. John A. Webb, of Iowa Park, Texas, released the information. 

Dr. Web stated, “The Bird Dog Foundation is fortunate to have a person with Mr. Smith’s talents to assist with insuring the future financial stability of the Bird Dog Foundation.” 

Smith comes to the Bird Dog Foundation with a background in management, finance, public relations, and sales.  The 51 year old Smith was born in Grand Junction, site of the National Bird Dog Museum, Field Trial Hall of Fame and Wildlife Heritage Center, all housed and operated by the Foundation.  He holds a business accounting degree from the University of Memphis earned in 1975.  Since 1996, Smith has written a weekly outdoors column for the Fayette County Review.   

Described as an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Smith brings to the Bird Dog Foundation a life-long dedication to natural resource conservation.  He has been on the Board of the Tennessee Conservation League, a 12,000 member statewide sportsmen’s organization since 1974.  That group selected him as Conservationist of the Year in 1996 for his work to gain public stewardship of a 4000 acre critical land base patronized by area hunters and fishermen.  He has also served on the Board of the Tennessee Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Regional Wolf River Conservancy.  Over the years, his skills as a writer have helped gain grant funds for various conservation and education activities.  Among his successful grant application attempts have been approvals by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and the North American Hunting & Fishing Club, an NRA subsidiary. 

The Bird Dog Foundation anticipates the use of Smith’s innovative fundraising techniques to secure the financial future of the organization.  His work will also include grant writing, regional/national outreach, special events and promotions, along with broadening the constituencies of the Foundation.  Smith and his wife, Bonnie, enjoy horses and live on a 50 acre farm located just 12 miles from Grand Junction.