Local Museum Receives Uniform Display

McKENZIE (March 20) — The Carroll County Historical Society and the Gordon Browning Museum recently received a $1,000 museum grant from the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The nomination was made by the Chickasaw Bluff Chapter.

The grant was used to create a display honoring Cpl. Stewart Staten Huffman, a trooper in the 1st U. S. Cavalry Regiment, Company M, Spanish American War, 1898-1900. He was a resident of Carroll County, born in the Hico community and later lived in McKenzie. He was a farmer and was employed by the N.C. & St. L. Railroad until an accident caused the loss of his left arm.

Huffman was once a postmaster in Carroll County.

His great-grandchildren, Jennifer Barksdale Waldrup, Billy Barksdale, Mark Barksdale, Barbara Brewer and Col. Joe R. Parker, donated Mr. Huffman’s uniform and war documents to the Gordon Browning Museum. This uniform is the oldest in the museum’s vast collection.

In addition, Col. Parker also donated his uniform, which is displayed with his great-grandfather’s items. Col. Parker is a retired U. S. Army officer with 47 years of service in Military Intelligence, serving part of his career at the Pentagon. In 2017, he was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

The Gov. Gordon Browning Museum is honored to have this display added to its collection. Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to come by and visit the new addition.