By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–“Making new memories” was the theme of Monday afternoon’s unveiling of new portraits at the historic Henry County Courthouse.
Six new portraits were added to the Gallery on the first floor of the courthouse: portraits of President George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, President Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel, and President James K. Polk and his wife Sarah.
The additions commemorate the 250th Birthday of the United States and were presented by the John Babb Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Henry County Historical Society.
DAR Regent Suzanne Richter spoke of her memories of the courthouse as being the center of social and political events when she was a child and she said Monday’s program was a way of “making new memories” at the courthouse.
The portrait of President Washington is now hanging in a place of honor above the fireplace on the Chancery Courtroom, with the Marquis de Lafayette, his ‘right-hand-man during the Revolutionary War’ to his right. The placement was especially fitting, according to County Historian David Webb, since Washington Street is behind Washington’s portrait.
The portraits of the Jacksons and the Polks were painted by Joe Routon, a third generation painter, and were donated by Stephanie Routon Tayloe. The portraits have been displayed in Ms. Tayloe’s homes for more than forty years. In her words, “It is time to share.”
Ms. Tayloe said she was honored to present the portraits and noted that the Jacksons and Polks had visited Paris during their lifetimes.
To further commemorate the occasion, the Henry County Mayor’s Office enhanced the exhibit with newly installed gold framed plaques under each of the twelve portraits displayed throughout the Courthouse.
Henry County Mayor Randy Geiger thanked the staff at the courthouse “for making it happen”, noting Jennifer Gallimore, John McElroy, and Kristi Cross who had worked on the acquisitions, plaques, and hanging the portraits.
“Now we have six new sets of distinguished eyes watching over the county commission”, Geiger said. “We’ve been working on this project off and on for some time. You can trust that we will take care of this beautiful building and thank you for the privilege of letting me be your mayor.”
The portraits that are already in the Courthouse’s main hallway gallery are: John Crockett; Rosamund Christenbery; Dr. Mordecai Johnson; Patrick Henry; State Commissioner Christine Reynolds; Governor Thomas Rye; Pearl Sanders Routon; Governor Isham Harris; Governor James D. Porter; Associate Justice Howell Jackson; Congressman JDC Atkins; and County School Superintendent Joe Routon.
Photo: Stephanie Routon Tayloe speaks in front of the portraits of the Jacksons and the Polks, which she donated. Shannon McFarlin photo.