About Us :

The Cheatham County Historical and Genealogical Association (CCHGA) was created as a result of the Economic Community Development Program in the County. Ms. Thelma Heflin attended a meeting of the ECDP in 1993 and early 1994 where it was determined by that group that a historical society within the county would be an asset toward the county’s attempt to gain Three Star status from the state of Tennessee which would enhance The county’s standing and receive favorable assistance in its development by the state. Ms. Heflin volunteered to attempt to establish such a society as well as a gardening club within the county.

Attempts by Ms. Heflin met with little success in the beginning until Jim Allen called her and expressed an interest in February or March of 1994. Discussion between Ms. Heflin and Mr. Allen resulted in the calling of a meeting in April 1994 which was advertised in “The Ashland City Times”.

The meeting was held in the Lillamay community on 17 April 1994 with five individuals in attendance - Thelma Heflin, Jim Allen, Mary Grey Jenkins, Betty Cannon and Sherri Hill. Conversations held indicated that a previous historical society had ceased to exist in 1983 due to lack of interest. Discussion regarding reviving that organization proved to be excessively expensive due to requirements of the state that it would be necessary to pay state fees for back years from 1983 to 1994. Consequently, it was decided that it would be less costly to establish a new organization. Since the title of the previous organization was already The Cheatham county Historical Society, it was decided to add the phrase ‘genealogical’ and call it an Association - thus CCHGA was born.