Sam Davis Home Launches Fundraising
May 2002 - SMYRNA, Tenn.

The Sam Davis Memorial Association has launched the public phase of the first ever major capital campaign for the Sam Davis Boyhood Home.

"Building on the Past for the Future" is the theme of the $1 million campaign which will cover construction of a new visitors center and museum, renovation of the present museum as an education center, renovation of the administrative building and relocation of the home to a site behind the new visitors center.

The board of directors and trustees have commitments of more than $760,000. Descendants of the Davis family helped lead the way for the campaign. Through the bequest of Ida Davis King, the mu-seum will be named the Oscar and Nimmie King Davis Museum. The renovated administrative center will be named for Mrs. King. Major donations to the education center and moving of the house came from the family of Charles M. Davis Sr. of Tampa, Fla., and Helen Davis of Tampa, Fla., and her children.

The house was the childhood home of Sam Davis, "Boy Hero of the Confederacy." He enlisted in the Confederate Army at age 18 and fought with Co. I, 1st Tennessee Infantry, at Shiloh, Perryville and Stones River.

In June 1863 Davis was selected to serve in Coleman’s Scouts, an elite group which carried information behind Federal lines in Tennessee to Gen. Braxton Bragg in Chattanooga. Davis was captured in November 1863. Union Gen. Grenville Dodge offered him freedom for the name of an informant.

Davis refused to cooperate, saying, "If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all rather than betray a friend." He was hanged at the age of 21.

The new visitors center will help tell his story and about the war in Middle Tennessee.

The campaign planning and steering committees are contacting individuals, foundations and corporations for support. For information or to make a donation write 1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna, TN 37167 or call (888) 750-9524.