Pearl Museum And Farm Flaunts Its Gems During Benton Co. FAM Tour

Tennessee Department of Tourism dignitaries took in the sights of Benton County in a familiarization tour, Monday, July 12. The group visited attractions in the county including The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm and Tour, Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground, The Patsy Cline Memorial Site, Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park's Tennessee River Folklife Museum, and enjoyed lunch at the Tennessee River Restaurant. An open reception for the group was held at the Catfish Place that afternoon with Ryan Holladay providing the entertainment.

The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm and Tour held the groups itinerary time slot for 90 minutes. The familiarization tour with owner Bob Keast, included orientation, introduction to freshwater pearl history, a briefing on the musseling industry to Benton County, meeting pearl farm manager Don Nerren for techniques on culturing, a local diver displaying his catch of the day, pointing out the variety of mussel species available, explaining how the mussel fits into the river aquaculture, and watching a local artisan create jewelry out of some of the “farm fresh” pearls. One of pieces of jewelry - a sterling silver ring - made by John Nerren was presented to Department of Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker.

Attending from the State of Tennessee Department of Tourism were: Commissioner Susan Whitaker, Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, Shannon Corney, Eliza Brunson and Ramay Winchester. Special guests were Representative Butch Borchert, Representative John Tidwell, Charlotte Tidwell, Steve Walsh, Steve Mann, Patricia Mann, Bill Kee, and walk-in tourists from Clarksville, Bath Springs and Pulaski, TN.