MTSU’s Carroll Van West caps 41 years of preserving Tennessee history with new Century Farms book

MTSU’s Carroll Van West caps 41 years of preserving Tennessee history with new Century Farms book

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Just weeks before retiring after 30 years as director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University, history professor Carroll Van West found himself returning to a project that brought his 41-year career full circle. Dr. Carroll Van West During a presentation June 2 at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Nashville, West celebrated the release of his latest book, “Tennessee’s Frontier Century Farms: An Enduring Legacy of Family, Farming, and Community.” “We’ve had a very busy year. It was a nice way to end my time at MTSU,” said West, whose book served as a capstone for a career that has been devoted to documenting and preserving the state’s people and places. Established in 1975 during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration, the Century Farms Program recognizes farms that have remained in continuous family ownership and agricultural production for at least 100 consecutive years. Self-nominated entries help document generations of ownership while assembling detailed historical resources. “I wanted to have a mix of present-day digital photographs and some really old black-and-white photographs that nobody had seen before. Visually, it gives the book a really interesting quality,” explained West, who was previously a research professor at the center. He  took the helm of the farm program when it came under the purview of MTSU in 1985. Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West, who retired in June 2026 as director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., talks with a crowd assembled June 2 at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Nashville to commemorate his newly released book, “Tennessee’s Frontier Century Farms: An Enduring Legacy of Family, Farming, and Community,” and the preservation program that recognizes farms that have remained in continuous family ownership and agricultural production for at least 100 consecutive years. (Submitted photo) Andy Holt Today, that roster includes more than 2,300 farms in all 95 Tennessee counties, with many dating back over 200 years. West’s 170-page volume tells the stories of roughly 100 of those multigenerational frontier farms that were established by Tennessee’s earliest settlers and represent all three of the state’s Grand Divisions — West, Middle and East. The book also serves as one of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture‘s signature projects commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary. “Tennessee’s Century Farms represent the strength, resilience and dedication of our farm families,” state Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said at the event. He continued, “Agriculture is Tennessee’s top industry, and these farms tell the story of that success through generations of hard work, stewardship and commitment to the land. We are proud to celebrate the families who have preserved this heritage for future generations.” The project began about two years ago after Holt’s predecessor, Charlie Hatcher, approached West about writing an updated volume for his initial publication, “Tennessee Agriculture: A Century Farms Perspective,” originally published in 1986 with 783 locations formally identified. A crowd of more than 400 guests assemble June 2, 2026, on the lawn of the Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Nashville, Tenn., to commemorate Tennessee’s Century Farms Program and be part of the book launch for, “Tennessee’s Frontier Century Farms: An Enduring Legacy of Family, Farming, and Community,” by state historian Carroll Van West, who retired as director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on June 30, 2026. (Submitted photo) Farms tell story of ‘who we are’ as a state A comprehensive history of all 2,300-plus Century Farms would have required multiple volumes. Instead, West and state officials developed a more manageable approach by focusing on Tennessee’s earliest qualifying farms while ensuring geographic diversity across the state. Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West, who retired in June 2026 as director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., talks with a crowd assembled June 2 at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum in Nashville to commemorate his newly released book, “Tennessee’s Frontier Century Farms: An Enduring Legacy of Family, Farming, and Community,” and the preservation program that recognizes farms that have remained in continuous family ownership and agricultural production for at least 100 consecutive years. (Submitted photo) The response exceeded expectations. More than 400 people representing Century Farm families gathered for the book launch. For West, the enthusiastic turnout underscored why the program has endured for half a century. “Our Frontier Century Farms are the foundation of Tennessee’s history, culture and economy,” said West, who was appointed as state historian by former Gov. Bill Haslam in 2013. “Family-owned and operated, these special farms are among the best places to celebrate commemorate who we are and what we have accomplished as Tennesseans.” Its success reflects a broader philosophy that shaped West’s tenure at the CHP, where preserving history prepares the next generation of public historians. Among the accomplishments West says he treasures most isn’t a book or preservation project but the students. As of his retirement in June 2026, he has helped guide 53 doctoral candidates and 131 master’s students to completion of their degrees. “I’m really proud of the students and what they’ve accomplished,” he said. “They take the lessons of the center and apply them to places across the country. To me, that’s really important.” To purchase the book, email the CHP at histpres@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-2947, or email the state Department of Agriculture at CenturyFarms@tn.gov. Learn more about the CHP at https://www.mtsuhistpres.org/. — Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu) Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt, right, and state historian Carroll Van West, who retired June 30, 2026, as director of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., hold one of the distinctive yellow Tennessee Century Farms markers, which recognize farms that have remained in continuous family ownership and agricultural production for at least 100 consecutive years. (Submitted photo)