Freestone County Historical Museum proudly announces the publication of former Sheriff J. R. “Sonny” Sessions, Jr’s book, Freestone Past And Present. The book was compiled by the museum’s board president, Linda Mullen. The book sales will officially open on Saturday, Dec. 1st at the museum with a book signing from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hot cocoa and Christmas cookies will be served while you wait. On hand for signatures will be Linda Mullen, Eric Wood – transcriber, and possibly Peggy Sessions. Admission will also be free for the day.
Freestone Past And Present contains seven and a half years of Sonny Session’s weekly historical newspaper columns written after he retired from office in 2003 until just before his death in 2010. Eric Wood of Freestone County Archives Website transcribed the majority of the articles; as Sonny had previously given permission to Eric to post them on the website. The museum is very grateful to the Sessions family for allowing the publication of Sonny’s historical writings for the benefit of the museum and also for sponsoring its initial publication.
The cost of the hardbound volume will be $75, which is a bargain considering it contains 456 pages of Sheriff Sessions’ historical knowledge and over seven years of his life devoted to preserving Freestone County History. As the museum’s major fundraiser for the year, the proceeds will be contributed to the 1881 Freestone County Jail restoration project. The books will make excellent Christmas gifts for lovers of Freestone County.
Also included will be a free “Freestone Friends Pioneer Sponsorship”, good through Dec. 2019. Freestone Friends will give you free visitation to the museum complex for a whole year; as well as a free newsletter subscription. The sponsorship program is renewable yearly and helps the museum with extra expenses incurred throughout the year. The museum also has other levels of sponsorship available, including corporate sponsorship. See www.freestonecomuseum.com under the “FRIENDS” tab for more information.
