A design contest is under way for a new logo for the George L. Carter Railroad Museum at East Tennessee State University.This contest, sponsored by the Tennessee Credit Union and coordinated by the museum, ETSU and the Mountain Empire Model Railroaders (MEMRR), is intended to encourage regional citizens “to display their creativity, and to introduce them to the fascinating tradition of railroading in the Tri-Cities area,” according to Dr. Fred Alsop, director of the museum and professor of Biological Sciences at ETSU. It is also being held in conjunction with National Model Railroad Month in November.

“The George L. Carter Railroad Museum has been open since November of 2007, and the new logo selected through this contest will help the museum to increase its visibility throughout the region as an excellent destination for those who wish to learn more about the rich history of railroading in Northeast Tennessee,” said ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., an avid railroad enthusiast. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of regional artists of all ages who put their skills to work and send in entries for this contest.”

“The Tennessee Credit Union is very pleased to partner with the ETSU George L. Carter Railroad Museum to encourage the people of our region to design a logo for the museum,” said John McFadden, manager of the Tennessee Credit Union ETSU Campus Branch. “We hope that many in our region, particularly students of all ages, will take this opportunity to share their artistic talents to develop a logo which will be readily recognized over the years to identify the Railroad Museum at ETSU.

“The Railroad Museum is an important regional resource to preserve and perpetuate the important history of the railroads, and the Tennessee Credit Union believes strongly that our shared history and these experiences of yesteryear should be available to people today and for future generations, as well,” McFadden added.

George L. Carter was a businessman, builder, visionary and entrepreneur who made Johnson City his home in the early 20th century.

He had vast mining and timberland holdings and built the Clinchfield Railroad, and, as a gift to the state of Tennessee, he provided the land where ETSU now stands.

The Carter Railroad Museum at ETSU is a tribute to Carter and to his foresight that led to the establishment in 1911 of the Normal School that eventually became East Tennessee State University.

The Carter Railroad Museum is located in the Campus Center Building (old College of Medicine Building) at ETSU and is open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Logo designs submitted must contain the words “George L. Carter Railroad Museum” and “ETSU,” and must incorporate an area railroading theme. Artwork will be judged on creativity, presentation, technical ability, and appropriateness to the theme. Potential contestants are welcome to visit the museum to get ideas for a logo.

Entries must be postmarked by Nov. 14. Complete contest rules and the certificate of authenticity, which must accompany each entry, are available at www.etsu.edu/railroad.

The winner and finalists will be notified by Nov. 23, and will be invited to the formal logo unveiling and presentation of awards on Nov. 24 at the Tennessee Credit Union branch located at 310 Sunset Drive in Johnson City. An entry fee of $5 must accompany each submission from contestants age 14 years and up; no entry fee is required for those age 13 and under. Checks must be made payable to ETSU.

Entries, fees, and certificates of authenticity should be mailed to Dr. Fred Alsop, director, George L. Carter Railroad Museum, Box 70703, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614.

A $500 Grand Champion prize will be given, as well as $250 for first runner up, $100 for second runner up, $50 for third runner up, and a Carter Railroad Museum engineer’s cap for honorable mention. The prize money is being provided by the Tennessee Credit Union.

For more information, contact Hobie Hyder, MEMRR Logo Contest Committee chair, at (423) 213-4067 or juliehobie@earthlink.net, or Alsop at (423) 439-6838 or alsopf@etsu.edu.

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