New Memorial Honors Formerly Enslaved Woman at Rippa Villa

Issue #520

August 08, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Partly cloudy w/ High of 89, low of 69.

📰 New Memorial Honors Formerly Enslaved Woman at Rippa Villa

🏎️ Victory Box Slot Car Racing Opens This Saturday at The Factory

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

New Memorial Honors Formerly Enslaved Woman at Rippa Villa

A powerful moment of remembrance took place Thursday morning at Rippa Villa, as the City of Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin Trust unveiled a new bronze bust honoring Anna McKissack Bunch, a woman whose life journey took her from enslavement to freedom—and whose legacy continues to inspire.

Anna was born into slavery in the home of William McKissack, the father of Susan McKissack Cheairs. In the 1880s, she and her family returned to Rippa Villa, where Anna worked as a cook and her husband was employed as a sawyer. Her resilience and determination helped her build a better life for her family during the Reconstruction era.

"Anna was a woman of strength and resilience," Rippa Villa shared in a recent post. "She embraced freedom with all its privileges and challenges and built a good life for her family. Her story is an important part of the Rippa Villa story, and we are very excited to have her as a visible presence in the home once again."

The project was led by Eric Jacobson of the Battle of Franklin Trust in collaboration with descendants of Anna Bunch. Over the past year, Anna’s gravesite was located in Spring Hill Cemetery, and genealogical research traced her lineage to present-day family members—some of whom played key roles in the Civil Rights Movement.

“This morning, the City of Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin Trust proudly unveiled the brand-new bust of Anna Bunch,” the city announced on Thursday. “Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin Trust are proud to be able to properly tell the history of this area, being able to shine a light on those who may have been lost throughout the years. Anna will now be forever immortalized in Rippa Villa.”

Anna Bunch’s story adds a vital and humanizing dimension to the region’s Civil War-era history—one that will now live on visibly and meaningfully at the very place where it unfolded.

Victory Box Slot Car Racing Opens This Saturday at The Factory

Looking for something fun and a little different to do with the kids—or just channel your inner child? A brand new hands-on attraction is opening this Saturday at The Factory at Columbia: Victory Box Slot Car Racing.

Located right next door to Glovebox (run by his daughter and son-in-law), local resident Dave Shutts has created an immersive slot car experience designed to bring people together for friendly, fast-paced competition.

The idea was sparked by nostalgia and a little serendipity.

“I was walking through the Factory one day and saw a space for lease,” Shutts explained. “I started thinking outside the box—what doesn’t this place have that it needs? And I thought, it needs something fun. I remembered slot car tracks from when I was a kid in the ’60s, and I thought—this could be really cool.”

While the initial space turned out to be too expensive, his son-in-law offered up a room next to Glovebox that was being used for storage. It was just the right size—and just like that, the idea became a reality.

Shutts and his wife, Debbie, teamed up on the design. “I was originally laying it out to look like the Spanish Grand Prix,” he said, “but Debbie took one look and said, ‘That’s too bland.’ Next thing you know, she’s adding buildings and details—she’s been doing Christmas villages for 30 years, so she really brought the whole thing to life.”

But this isn’t just a simple slot car loop. Victory Box features a modern digital racing system where cars can switch lanes, simulate fuel usage, and even have working headlights and taillights. “You can actually tinker with the cars—adjust the weight, change the tires, learn racing techniques. It’s fun, and it’s challenging,” he added. “Even our granddaughter Willow loves it—and she’s good!”

Victory Box will officially open this Saturday during Second Saturday at The Factory at 9:00 AM, and Dave plans to keep it open regularly—especially on weekends. “The hours may vary at first, but if you come by during the daytime, there’s a good chance we’ll be open.”

Victory Box Slot Car Racing is located inside The Factory at Columbia (101 N. James Campbell Blvd), next door to Glovebox. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, it’s a new way to play in Columbia.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, August 8th

Saturday, August 9th

Sunday, August 10th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 14 - 23: Tennessee State Fair (Lebanon)
Aug 22: Tennessee Titans First Pre-Season Home Game
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, August 8th

Shannon McCue, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Hannah Hokit, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Karli & James, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
TBA, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Escape, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 9th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Box of Rox, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Trevor Clark, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Brooks Huntley, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
NKahootz, Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Benji & The Jets, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 10th 

The Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
CJ Conklin, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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