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\u201cThe history of Wilson County is very dear to me,\u201d he said. \u201cAll the branches of my family have Wilson County roots. I have six ancestors who were Revolutionary [War] soldiers who made their home in Wilson County. Many places in Wilson County bear my family ancestors\u2019 names: Watertown, Suggs Creek, Callis Road, to name a few.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan grew up on his family\u2019s farm, and he spent his childhood shadowing his grandfather Sullivan through the fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe would tell me stories about our family history and of the community,\u201d Jordan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those stories planted a love of Wilson County history in his life, and it grew each year as he pursued his education locally. Jordan attended Leeville Elementary School, Lebanon High School, and Cumberland University, where he earned his bachelor\u2019s degree. He also studied organ at Vanderbilt University\u2019s Blair School of Music, which led Jordan to become a university organist at Cumberland, where he still serves today. He worked at, and eventually retired from, LifeWay Christian Resources as well. All of this gave him an experiential edge when he began working on research and preservation in Wilson County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His wife of 41 years, Judy Gaskin Jordan, recently retired as vice president of finance at Cumberland University and was named vice president of finance emeritus in April. They have two children \u2014 Lauren Pack, a second grade teacher, and Dr. Bradley Jordan, a university professor. The couple has also been blessed with five grandchildren. An interesting family connection is that Lauren\u2019s husband is a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Leonard Fite, making the Jordan family\u2019s connection to the Fite-Fessenden House even stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan\u2019s involvement with the History Associates of Wilson County began 50 years ago this past April, when several founding members invited him to attend meetings and join the group. He was quickly elected secretary-treasurer, a position he held for many years before becoming board president in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jordan has overseen a significant transformation at the Fite-Fessenden House. Early in the process, the Associates hosted fundraisers to support the house remodel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur first fundraiser was truly a candlelight affair,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had no electricity or water. The wallpaper was hanging down in places on the walls and ceiling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A $90,000 grant enabled major renovations, and improvements have continued over the years, including a new roof, new outdoor lighting, and, most recently, a modern kitchen that Jordan had been dreaming about for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe new catering kitchen has been a real boost for us,\u201d he said. \u201cIt supports Lunch and Learn events, receptions, classes, and wedding events.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The board hosts historical exhibitions and events through its programming. The museum\u2019s recent America 250 exhibit, celebrating the nation\u2019s 250th birthday, brought in over 600 visitors. Another program, \u201cWithin These Walls,\u201d invites members to research the home\u2019s artifacts and share discoveries with the community, creating a collaborative project for locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think it has been a very successful project of researching our history, making so many connections we did not know, and sharing it with the community,\u201d Jordan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lebanon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/10\/3-5-1024x683.jpg\")
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