Life in a School

I live in a school and volunteer for my community. When my two daughters graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2018, my wife Amy and I decided to downsize and move from the place we called home for 23 years: Fort Mill, SC. We still have a lot of friends and family in the Charlotte, NC area. Thus, we did not want to move too far away. Jonesborough, TN was the perfect place and only a 3 hour 20 minute drive away. I have long roots in NE TN. My mother, Betty Collins was born in this area, but when her father Alonzo Bowen passed in 1941 when she was 8 months old, her family left the area to find work and to serve our country. In the early 1800s, my Revolutionary War ancestor, Reuben Bowen lived in nearby Hancock County, TN and collected his war service pension via regular visits to Jonesborough.

Jonesborough boasts history, music, storytelling, walkability, pleasant weather, great views, affordability, minimal taxes, and a great sense of community. I remembered Jonesborough when I visited in 1998 while working for the Census Bureau. It was easy to convince Amy to relocate here — Amy was all-in as soon as we arrived in town.

We purchased one of the thirteen condos at Academy Hill on Main Street in downtown Jonesborough. The old Jonesborough High School was converted to condos in 1980. Our 1,800 sq. ft. 2 BR / 2 BA condo occupies the space that formerly housed the school library, a large classroom, and a wide hallway. The unit retains its historic charm with hardwood floors, 12-foot ceilings, and 8 oversized windows. For more information visit www.academyhill.us.

History & Genealogy

In the early 1990s, I began researching local history and genealogy, and teaching people about the treasures of local history. A recognized local historian in Maryland and Tennessee, a genealogist, and a web designer, I have been featured in newspapers, magazines, and various online venues. I have compiled historical reports on a large number of properties and authored many histories on significant individuals and families.

My signature project on the CollinsFactor website is “East New Market, Maryland, A Comprehensive History Online.” The work is currently being converted to book form. The project can found at www.eastnewmarket.org.

Professional Background

I retired from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2016 after 29 years of service and joined RTI International in a similar position for another six years. During my career, I designed surveys, created software design specifications, supervised data collection, and managed staff on several multi-million dollar projects. During the 2000 Census, I indirectly managed 7,000 employees. Currently, my primary volunteer work is serving as the Chairman of Jonesborough's Historic Zoning Commission.