February may be Black History Month, but Black history is American history, and in Knoxville there’s plenty to go around for the whole year. This post highlights the Black history of this area along with attractions that have temporary and permanent exhibits, murals, statues, parks, and more. Beck…
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What was Christmas like 100 years ago? Many things in Knoxville were different. There was no TV, no Internet, and for most of the decade, no movies with sound. But the holidays were really not so different from the holidays today. In fact, you don’t need a whole lot of imagination to walk around…
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History enthusiasts from around the world come to Knoxville to explore the many historical homes, buildings, sites and artifacts our city has to offer. Those with ties to the region ALSO come here to explore their OWN family history via genealogical research. I’m going to take you through a personal…
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For summer vacation, Knoxvillians often go to the beach, if they don’t prefer to go even farther away. But there was a time when many Americans came to Knoxville to spend the summer. Before the Smokies opened in 1930, our region’s biggest draw was our springs resorts, advertising either relaxation…
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Blount Mansion Each year, the Historic House Museums of Knoxville celebrate Statehood Day by inviting the public into the hallowed halls of their stately manners, antebellum mansions, and frontier fortifications to experience the stories of those who lived there firsthand. On June 3, 2023, not only…
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Take a Sunday-afternoon stroll to behold Knoxville's ecclesiastical architecture! Churches are often the most striking buildings in any city, and that’s certainly the case in Knoxville. The stories behind downtown’s historic churches make them interesting to look…
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There are so many things to do and see in Knoxville that any short list is likely to seem pretty random. And it goes without saying that a walk around downtown that includes Gay Street, Market Square, and the Old City is an essential. That’s just what you do when you come to Knoxville. But the…
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The Town of Farragut is in west Knox County and has much to offer visitors. It is named after Admiral David Farragut, who uttered the now-famous command of “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” during the Battle of Mobile Bay in the Civil War. Farragut was born on the north side of the river…
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On Gay Street there’s a cineplex and a historic movie theater, and just across the street, at the Museum of East Tennessee History, is a comprehensive exhibit about the history of film here. It’s called “Lights! Cameras! East Tennessee!” and it’s pretty fascinating. Movies, still a favorite form of…
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Market Square today is known for its lively farmers’ market, open-air musical events, and its array of restaurants and nightspots. But this month, Knoxville will honor its heritage in the history of American journalism. As only a few people know, major publisher Adolph Ochs, founder of the modern…
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