Knox Heritage

06/13/2026

👀✨ The 2026 Scruffy City Soirée will be here before you know it! This September 11, Knox Heritage will honor The Courtland Group as the Preservationists of the Year for their nearly 3 decades of work revitalizing historic buildings and underutilized urban neighborhoods throughout East Tennessee.

Amongst their iconic past projects is one of downtown Knoxville’s most distinctive buildings: Keystone Place, also known as the Keyhole Building. 🗝 Built in 1893, the structure has operated as physicians’ offices, a boarding house, and the Knoxville Business College over the years. It was also accepted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Following The Courtland Group’s beautiful 2002 restoration, the building has since served as condominiums in the heart of the downtown Theatre District. The units maintain many aspects of original character, such as the façade, interior exposed brick, and hardwood floors. 😍

Secure your Soirée tickets today at secure.qgiv.com/for/2026scruffycitysoiree—don't be the one to miss Knoxville's biggest night for historic preservation!

Photo Credit 📷 (Slide 2) Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection

06/11/2026

What happens when a historic cemetery is neglected, damaged, or threatened by development? 🪦 Historic cemeteries are irreplaceable records of our past, offering insights into local history, genealogy, culture, and the people who shaped our communities. Preserving these important places takes knowledge, advocacy, and community involvement.

✨ Join Knox Heritage for a Cemetery Preservation Workshop on Saturday, July 18, from 10:00AM until 12:00 p.m. at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center!

You'll learn about the importance of preserving historic cemeteries, community advocacy efforts, and best practices for protecting these important cultural resources. ❤️ Featured speaker Graham Perry of the Tennessee Historical Commission’s Historic Cemetery Preservation Program will discuss preservation techniques, legal considerations, and available state resources. A panel of preservation professionals and advocates will also share their experiences and insights.

📣 Have a question about historic cemeteries, preservation, or stewardship? Leave it in the comments, and we may ask it during the panel discussion!

RSVP for this FREE event today at knoxheritage.org/events/historic-cemetery-workshop.

06/10/2026

🎉 This is not a drill—tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Scruffy City Soirée! Join us in honoring The Courtland Group for their work revitalizing historic buildings and underutilized urban neighborhoods throughout East Tennessee.

This festive evening will feature live music, delicious food, a live auction, and more! Most importantly, it will raise funds to support Knox Heritage’s advocacy, education, and preservation initiatives, protecting the places that tell our community's story and make Knoxville feel like home.

We also extend a very special THANK YOU to Lawson Family Foundation, Presenting Sponsor of the Soirée for the fourth year in a row! This fabulous and impactful event would not be possible without them. 🥰

To explore ticket options and sponsorship opportunities, visit secure.qgiv.com/for/2026scruffycitysoiree!

06/09/2026

At the 2026 Preservation Awards, the City of Knoxville Mayor’s Award was presented to McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects (MHM)! 🥰🎉 This honor recognizes projects that make exemplary contributions to the advancement of historic preservation in Knoxville.

Located in Knoxville’s Emory Place Historic District, the century-old Sanitary Laundry building at 625 N. Broadway entered a transformative new chapter last year. As the name suggests, the building hosted a dry-cleaning business from 1925-1993, when it then sat abandoned until MHM undertook a meticulous restoration and renovation. The historic structure now serves as their new home, as well as a spot for other commercial tenants and community gathering spaces.

Due to lingering dry-cleaning chemicals on the site, MHM was tasked with balancing occupant safety and the desire to save as many of the building's original features as possible. The completed project undoubtably celebrates the original materials and layout while also providing a healthy and collaborative work environment. 👏

06/04/2026

😮 It's less than 2 weeks until an exciting Knox Heritage members-only event!

On June 17, our members will receive an exclusive inside look at the Tennessee Theatre's recently completed expansion into 612 Gay Street. ✨ Over tasty sips and snacks, guests will explore the more-than-100-year-old building, which has served a variety of purposes over the years.

Interested in attending? Become a Knox Heritage member today at the link in our bio! 🧡💙💛🤎

06/04/2026

🪦 Knox Heritage is hosting a Cemetery Workshop on Saturday, July 18th from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.

Featured speaker Graham Perry, representing the Tennessee Historical Commission’s Historic Cemetery Preservation Program, will share insights on cemetery preservation techniques, legal considerations, and available state resources. 🩶 The workshop will also include a panel discussion featuring professionals and advocates actively working in cemetery preservation, stewardship, and public history.

This FREE workshop is open to the public and will be of interest to preservationists, genealogists, neighborhood advocates, historians, students, and anyone interested in local history and cultural heritage! Sign up today at knoxheritage.org/events/historic-cemetery-workshop ✨

06/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at the 2026 East Tennessee Preservation Awards! 😊✨ We were thrilled to honor 10 organizations and individuals for their outstanding preservation work across East Tennessee. We're so grateful for the nearly 200 of you who made this night so special!

📷 Photos from the evening are now available via Facebook album at facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=KnoxHeritage&set=a.1399259862230335! Be sure to share with your family and friends and tag us! 😉

06/02/2026

05/31/2026

You only have hours left to claim your special Knox Heritage membership benefits! 👀

By joining during the month of May, not only will you receive all of the regular benefits of membership (exclusive tours + free, discounted, and/or advanced event tickets)—you’ll also receive several special perks:

✨ Our limited-edition members-only sticker
🍦 An invite to our first-ever New Member Mixer ice cream social at Historic Westwood
🎭 An invite to a behind-the-scenes tour of the TN Theatre's newly restored 612 Building

Most importantly, your membership will directly support preservation efforts across our region. As more people discover our scruffy little city, protecting Knoxville and East Tennessee’s unique charm is more important than ever. We’re at a crucial point where we can either move forward together, balancing preservation and progress, or lose the irreplaceable identity afforded by our historic resources forever.

If you value the spaces, stories, and spirit that make Knoxville feel like home, we hope you’ll join our friendly, enthusiastic and visionary community today at knoxheritage.org/support-3/memberships! 🥰

05/28/2026

Located on the edge of the Old City, 311 Morgan Street is home to an important piece of Knoxville history. Built in 1875, the Peabody School was the first purpose-built public school in Knoxville, constructed just four years after the city established its public school system. Funding came in part from philanthropist George Peabody, whose foundation donated $7,500 to Knoxville schools, though many citizens proudly pointed out that local taxpayers funded much of the project as well. 👏

The school was formally dedicated on April 6, 1875, with a procession from the Bell House School to the new building and a ceremony led by Mayor Peter Staub. ✨ Peabody School quickly became popular, enrolling nearly 200 students during its first term. Despite early challenges such as overcrowding, financial struggles within the school system, and even a small fire scare in 1876, the school thrived for decades and earned recognition for its students’ academic achievements.

In 1920, the school board closed Peabody, ending its use as a full-time schoolhouse. The building continued to serve the community afterward as a meeting hall, voting site, and classroom space for Knoxville High School programs. ❤️ In 1930, it was purchased by the Central Labor Council, which added the front wings seen today.

For more information about the building's past—and the parcel's uncertain future due to a recent development proposal—check out this Knoxville History Project article: knoxvillehistoryproject.org/2025/10/06/the-old-red-schoolhouse.

Photo Credit 📷 The Knoxville History Project (Slides 2, 3), Knoxville News Sentinel (Slide 4)