East Tennessee Historical Society

06/18/2026

The Museum of East Tennessee will be closed Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The Museum will resume normal operating hours Saturday, June 20.

06/17/2026

ETHS Education team member Sequoia Conkling joined Tennessee State Coordinator Nikki Ward this week at the National Contest at the University of Maryland. National History Day is a premier academic program that engages students in historical research, interpretation, and creative presentation, culminating in a national competition featuring nearly 3,000 students from across the United States and around the world. We're proud to support Tennessee students as they showcase their outstanding work on the national stage. Go Team Tennessee! 📚🏆

06/17/2026

06/15/2026

Don’t forget — this Wednesday, June 17, the East Tennessee Historical Society is hosting a truly fascinating program: Civil War Photo Forensics with author and researcher Scott Hippensteel.

Hippensteel’s groundbreaking work reexamines some of the most iconic Civil War photographs, uncovering new insights into how early battlefield photographers like Alexander Gardner, Mathew Brady, and Timothy O’Sullivan captured — and sometimes staged — the images that shaped our understanding of the war.

📸 Lecture + Book Signing
🕰️ June 17, 2026
📍 East Tennessee History Center

If you love history, photography, or a good mystery unraveled through science, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Learn more: https://www.easttnhistory.org/event/civil-war-photo-forensics/

06/14/2026

Discover the Heart of the Little Tennessee River Valley! 🌄
📖 Valley So Wild: A Folk History by Alberta and Carson Brewer
Step into a journey where the breathtaking peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains meet the rich tapestry of human history. This enchanting book takes you through:
🏞️ 134 miles of the Little Tennessee River’s path—from Georgia's Blue Ridge to Tennessee
👣 Stories of resilient pioneers who tilled the soil, herded cattle, and braved the wild
🍓 The sensory joys of picking wild strawberries, feeling the mist of waterfalls, and wandering untouched trails
More than just history, Valley So Wild is a love letter to the Smokies—preserving the voices, traditions, and landscapes that make this region extraordinary.
📚 Whether you're a hiker, history buff, or mountain dreamer, Valley So Wild will transport you to the heart of Appalachia.
🛒 Order your copy today and take the Smokies home with you!

https://shop.easttnhistory.org/products/valley-so-wild

06/13/2026

📣 Volunteers Needed for the East Tennessee History Fair! 📣

Help bring history to life at the East Tennessee History Fair on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville!

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with this exciting community event featuring living history demonstrations, live music, crafts, film screenings, children's activities, and more. Whether you can help greet guests, assist with activities, support exhibitors, or lend a hand behind the scenes, your time will make a difference.

Volunteering is a great way to connect with your community, support local history, meet new people, and help create a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

Interested? Sign up today and join us in celebrating East Tennessee's rich heritage!

🔗https://easttnhistory.app.neoncrm.com/forms/east-tennessee-history-fair-volunteer-sign-up?opportunityId=248

📍 East Tennessee History Center, Knoxville
📅 August 15, 2026

06/12/2026

🎉 Celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Knoxville! 🎉

Beck Cultural Exchange Center in partnership with the City of Knoxville Special Events, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission of Knoxville, TN, and community partners bring you two days of celebration and fellowship.

🎶 Thursday, June 18 | 7:00 PM
Kick off the festivities with a FREE concert in Market Square featuring Dancing Machine: America’s #1 Tribute Band to The Jacksons. Bring your lawn chair, family, and friends for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and community.

✊🏾 Friday, June 19
🚶🏾‍♀️ MLK Jr. Parade/March – 10:00 AM
📍Chilhowee Park

🎉 Juneteenth Celebration – 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Dr. Walter Hardy Park

Everyone is welcome! Bring your family, invite your friends, and be part of this meaningful celebration.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NhYTfSKiY/

06/11/2026

Step into the story of America’s founding at the American Revolution Experience, coming to the East Tennessee History Center June 30–July 7!

This immersive traveling exhibit features engaging displays, interactive digital kiosks, compelling stories, and fascinating artifacts that bring the people and events of the Revolutionary era to life. Whether you're a history enthusiast, student, or curious explorer, this is a unique opportunity to connect with the nation’s past as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Please note: the East Tennessee History Center will be closed July 3 and July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Plan your visit and experience history in a whole new way!

📍 East Tennessee History Center, Knoxville
📅 June 30 – July 7, 2026

Hosted by Samuel Frazier Chapter, NSDAR.
Presented by the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, in local partnership with the East Tennessee Historical Society.

06/10/2026

On this day in East Tennessee history, June 10, in 1977, James Earl Ray, convicted killer of Martin Luther King, Jr., escapes from Brushy Mountain State Prison. He is apprehended 3 days later.

06/09/2026

History lovers, Civil War enthusiasts, and photography buffs—don't miss this fascinating program next week!

Join author and researcher Scott Hippensteel for Civil War Photo Forensics on Wednesday, June 17, from 12:00–1:00 PM at the East Tennessee History Center. Discover how modern scientific techniques are revealing new insights about some of the most iconic Civil War photographs and challenging long-held assumptions about how these images were created. A book signing will follow the presentation.

📍 East Tennessee History Center, Knoxville
🗓 Wednesday, June 17
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM

Bring a friend and join us for an intriguing look at history through a new lens!

Learn more: https://www.easttnhistory.org/event/civil-war-photo-forensics/