Knoxville has a rich and varied past — and it’s not alone. The city is located in a historically rich region of Appalachia and it is home to many organizations and societies dedicated to preserving the past. Here are a few ways you can take advantage of Knoxville’s rich selection of historical resources.
McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture
No list of important museums around Knoxville would be complete without UT’s very own McClung Museum, which is located adjacent to the Communications Building at 1327 Circle Park Drive. The McClung Museum offers a wide catalog of historical artifacts with origins from Ancient Egypt to Native American cultures — and even prehistoric fossils.
In addition to its regular exhibits, the McClung Museum regularly plays host to special collections. Currently, the museum is showing an exhibit of art from India’s indigenous communities. Also, a selection of distinguished lecturers frequently hold public talks at the museum, further widening Knoxville’s access to historical information.
The East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum
Located in the heart of downtown Knoxville at 601 S Gay St., the East Tennessee Historical Society’s museum offers a unique and in-depth look on the history of the region. Admission for adults is only $5 normally but is free on Sundays. The Museum’s heart is its permanent collection, consisting of over 13,000 historically-important artifacts.
On top of this extensive collection, it also offers rotating featured exhibits in the Rogers-Claussen Features Gallery. The East Tennessee Historical Society presents talks and genealogical workshops on site in computer labs and lecture halls, making it an exceptional source for regional history.
Jack Neely and the Knoxville History Project
Founded by Knoxville journalist and historian Jack Neely, the Knoxville History Project is an educational non-profit dedicated to the expansion and promotion of research on Knoxville’s rich historical background. The Knoxville History Project is currently Knoxville’s only city-focused historical organization, though it covers neighborhoods all around the county in addition to Knoxville’s historic city center.
The next event that KHP will be offering will occur on Thursday, February 21st, at Maple Hall, and will be focused on a biography about Knoxville’s only United States Supreme Court Justice: Edward Terry. In addition to these talks, the Knoxville History Project hosts and sponsors a variety of events such as literary festivals and luncheons. Information about their programming and historical resources can be found at the Knoxville History Project’s website, as well as the Knoxville visitor’s center at 301 S Gay St.
The Beck Cultural Exchange Center
The Beck is a non-profit museum dedicated to African-American history in Knoxville and East Tennessee in general. It is located just a few minutes from downtown Knoxville at 1927 Dandridge Ave., a renovated historical mansion. The Beck offers extensive artifacts and information about Knoxville’s past and present African-American residents, as well as a collection of local genealogical information and a small library.
The museum occasionally sponsors local events, such as the upcoming free “The Heat of a Red Summer” event (hyperlink: https://www.utdailybeacon.com/city_news/entertainment/beck-cultural-exchange-center-plans-book-relaunch-bijou-event-for/article_851ff7a8-3388-11e9-a924-73c44ced1fdb.html) on Feb. 25 at the Bijou Theatre.
James White’s Fort
Located at 205 E Hill Ave, James White’s Fort is a historical site and museum that is housed in Knoxville’s first residential home: the original frontier cabin of Knoxville’s founder James White. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, which buys a complete tour of the grounds and a chance to immerse oneself in history by actually seeing how people lived during colonial times.
Additionally, James White’s Fort offers visitors a chance to experience history in a hands-on way with occasional live demonstrations of frontier settler activities like open hearth cooking, blacksmithing and yarn-spinning.
