Over the weekend, the history of the region was on proud display at the East Tennessee History Fair. Perusing the library stacks became a thing of the past to learn how those in Appalachia lived centuries ago. Just past the Market Square Farmers’ Market, tables of antiques brimmed into the streets and WWII soldiers intermingled with early pioneers of the land.
A living history timeline included French and Indian War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Cold War, and Korean and Vietnam War reenactors, where attendees could wander up to the individuals and inquire of the character’s historical background.
Mary and Abraham Lincoln, or Tom and Sue Wright as others know them, could be spotted strolling down the street in a 19th century frock and top hat. The Wrights have been dressing up as the Lincolns and attending reenactment events for nearly nine years. The couple is highly involved with the Association of Lincoln Presenters (ALP) and associated with the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable. Both Tom and Sue Wright live near Hodgenville, KY, the birthplace of the 16th President of the United States, and grew up being closely involved with the history of Lincoln.
“You meet people from all over the world,” Tom Wright said. “You’d be surprised at all the people [we’ve met] from England, Spain, and Australia knowing a lot about Lincoln. All these foreigners know just about as much as most of the people here. We just have fun! We try to teach history and make sure Lincoln never dies.”
Storytelling and cake was available in celebration of Davy Crockett’s birthday and the Tennessee Theatre’s historic film festival. Bus tours to the historic homes of Blount Mansion, James White’s Fort, and Mabry-Hazen were also free for attendees. A walking tour was available covering influential, “misbehaving” women in history, highlighting those who fought for education, equal working rights, equal treatment for the handicapped, and women’s suffrage. Jack Neely, a local historian, gave a South Knoxville Waterfront tour as well.
Attendees of the History Fair on August 18.
A “History Hound” contest was judged by two UT professors and one local news anchor, validating the pups with best historic costume and most East Tennessee spirit. The East Tennessee History Center was open with current exhibits on Sergeant York, Voices of the Land, and specialists in furniture, quilts, pottery, and baskets.
Carl Faught, a volunteer with the East Tennessee Historical Society, has been giving tours to elementary kids in the area for 15 years. While the fair exhibited a wide range of cultural and societal aspects throughout the centuries, Faught expressed the importance of reading to understanding the history of Knoxville.
“History that we know is based on the written word,” Faught explained. “Unfortunately, most of it is about wars, but the history of people is not about wars. It’s about who married who, their children, where they lived and what they did for a living. History is all about reading, research, writing, trying to understand.”
While the fair brought to life what usually is uncovered through books, it showcased the intriguing history of Knoxville to those who might have never flipped the page.
Tennessee Railroad Members share information at the East TN History Fair on August 18.
