History Happy Hour on Nov 17th looks at Appalachia and Opera

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Join the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum for the final History Happy Hour of the 2022 season. Savannah Bennett from The Reece Museum will present her topic, “Susannah and Cold Mountain: Examining the Portrayal of Appalachian Culture in Opera.”

 

History Happy Hour will take place at 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 17th at the International Storytelling Center, located next door to the Chester Inn Museum. Savannah Bennett is the new Collection Manager at The Reece Museum which is located on campus at East Tennessee State University. Savannah received her Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at Western Carolina University in 2020, and will receive her Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies as well as a Heritage Interpretation and Museum Studies Certificate at ETSU in 2022. Her research examines the portrayal of the Appalachian region and its people, namely women, in two popular operas. The History Happy Hour presentation will also be available via livestream on the Chester Inn’s Facebook page. It is presented by the Heritage Alliance and produced independently of the International Storytelling Center. It is free and open to the public!

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission. For more information on the Chester Inn Museum, History Happy Hour, or the Heritage Alliance please call our office at 423.753.9580 or the Chester Inn Museum at 423.753.4580. You can also contact the organization via email at info@heritageall.org. Additional information about the Heritage Alliance and its mission can be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/. Be sure to follow the Chester Inn and Heritage Alliance Facebook pages for updates about events at the Chester Inn and other Heritage Alliance programs.

 

History Happy Hour Takes a Look at Victorian Mourning Customs in October

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Join the Heritage Alliance and Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum as we welcome Roberta Pipitone for her presentation, “19th Century American Mourning Rules, Customs, and Symbolism” at 6:30 pm on Thursday, October 20th. Ms. Pipitone was a theatre teacher for 30 years, but she has been a collector and researcher of all things mourning for forty years. She also plans to bring items to accompany her presentation, including jewelry, post-mortem photos, and mourning pieces displayed in American Victorian homes. This presentation will be in-person at the International Storytelling Center, located next door to the Chester Inn Museum. This presentation will also be available via livestream on the Chester Inn’s Facebook page. It is presented by the Heritage Alliance and produced independently of the International Storytelling Center. It is free and open to the public!

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.

History Happy Hour Talks Thomas Edison on September 15th at 6:30pm

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This month’s History Happy Hour features retired history teacher Leonard Pipitone and his collection and knowledge all about inventor extraordinaire Thomas Edison!

Mr. Pipitone’s presentation is entitled “Thomas Alva Edison and the Origins of Recorded Sound.”  Originally from California, Mr. Pipitone’s sideline has been researching everything Edison and collecting early phonographs and music for over forty years.  He is a current, long-time member of the Antique Phonograph Society and a former member of the London Phonograph Society. “Thomas Alva Edison and the Origins of Recorded Sound” is a glimpse into the great inventor’s process, from the accidental discovery that spawned the first “Talking Machine” through the development of the later phonographs which would change the world of entertainment forever. In addition to his knowledge, Mr. Pipitone will be bringing several phonographs as well as cylinder and disc records representative of popular music styles and themes from the 1880s through the 1920s.

The program will take place at the International Storytelling Center at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 15th. The program is free and open to the public. The presentation will also be livestreamed to the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page.

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.

Jonesborough’s 19th Century Brick Buildings: Handmade Beauties

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After a record breaking History Happy Hour in July 2022 with Dr. William Kennedy, he agreed to record an encore presentation of his program. Follow this link to the YouTube video on the Chester Inn Museum’s channel.

 

Here is a list of resources he used for his presentation.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum to Talk About “Mountain Airwaves” at History Happy Hour

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The Birthplace of Country Music Museum returns to History Happy Hour on Thursday, August 18th at 6:30 pm to talk about “Mountain Airwaves.”

 

History Happy Hour favorites Dr. Rene Rodgers and Scotty Almany will be on hand to share a new and exciting topic. “Mountain Air Waves: Stories of Local and Regional Radio” will explore the history of early country radio, especially the local and regional stations that have been part of that music history. Radio impacted the development of musical genre and shared a wide variety of popular “barn-dance” shows that aired cross the United States, and it has been integral to the careers of many country and bluegrass musicians, past and present. From WLS and WSM to WCYB and WBCM – and beyond – radio was and continues to be a vibrant center for music making.

 

The program will be in-person in the board room of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum, and it will be streamed live on the Chester Inn’s Facebook page. The program will begin at 6:30 pm. The program is free and open to the public!

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.

History Happy Hour Talks Historic Buildings with Dr. Kennedy on July 21st

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History Happy Hour is exited to feature a program with Dr. William Kennedy on Thursday, July 21st.

 

Dr. Kennedy has been instrumental in the Jonesborough historic preservation movement since the 1970s, and he was one of the founders of the Historic Jonesborough Foundation which went on to form the Heritage Alliance.

 

His session on July 21st is entitled “Jonesborough’s 19th Century Brick Buildings: Handmade Beauties.” He will show how skilled artisans mixed locally available raw materials to form the beautiful brick buildings that we continue to enjoy. He will also show the art of design in the patterns of walls and specialized structures of buildings. He’ll show you beautiful, close-up details you probably have never noticed and tell you the meanings of those details.

 

 

The program will begin at 6:30 pm in the Chester Inn Museum’s board room, and participants can join in-person or stream live on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page. The program is free and open to the public!

 

History Happy Hour takes place on the third Thursday of the month through November at 6:30 pm. The full schedule for the year is available at heritageall.org and on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page.  This program offers insightful history to the public, fosters a collaborative relationship with various individuals and organizations, and increases the role of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum as a community meeting place.

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.

History Happy Hour Welcomes Back Woodworker Curtis Buchanan on June 16th

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History Happy Hour is exited to welcome back master woodworker Curtis Buchanan on Thursday, June 16th at 6:30 pm!

 

The Heritage Alliance hosted Curtis in 2018 with a record breaking History Happy Hour attendance. The master woodworker will be back this June to demonstrate traditional, wooden spoon making. This program will take place outside on the patio of the International Storytelling Center. The program will begin at 6:30 pm and participants can join in-person or stream live on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page. The program is free and open to the public!

 

Curtis Buchanan offers classes on traditional, woodworking techniques. His chairs, furniture, spoons, and more can be purchased throughout the area.  His Windsor Chairs are on display in the Tennessee State Museum, the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, the Tennessee State Governor’s Mansion, and Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello. For more information, visit his website at www.curtisbuchananchairmaker.com.

 

History Happy Hour takes place on the third Thursday of the month through November at 6:30 pm. The full schedule for the year is available at heritageall.org and on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page.  Put the dates on your calendar, because you never know what you’re going to learn at History Happy Hour. This program offers insightful history to the public, fosters a collaborative relationship with various individuals and organizations, and increases the role of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum as a community meeting place.

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.

History Happy Hour with Black in Appalachia on May 19th

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History Happy Hour is exited to host William Isom with Black in Appalachia on Thursday, May 19th at 6:30 pm!

 

The Heritage Alliance has partnered with Black in Appalachia in the past, but we’ve never had them present at History Happy Hour. William Isom will talk about “Enslavement to National Emancipation: Black Data from Washington County, Tennessee 1860 – 1870.” The program will begin at 6:30 pm and participants can join in-person or stream live on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page. The event will take place in the Chester Inn’s board room, located in the back addition of the building. The program is free and open to the public!

 

Black in Appalachia: Research, Education & Support is a non-profit that works in collaboration with public media, residents, university departments, libraries, archives and community organizations to highlight the history and contributions of African-Americans in the development of the Mountain South and its culture. They do that through research, local narratives, public engagement and exhibition. Black in Appalachia is a community service for Appalachian residents and families with roots in the region. William Isom is an East Tennessee native & the director of Black in Appalachia. He coordinates the project’s research, community data base development, documentary film & photography production, oral history collection, and educational events with residents. For more information, visit their website at www.blackinappalachia.org.

 

History Happy Hour takes place on the third Thursday of the month through November at 6:30 pm. The full schedule for the year is available at heritageall.org and on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page.  Put the dates on your calendar, because you never know what you’re going to learn at History Happy Hour. This program offers insightful history to the public, fosters a collaborative relationship with various individuals and organizations, and increases the role of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum as a community meeting place.

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission. For more information on the Chester Inn Museum, History Happy Hour, or the Heritage Alliance please call our office at 423.753.9580 or the Chester Inn Museum at 423.753.4580. You can also contact the organization via email at info@heritageall.org. Additional information about the Heritage Alliance and its mission can be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/. Be sure to follow the Chester Inn and Heritage Alliance Facebook pages and the Chester Inn Museum’s YouTube channel for updates about events at the Chester Inn and other Heritage Alliance programs.

 

History Happy Hour is Back In-Person at the Chester Inn Museum on April 21st

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History Happy Hour is IN-PERSON and back at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum on Thursday, April 21st at 6:30 pm!

Join us as we welcome back Dr. Ashley Rattner from Tusculum University. She’ll be sharing the fascinating history of “Shaker Dance at P.T. Barnum’s American Museum.” The program will begin at 6:30 pm and participants can join in-person or stream live on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page at that time. The event will take place in the Chester Inn’s board room, located in the back addition of the building. The program is free and open to the public!

 

Based on a color lithograph of ca. 1826 by Anthony Imbert, entitled Shakers near Lebanon, via NYPL

 

History Happy Hour takes place on the third Thursday of the month through November at 6:30 pm. The full schedule for the year is available at heritageall.org and on the Chester Inn Museum’s Facebook page.  Put the dates on your calendar, because you never know what you’re going to learn at History Happy Hour. This program offers insightful history to the public, fosters a collaborative relationship with various individuals and organizations, and increases the role of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum as a community meeting place.

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.

History Happy Hour Sixth Season Announcement

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History Happy Hour is back for its sixth season. Programs will take place the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm. This program is free and open to the public. What will we learn this year? Specific topics will be announced for some programs as we get closer to the date. Check back here for more information as it becomes available.

April 21st – Ashley Ratner, Tusculum University – “Shaker Dance at P.T. Barnum’s American Museum” at Chester Inn Museum

 

May 19th – William Isom, Black in Appalachia at Chester Inn Museum

June 16th – Curtis Buchanan – Traditional, Wooden Spoon Making at International Storytelling Center Plaza

 

July 21st -Dr. William Kennedy – Historic Bricks at the Chester Inn Museum and Eureka Inn courtyard

August 18th – Rene Rogers, Birthplace of Country Music Museum at International Storytelling Center

 

September 15th – Leonard Pipitone – “Edison and the Origins of Recorded Sound” at International Storytelling Center

October 20th – Roberta Pipitone -Victorian Mourning Customs at International Storytelling Center

November 17th – Spenser Brenner & Mara Reynolds, The Reece Museum – Exhibits and Digitization at International Storytelling Center