Round 2: Historic Jonesborough License Plate

The “Historic Jonesborough” License Plate Committee, the Heritage Alliance (HA), and the Jonesborough Genealogical Society (JGS) have selected the “Historic Jonesborough” specialty license plate based on your valuable feedback. The selected plate is the Chester Inn. So we are now ready for Round 2 of the Preference and Comment period.

Some factors considered in the decision include: The Chester Inn is the oldest commercial structure in the oldest town in Tennessee. The Chester Inn is original to around the time the town was founded and has been fully restored. The Chester Inn is unique to Jonesborough. Every county has a Courthouse, but there is only one Chester Inn. The Courthouse and Cupola are indeed beautiful and iconic and our Courthouse may be the best looking in Tennessee. However, our current Courthouse was built in 1913. Thus, the Chester Inn which was built in 1797 is 124 years older than the Courthouse. The plate also received the most support from among those who commented or stated a preference on Facebook, Instagram, via email, and in person.

 

We need your feedback for Round 2. We made some changes to the Chester Inn design based on your comments. Some who commented loved the blue used with the Courthouse plate, so we created a blue sky version of the Chester Inn. Some who commented loved the subdued green version as it currently appears. It would look great on the back of a vehicle. The third choice adds more color, while keeping the understated appeal. All three versions now have the original upper porch rail that was recently added back to the Chester Inn. Please share your preference(s) and comment.

 

Historic Jonesborough License Plate

 

The Heritage Alliance in conjunction with the Jonesborough Genealogical Society (JGS) has approval by the State of Tennessee to create an official Tennessee specialty license plate – “Historic Jonesborough, Oldest Town in Tennessee”.

The first step is to pick our license plate from among the three finalists.  We need your input.  Which plate do you like best?

Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1032954090958088 to provide your preference and comment by August 31st. 
Once the final plate is selected, the Heritage Alliance will launch a campaign to obtain 1,000 pre-orders for the plate before June 30, 2024. For all who sign-up the license plate will replace your standard dark blue Tennessee license plate. Once 1,000 pre-orders are obtained, the plate will be put into production and available to all vehicle owners in Tennessee. In addition, the Town of Jonesborough, the Heritage Alliance, the Jonesborough Genealogical Society, along with several local organizations and businesses will also be offering incentives for all who sign up for this Specialty License Plate. Stay tuned for more information.

The Historic Washington County courthouse was built in 1913 on the site of several former courthouses. This beautiful and iconic courthouse draws your immediate attention when you visit Historic Jonesborough. Even though every county has a courthouse, we believe our courthouse is one of the most attractive in the State. Jonesborough would not exist if it weren’t for the courthouse.

 

The Chester Inn is the oldest commercial structure in the oldest town in Tennessee. Dr. William P Chester built the Chester Inn in 1797. The Inn was known as the finest inn on the Tennessee frontier and hosted three US Presidents – Andrew Jackson, James K Polk, and Andrew Johnson. Today the Chester Inn is a State Owned Historic Site and Museum operated by the Heritage Alliance.

 

The cupola atop the courthouse is beautiful and iconic. Not every county courthouse has a cupola. The cupola is used by the town, the Storytelling Center, Music on the Square, and other local entities as a symbol of Jonesborough. It is infrequent that you see a photo of Jonesborough where the courthouse cupola isn’t the focus or somewhere in the background. The cupola was erected in 1913 at the time the current historic courthouse was erected.

Once the final plate is selected, the Heritage Alliance will launch a campaign to obtain 1,000 pre-orders for the plate before June 30, 2024.  For all who sign-up the license plate will replace your standard dark blue Tennessee license plate.  Once 1,000 pre-orders are obtained, the plate will be put into production and available to all vehicle owners in Tennessee.  In addition, the town of Jonesborough, the Heritage Alliance, the Jonesborough Genealogical Society, along with several local organizations and businesses will also be offering incentives for all who sign up for this Specialty License Plate.  Stay tuned for more information.

Issuance of the Specialty License Plate will help the Heritage Alliance operate their museums and historic sites, provide support for the preservation of our region’s architecture, and document the history of northeast Tennessee.

The Heritage Alliance operates the Chester Inn State Historic Site, the Washington County History Museum, the Oak Hill School, the Christopher Taylor House, the Chuckey Depot, the Ashe Street Courthouse, and the Salvage Warehouse.

The Heritage Alliance advocates and provides support for the preservation of our region’s architecture, developing innovative museum experiences that illuminate the history of the region.  The Heritage Alliance provides unique history education opportunities for both the people who live in our region and the people who visit.

The JGS hosts the annual Washington County Heritage Festival in Jonesborough.  JGS also offers monthly Tennessee history presentations and genealogy classes for the public. Learn more about the Jonesborough Genealogical Society by clicking here.