This event is SOLD OUT. Please contact us if you’d like to added to the waiting list.
The magic of Tennessee’s oldest town comes alive during the Progressive Dinner hosted by the Heritage Alliance. This year’s dinner takes place on the evening of Saturday, December 3rd. Multiple seating times are available at 4:00 pm and 7:40 pm. The 6:00 pm seating is already sold out.
Now in its 44th year, the Progressive Dinner is a unique event, combining fine food, rich history, and great entertainment. Proceeds from the Progressive Dinner help ensure that the educational programs of the Heritage Alliance remain accessible to a wide range of audiences. Proceeds from this year’s event will help with preservation and maintenance projects at the Oak Hill Schoolhouse and the Duncan House.
The evening begins at the freshly painted Oak Hill Schoolhouse. The school is the setting for the Oak Hill School Heritage Education Program. Take a step back in time and enjoy some delicious appetizers in 1893. The schoolhouse will be decorated for a country Christmas. The soup course takes place in a pre-Civil War frame house in Mill Spring Park. Dinner will be served at the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, and dessert will take place in a beautifully restored brick home on East Woodrow Avenue. Both of the homes featured this December have not been on the dinner in at least twenty years.
The Progressive Dinner has become a traditional start to the holiday season for many people throughout East Tennessee and surrounding states. Seasonal music by several of our area’s finest musicians, including the ever popular Jonesborough Novelty Band, gourmet food, memorable camaraderie, and great fun are the hallmarks of this popular event. This event typically sells out, so make sure you get your tickets today! The 6:00 pm seating is already sold out.
Ticket price is $100.00 per person. Seating is limited. On-line ticketing through the Town of Jonesborough is available at jonesborough.com/tickets. You can also make a reservation by calling (423) 753-1010. If you would like to make a reservation for a table of 6 or more, please contact the Heritage Alliance directly.
The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to the preservation of the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region and to providing educational experiences related to history and heritage for a wide range of audiences. For more information, please call our office at (423) 753-9580, or contact the organization via email at info@heritageall.org. Further information can also be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/.
History Happy Hour on Nov 17th looks at Appalachia and Opera
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.
Heritage Alliance Board Meeting on Nov 10
The next Board of Trustees meeting for the Heritage Alliance will take place at 8:00 am on Thursday, November 10th at the McKinney Center in Jonesborough. The public is welcome to attend. The agenda for the meeting can be accessed by clicking here.
SOLD OUT 44th Annual Progressive Dinner on December 3rd
This event is SOLD OUT. Please contact us if you’d like to added to the waiting list.
The magic of Tennessee’s oldest town comes alive during the Progressive Dinner hosted by the Heritage Alliance. This year’s dinner takes place on the evening of Saturday, December 3rd. Multiple seating times are available at 4:00 pm and 7:40 pm. The 6:00 pm seating is already sold out.
Now in its 44th year, the Progressive Dinner is a unique event, combining fine food, rich history, and great entertainment. Proceeds from the Progressive Dinner help ensure that the educational programs of the Heritage Alliance remain accessible to a wide range of audiences. Proceeds from this year’s event will help with preservation and maintenance projects at the Oak Hill Schoolhouse and the Duncan House.
The evening begins at the freshly painted Oak Hill Schoolhouse. The school is the setting for the Oak Hill School Heritage Education Program. Take a step back in time and enjoy some delicious appetizers in 1893. The schoolhouse will be decorated for a country Christmas. The soup course takes place in a pre-Civil War frame house in Mill Spring Park. Dinner will be served at the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School, and dessert will take place in a beautifully restored brick home on East Woodrow Avenue. Both of the homes featured this December have not been on the dinner in at least twenty years.
The Progressive Dinner has become a traditional start to the holiday season for many people throughout East Tennessee and surrounding states. Seasonal music by several of our area’s finest musicians, including the ever popular Jonesborough Novelty Band, gourmet food, memorable camaraderie, and great fun are the hallmarks of this popular event. This event typically sells out, so make sure you get your tickets today! The 6:00 pm seating is already sold out.
Ticket price is $100.00 per person. Seating is limited. On-line ticketing through the Town of Jonesborough is available at jonesborough.com/tickets. You can also make a reservation by calling (423) 753-1010. If you would like to make a reservation for a table of 6 or more, please contact the Heritage Alliance directly.
The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to the preservation of the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region and to providing educational experiences related to history and heritage for a wide range of audiences. For more information, please call our office at (423) 753-9580, or contact the organization via email at info@heritageall.org. Further information can also be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/.
History Happy Hour Takes a Look at Victorian Mourning Customs in October
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.
True and Chilling Tales Tours
Come and learn some truly chilling history in Jonesborough this October. Have you ever wondered what happened to horse thieves in the late 1700s, or wanted to know why Andrew Jackson fought a duel in Jonesborough? What about a body discovered in a rain barrel in town? What’s the story behind that? Hear these very true tales and more during this unique tour that’s perfect for an October evening.
The True and Chilling Tales Tour will take place at 7:00 pm on October 17th, 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, 31st and November 1st. Your guide will lead you down Main Street with the “book of poor souls.” Mind your step, lest you end up in that book, too. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased through the Town of Jonesborough’s ticketing system at jonesborough.com/tickets. The tour will last an hour. Groups are limited to only 16 people, so make sure you buy your tickets in advance. The tours will depart from the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum on Main Street. The tours will go on rain or shine. This tour is rated PG-13 for content and is not recommended for children under 13 years of age. Please note these stories are very true and some of them are very gross and unpleasant and may be upsetting. Listeners beware.
Follow the Heritage Alliance and Chester Inn Museum on Facebook to receive up to date information. The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to the preservation of the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region and to providing educational experiences related to history and heritage for a wide range of audiences. The Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission. For more information, please call our office at (423) 753-9580, or contact the organization via email at info@heritageall.org. Further information can also be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/.
History Happy Hour Talks Thomas Edison on September 15th at 6:30pm
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.
Heritage Alliance Trivia Night Gets Spooky This October with the McKinney Center
The Scare-itage Alliance is teaming up with the McSpooky Center to put a haunting spin on History Trivia Night. Join us on October 1st for a frighteningly fun Halloween Trivia contest with questions to test your knowledge of all things ghostly and historical!
The festivities will take place on Saturday, October 1st at 7:00 pm at the McKinney Center with general history-based trivia questions, friendly competition, a costume contest, and a ton of fun! Not a “history buff?” Don’t worry! These questions cover a wide range of topics and categories and include something for everyone. We will have questions about Halloween, ghost stories, movies, and more! Main Street Café will also be on hand to sell a frightening assortment of beers.
It’s only $5.00 per person to play! Tickets are available online through the Town of Jonesborough’s ticketing system at Jonesborough.com/tickets. You can also call the Heritage Alliance at 423.753.9580 to order tickets. Solo play is allowed. Teams are encouraged, but the person limit per team is 8 people. Heritage Alliance and McKinney Center staff will host the event, tallying points and administering prizes to the winners. The event is family-friendly and open to all ages. The costume contest will occur during intermission. Dress up and try to win a prize!
For more information on the Heritage Alliance please call our office at 423.753.9580. 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/. For more information on the McKinney Center and their mission please call their office at 423.753.0562 or visit their website at https://mckinneycenter.com.
FULL: Homeschool Day at Oak Hill School on Sept 19th and 20th
THESE DATES ARE FULL. We are happy to add you to a waiting list.
Registration form HERE.
The Heritage Alliance is excited to offer a homeschool day at the historic Oak Hill School on September 19th and 20th. The award winning Oak Hill School Heritage Education program is the only experiential learning program of its type in this region, and homeschool students are encouraged to come and experience history with the Heritage Alliance in Tennessee’s Oldest Town.
Oak Hill School was built in 1886 to serve the community of Knob Creek. The building served local residents until it was closed in the 1950s. The school building was moved the seven miles from Knob Creek to Jonesborough and placed in its current location behind the Visitors Center. Today, Oak Hill School invites students to come for a day-long experience and enroll in school in 1893. Reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography – even the pledge of allegiance – are all as they were prior to the turn of the last century.
School will last from 9:00am – 2:00pm on Monday, September 19th and Tuesday, September 20th. This program is limited to 26 students, grades 1st – 12th, so sign up now!
Registration form for September 19th and 20th is available here. The cost is $5.00 per student for the day at Oak Hill School. Students must register in advance. We cannot accept registration the day of the event. This event has a minimum registration of 12 students in order for it to take place.
A Spot on the Hill Shares New Stories in the Old Jonesborough Cemetery in October
A Spot on the Hill, the original, research-based play returns this October to the Old Jonesborough Cemetery. Now celebrating its eighth season, this edition features new characters. New stories include Ella Ford Freeze who ran the Dew Drop Inn Restaurant in Bristol, Zachariah Lyle Burson who donated the bell to the First Baptist Church, and James Edward Shipley who died in a tragic and bizarre accident. You’ll meet them and many more! Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on. Seats are not provided at the cemetery. Come and listen to real stories of real lives among real tombstones.
Performances for A Spot on the Hill will take place at 6:30 p.m. on October 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22rd. There will be a 2:00 p.m. matinee performance on October 15th in the Jonesborough Visitors Center and a 2:00 pm matinee in the cemetery on October 22nd. The indoor performance on October 15th is ADA accessible. Tickets are limited, and sell out fast, so make sure you buy yours today. Tickets are $10.00 and proceeds benefit the Heritage Alliance’s educational programs and initiatives, including ongoing programming in Jonesborough’s historic cemeteries.
Audience members should arrive 15 minutes prior to show time. Parking is available at the First Baptist Church and downtown. It is a short walk up East Main Street to the cemetery from the First Baptist Church lot. A golf cart courtesy shuttle will be available for guests who need it. This program is not suggested for children less than 10 years of age. In case of inclement weather, the show will be canceled and audience members will be notified in advance.
To purchase tickets, please call the Jonesborough Visitor’s Center at 423.753.1010. Tickets can also be purchased online at jonesborough.com/tickets.
Ninth Annual Constitution Week Bell Ringing at Oak Hill School on September 11th
On Sunday, September 11th, the State of Franklin Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), are hosting their Ninth Annual Bell Ringing in honor of Constitution Week. The event will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Hill School, located at 214 East Sabin Drive in Jonesborough across from the Jonesborough Public Library. The program will focus on the history of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution that reads, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
The program will include music, speeches, and observance of the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001, national tragedy. Several heritage groups will be participating, including the Kings Mountain NSSAR, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, and participation from other local chapters of the NSDAR.
Please bring your own chair and a bell to ring! Seating will not be provided on site. The Daughters of the American Revolution began the tradition of celebrating the Constitution. In 1955, the DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted by Congress and signed into law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The State of Franklin Chapter of the NSDAR has been based in Jonesborough since 1929.