Posts

Picnicking with History on May 13th at Knob Creek Historical Museum

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Get close with local history on Saturday, May 13th as the Heritage Alliance hosts its second annual “Picnicking with History” at the Knob Creek Historical Museum in Johnson City. Last year the picnic took us to Telford. This year, we’re visiting one of Johnson City’s oldest communities. This event will include a tour of the historic grounds and buildings and a chance to have a picnic lunch on the lawn. Tickets include the tour, admission to the museum, and a boxed lunch from Main Street Café.

Per the Knob Creek Historical Museum’s website, “The Knob Creek Vineyards and Historical Area is located in the heart of Johnson City on acreage that has been owned by the Sherfey family since 1885. The site is a functioning farm and vineyard that has been in continual operation for over 200 years earning Knob Creek the designation of being a Century Farm by the state of Tennessee. In addition to the vineyards and farm at Knob Creek, there is a two story museum on site, as well as several historical structures including a log cabin, caboose, tobacco farm, weaver’s cottage, and historic dairy cellar. Some of the buildings, such as the Duncan Cabin, have been well preserved on the site and are available for tours.”

The site was home to George and Margaret Holley. They were instrumental in preserving local history, especially the history of the Knob Creek Community. They started the museum and today their daughter Deanna Carey cares for the collection of thousands of artifacts. Please note that these are historic buildings and they include stairs, uneven ground, and tight spaces. Good walking shoes are required for this event.  “This is the perfect event for Mother’s Day weekend,” says Heritage Alliance Executive Director Anne Mason. “Bring mom out for a lovely picnic and some fascinating history.” This event will also be a chance to see the Knob Creek Museum before it opens for its 2023 season.

There are four tour and lunch slots available on May 13th at 11:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:00 pm. There are only 20 tickets available per slot, so make sure you book your tickets fast. The cost is $30.00 per person. This event is a unique fundraiser for the educational programs of the Heritage Alliance and the Knob Creek Historical Museum. You can purchase tickets online through the Town of Jonesborough’s ticketing system at Jonesborough.com/tickets. You can also call the Visitor’s Center at 423.753.1010.

The Knob Creek Historical Museum is located at 243 Denny Mill Road. You can learn more about them by visiting their website at http://www.experienceknobcreek.com. 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 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/. Be sure to follow the Heritage Alliance on Facebook and Instagram for updates about events and programs.

CANCELLED: Heritage Alliance Trivia Night Gets Festive

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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

The Heritage Alliance is ho-ho-hosting its riotously fun trivia night in December with questions to test your knowledge of all things festive and historical!

 

 

Join us at the Jonesborough Visitors Center on Thursday, December 16th at 7:00 pm for holiday-themed and history-based trivia questions, friendly competition, 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 holiday celebrations, movies, music, and more!

 

Teams (of up to six people) can register up until the evening of the event, which will kick off at 7:00 PM and last about an hour and a half. We request that teams check in with the hosts prior to the event. Joe Spiker, Head Docent of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum, and Megan Cullen Tewell, Programming Coordinator at the Heritage Alliance, will host the event, tallying points and administering prizes to the winners. The event is family-friendly and open to all ages. Cost is $5 per person, although additional donations are appreciated. Register to play now at http://www.heritageall.org/trivia/.

 

You can sign your team up for trivia at Heritageall.org. The link to sign up for the event is at the top of the page. Like and follow the Heritage Alliance on Facebook for more information.

 

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

True and Chilling Tales Tours in Jonesborough this October

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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 18th, 20th, 27th, 28th, 31st, and November 1st. Your guide will lead you down Main Street with her “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.

A Spot on the Hill Returns to the Old Jonesborough Cemetery in October

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– A Spot on the Hill, the original, research-based play returns this October to the Old Jonesborough Cemetery. Now celebrating its seventh season, this edition features new characters. New stories include members of the Panhorst family, John Simpson who owned the Mansion House, Spanish American War veteran William Armstrong, and Lucy Stuart who has a secret she’s been keeping.  You’ll meet them and many more! Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on. 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 15th, 16th, 22nd, and 23rd. There will be 2:00 p.m. matinee performances on October 16th and 23rd. We have made some changes this year in light of the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, and there will be no indoor performances. Tickets are limited, and sell out fast, so make sure you buy yours today. Tickets are $8.00 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.

Heritage Alliance Trivia Night Gets Spooky This October

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The Heritage Alliance, or should we say Scare-itage Alliance is bringing its riotously fun trivia night back in October with questions to test your knowledge of all things spooky and historical!

 

Join us at the Eureka Inn in Jonesborough on Friday, October 8th at 7:00 pm for general history-based trivia questions, friendly competition, and a ton of fun! The Eureka Inn will host both events in their outside courtyard and feature a “light bites” menu.

 

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, witches, movies, and more!

 

Teams (of up to six people) can register up until the evening of the event, which will kick off at 7:00 PM and last about an hour and a half. We request that teams check in with the hosts prior to the event. Joe Spiker, Head Docent of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum, and Megan Cullen Tewell, Programming Coordinator at the Heritage Alliance, will host the event, tallying points and administering prizes to the winners. The event is family-friendly and open to all ages. Cost is $5 per team, although additional donations are appreciated. This is an outdoor event (weather permitting), but we ask that you wear a mask until seated at your table, and we ask that anyone who enters the Eureka wears a mask. Costumes are encouraged.

 

You can sign your team up for trivia at Heritageall.org. The link to sign up for the event is at the top of the page. Like and follow the Heritage Alliance on Facebook for more information.

 

 

Eighth Annual Constitution Week Bell Ringing at Oak Hill School

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On Sunday, September 12th, the State of Franklin Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), are hosting their Eighth 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 First Amendment to the Constitution that reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The program will honor the freedom of religion with Reverend Samuel Doak’s speech at the Battle of Kings Mountain, the freedom of the press, and the freedom of assembly. 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.  Another treat of this year is the ringing of a very large locally restored antique bell cast in Ohio, and believed to have rung in church members for worship in upper East Tennessee.

 

The event will follow CDC guidelines. Social distancing will be observed on the lawn of the schoolhouse, and there is plenty of space for guests to spread out. Please bring your own chair and a bell to ring! Seating will not be provided on site. Oak Hill School is currently undergoing a restoration funded through a preservation grant from the NSDAR. The historic building was a school and a site of assembly, so it’s the perfect location to celebrate the First Amendment and the Constitution.

 

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.

 

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.  Additional information can also be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/.

Social Media Round Up 3/30/2020 – 04/05/2020

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We hope you all are doing well. The Heritage Alliance is posting a lot of content online right now, both on our website and our social media pages. We decided to do a weekly round up so you all can find what you’re looking for in a more expedient manner. This will also help you know what posts to be on the lookout for.

 

Website – heritageall.org

Cholera Epidemic Primary Source Activity

Historical Photo Exploration #1: What’s Going On Here?

Chester Inn Museum Coloring Book

 

Facebook – Heritage Alliance

Weekly posts about local businesses in Jonesborough, the history of the buildings, and what the businesses are offering now in the midst of Covid 19.

Weekly posts about recreation through time, including bicycling and hiking.

Photos and posts from our archival collection.

Sears Modern Home Historic House Hunt – Round One 1908-1914

 

Facebook – Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum

Weekly posts reflecting back on the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918 with primary sources from Washington County.

 

YouTube – Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum

Social Distancing with the Victorians – Video series examining how the Victorians would have practiced social distancing.

Make Your Own Buzz Saw Toy Video

 

You can also follow the Heritage Alliance on Instagram @heritage_alliance. Check back here every week for another recap!

 

Jonesborough Cholera Epidemic of 1873 Primary Source Activities

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Cholera was one of the most deadly and feared diseases of the nineteenth century. An infected person could show no symptoms for several days, spreading the bacteria without even realizing it. In some cases, cholera caused vomiting and diarrhea so severe that a patient died within hours of showing signs of the illness.

In 1854, Dr. John Snow found a link between people who came down with cholera and contaminated water sources during an outbreak of cholera in London, but his theory that the disease spread through water sources was not widely accepted or well understood. In 1883, Robert Koch used a microscope and finally identified the specific bacteria that cause cholera.

In 1873, when cholera broke out in New Orleans, doctors could do little to stop the spread of the disease or treat sick patients. People could not prevent cholera, but they tracked the deaths as the disease spread along transportation and trade routes. Cholera spread up the Mississippi to Memphis, where state prisoners working on the railroad contracted cholera and carried it back to Nashville. From Nashville, the outbreak spread along the rail lines, causing deaths in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Greeneville. In Jonesborough, anxious readers followed the approach of the disease in the pages of the Herald & Tribune.

Primary Source Activity:

You are now a history detective, use the newspaper articles from 1873 to follow along as the cholera epidemic sweeps through Jonesborough. Pick a name from the Citizens’ List below. While reading the paper, see if you can determine what happened to the citizen you picked. Were they a survivor, or were they a casualty of the epidemic? The accompanying Organizational Chart will help you keep track of the epidemic and your thoughts as you read. The Post-Activity Questionnaire will encourage you to look to other sources for additional research.

Note to parents, you can add an additional question to the Organizational Chart. You can also add two more names to the Citizens’ List.

 

Here are all the materials you will need to complete this activity. This activity is recommended for fifth grade and above. There are several, good vocabulary words included in the newspaper, you’ll most likely find them as you read along.

Herald & Tribune Primary Source

Citizens’ List

Organization Chart

Post-Activity Questionnaire

 

Some other thoughts to consider, how has our understanding of germs and diseases changed since 1873? Who were the helpers during the cholera epidemic? What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic? How did the epidemics of the late 1800s change the United States? Are we as a society today better prepared for a massive outbreak of a disease?

For additional research, this is a great link – https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/history-of-cholera

Above all, remember that historians are here to remind you that a future is possible. Moments such as the cholera epidemic might be difficult to look back on and study, but they teach us so much. Historians look to the past to give context to the present and to help inform the future.

Events

Picnicking with History

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Get close with local history on Saturday, May 13th as the Heritage Alliance hosts its second annual “Picnicking with History” at the Knob Creek Historical Museum in Johnson City. Last year the picnic took us to Telford. This year, we’re visiting one of Johnson City’s oldest communities. This event will include a tour of the historic grounds and buildings and a chance to have a picnic lunch on the lawn. Tickets include the tour, admission to the museum, and a boxed lunch from Main Street Café.

Per the Knob Creek Historical Museum’s website, “The Knob Creek Vineyards and Historical Area is located in the heart of Johnson City on acreage that has been owned by the Sherfey family since 1885. The site is a functioning farm and vineyard that has been in continual operation for over 200 years earning Knob Creek the designation of being a Century Farm by the state of Tennessee. In addition to the vineyards and farm at Knob Creek, there is a two story museum on site, as well as several historical structures including a log cabin, caboose, tobacco farm, weaver’s cottage, and historic dairy cellar. Some of the buildings, such as the Duncan Cabin, have been well preserved on the site and are available for tours.”

The site was home to George and Margaret Holley. They were instrumental in preserving local history, especially the history of the Knob Creek Community. They started the museum and today their daughter Deanna Carey cares for the collection of thousands of artifacts. Please note that these are historic buildings and they include stairs, uneven ground, and tight spaces. Good walking shoes are required for this event.  “This is the perfect event for Mother’s Day weekend,” says Heritage Alliance Executive Director Anne Mason. “Bring mom out for a lovely picnic and some fascinating history.” This event will also be a chance to see the Knob Creek Museum before it opens for its 2023 season.

There are four tour and lunch slots available on May 13th at 11:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:00 pm. There are only 20 tickets available per slot, so make sure you book your tickets fast. The cost is $30.00 per person. This event is a unique fundraiser for the educational programs of the Heritage Alliance and the Knob Creek Historical Museum. You can purchase tickets online through the Town of Jonesborough’s ticketing system at Jonesborough.com/tickets. You can also call the Visitor’s Center at 423.753.1010.

The Knob Creek Historical Museum is located at 243 Denny Mill Road. You can learn more about them by visiting their website at http://www.experienceknobcreek.com. 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 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/. Be sure to follow the Heritage Alliance on Facebook and Instagram for updates about events and programs.

Evening at the Museum

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On Thursday, April 13th, guests will have a chance to stay late at the Jonesborough & Washington County History Museum located inside the Jonesborough Visitor’s Center. The Heritage Alliance will be hosting a special reception from 6:00 – 7:30 pm for their current exhibits, including: “Eight Myths About Appalachia,” “Fifty Years of the National Storytelling Festival,” and “Elihu Embree and Nancy: Principle vs. Practice.” We invite the community to come out for some history, music, games, and a chance to tell us what you would like to see in your local museum. The Bluebirds, a local bluegrass music act, will provide entertainment for the event and light refreshments will be served.

 

The Jonesborough & Washington County History Museum has been located in the Visitor’s Center since the 1980s. It has undergone several renovations, but some aspects have not changed since the museum opened over thirty years ago. The Heritage Alliance maintains the museum, and we would love to hear from the public as we work to make improvements to the space. Our organization hosts temporary exhibits every year, and we are excited to showcase our recent displays about Appalachian myths and stereotypes, storytelling, and The Emancipator.

 

“A county museum is where a community gets to tell its story. We hope that folks will come and visit the museum and share their ideas with us,” Executive Director Anne Mason encourages. This evening is also the perfect time to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Heritage Alliance, especially in the museum collections and archives. The Heritage Alliance always welcomes individuals interested in working with physical collections (such as transcribing letters, accessioning materials, organizing items, etc.) and with digital collections (scanning, uploading, tagging documents and photos).

 

Items currently on display in the museum include artifacts from the National Story League on loan from the Storytelling Resource Place, a beautiful collection of Cherokee China, and the clock that used to keep time in the 1847 Washington County Courthouse. Join us on April 13th for a special evening full of history, music, and fun. The Heritage Alliance would especially like to acknowledge and thank Humanities Tennessee, who generously funded “The Eight Myths About Appalachia” exhibit via a 2022 SHARP Grant, courtesy of the NEH.

 

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.  Additional information can also be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/.