Statehood Day Festival Returns to Marble Springs State Historic Site on Saturday, May 31st

 

Marble Springs State Historic Site invites the public to its annual Statehood Day Festival, taking place Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This free, family-friendly celebration marks Tennessee’s 1796 founding with a full day of music, hands-on history, food, and community storytelling.

 

Hosted on the grounds of Governor John Sevier’s historic homestead, the festival brings Tennessee’s past to life through living history, regional crafts, local cuisine, and cultural talks—making it a favorite gathering for history buffs, families, and curious neighbors alike.

 

 

Cornbread Cook-Off Debut – Judged by Rural Metro Firefighters

 

A new addition to this year’s festival is our inaugural Cornbread Cook-Off and Recipe Swap, judged by local heroes from our local Rural Metro Fire Station. Both home cooks and food businesses are invited to submit entries—including a challenge from festival vendor Ola’s Southern Cousine, known for their award-worthy cornbread.

• Drop-off: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Judging: 12:30–1:30 PM
• Winner Announced: Shortly after judging concludes
• Sign-Up: https://forms.gle/FkdekBPeESm1LJFJA

 

Rising Appalachia will host a cornbread tasting station on site featuring both modern and historic recipes, alongside other delicious local fare available for purchase.

 

 

Event Features:

• Live Appalachian Music & Dulcimer Demonstrations by the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club — performing and educating visitors on the importance of dulcimers in Appalachian music throughout the day

 

• Historic Craft Demonstrations — Stop by to see traditional crafters at work and browse their wares, available for a good barter (using modern currency, of course)

 

• Tennesseans for Living History — This passionate group of interpreters brings Tennessee’s early days to life. Whether they’re drilling with young militia recruits or passing the time like it’s 1796, visitors of all ages are invited to ask questions, jump in, and explore the rhythms of frontier life.

 

• Games & Hands-On Family Crafts — available in our historic tavern and around the festival grounds

 

• Park Rangers from Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Will be hosting a “Celebrating Tennessee” table with games and outreach

 

• Food Sales by Ola’s Southern Cousine and Rising Appalachia

 

 

Educational Talks & Lectures (Held in our Open-Air Pavilion):

 

10:30–11:15 AM
“Fork Connections to South of the River” – Jan Loveday Dickens
Drawing from her book Forgotten in the Fork, Dickens explores how the history of Knoxville’s Fork community intersects with larger regional narratives.

 

 

11:30 AM–12:15 PM
“Introduction to Historic Preservation” – Hollie Cook, Knox Heritage
This talk explains why preserving historic spaces matters, covering core principles, community benefits, and inspiring local success stories.

 

 

2:15–3:00 PM
“Notorious Rebel, Incurable Opportunist: Gen’l Joseph Mabry during the Civil War” – Patrick Hollis, Executive Director, Mabry-Hazen House Museum
Dubbed “the liveliest historian in town” by The Knoxville Ledger, Hollis shares the remarkable story of Joseph Mabry—a man who began the Civil War as a secessionist, switched sides midstream, and ended up profiting alongside Union officers. This presentation offers a gripping look into the moral gray zones of wartime East Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

“Statehood Day is our way of connecting with and celebrating our local community” says Danielle Carey, Education & Program Coordinator at Marble Springs. “We’re honoring not just Tennessee’s history, but the people and traditions that carry it forward—musicians, cooks, makers, storytellers, and neighbors. And this year, we’re doing it with cornbread!”

 

 

Additional talks, participants, and schedule updates will be shared on Marble Springs’ social media and the Marble Springs website.

 

Admission is free and all are welcome.

 

For more information, visit www.marblesprings.net or call (865) 573-5508 during operating hours.

 

Marble Springs State Historic Site is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee Historical Commission.

 

For additional information, please contact Danielle Carey at (865) 573-5508 or via email at danielles@marblesprings.net.