Dayton is celebrating 100-year anniversary of Scopes Monkey Trial
A Day Away By Mike Steely
Something special is happening in Rhea County in July to mark the 100th anniversary of a very important event there, a trial that brought national attention to the courthouse in Dayton.
Today, the historic courthouse, built in 1891, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was recently renovated in preparation for the event. One hundred years ago, a local teacher was tried for violating Tennessee’s anti-evolution legislation in what was to become known as the “Scopes Monkey Trial.”
That trial, actually a publicity stunt by local businessmen to draw attention to their city, began on July 12 in 1925. By the end of the trial, it had drawn national media attention. Most people don’t remember that the teacher was found guilty of violating Tennessee Law by a local jury, but that decision was later overturned. The trial pitted attorneys Clarence Darrow against William Jennings Bryan in a heated debate about evolution versus creationism.
Dayton is a bit more than an hour southwest of Knoxville, and the historic courthouse has the original courtroom and a Scopes Trial museum in the basement.
The Rhea Heritage Foundation is sponsoring events during the two weeks beginning on the 10th, and two re enactments of the trial on Fridays and Saturdays, July 11 and 12, and July 18-19.
Tom Davis, vice president of the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation, told The Focus that tickets are going fast and, as of last Tuesday, tickets were still available for the July 18th and 19th shows.
“The 19th show is being sold as a ‘Dinner with the Cast’ package. Following the play, the audience will be seated under tents in the courthouse lawn and served a special dinner. The cost is $45 and Chattanooga Sound, a big band group, will provide period music.”
He said the first weekend features family fun around the courthouse lawn, and the second weekend features a 1920s Classic Car display.
Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17, will feature a symposium of speakers on various aspects of the trial and related topics.
John Thomas Scopes was the accused and, although vindicated when the conviction was overturned, he had a hard life after being denied a teaching job in the Volunteer State. He became an oil industry employee and died in 1970 after he wrote a book about his life.
In March, the Preservation Foundation partnered with Bryan College, the Rhea Historical Society, the Rhea Economic and Community Development Office and the county office of tourism to offer a lot of related activities celebrating the centennial of the Scopes Trial.
Whether you plan to attend the play or simply visit Dayton during those two weeks, you may want to plan now. The publicity sought by those local businessmen a century ago seems to have extended well beyond expectation.
The easiest way to reach Dayton from Knoxville is to take I-75 south to the main Athens exit and then go west along Highway 30. You could return by taking Highway 27 North to Harriman and then I-40 back home.
If you’d like more information about Dayton, Rhea County, or the Scopes 100th anniversary, you can call the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation at (423) 680-9896 or email admin@rheaheritage.com.
