~ from the East Tennessee Foundation
The East Tennessee Foundation (ETF), in partnership with Pershing Enterprises, commemorated a new chapter in its history on Presidents’ Day with a flag retirement and dedication ceremony at its new headquarters, Perkins Place.
Local Scouts from the Great Smoky Mountain Council of Scouting America assisted with the ceremony, respectfully retiring a United States flag and a State of Tennessee flag before raising new colors over the historic building. Scouts Francis Tipton (Troop 47), Andrew LaPointe (Troop 20), Alvaro Pint (Troop 146), Patrick Finn (Mt. Leconte District Director), and Hugh Nystrom (Mt. LeConte District Chair) participated in the ceremony, which included the Pledge of Allegiance and remarks about the tradition and meaning of proper flag retirement, as well as history about Perkins Place.
The ceremony marked not only a symbolic moment for the building, but also a milestone year for ETF as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1986, the Foundation has spent four decades making lives better and communities stronger, along with strengthening nonprofits, supporting donors, and improving the quality of life across the region. The move to Perkins Place represents the first time in ETF’s history that the Foundation has a permanent home.
“As we celebrate 40 years of impact across East Tennessee, putting down roots at Perkins Place shows our commitment to being deeply invested in the future of East Tennessee,” said Keith Barber, President and CEO of the East Tennessee Foundation. “Having a permanent home will allow ETF to take a prominent role as the center for philanthropic leadership in our region. It will serve as a place designed to bring people together to strengthen organizations and a promise to help make lives better and communities stronger for generations to come across East Tennessee.”
Perkins Place, originally opened in 1927 as Perkins Elementary School and served the Marble City community for nearly 60 years. The school was named in honor of Angie Villette Warren Perkins, the first woman elected to the Knoxville Board of Education and the first woman in Tennessee to serve as president of a school board when she was elected in 1918.
After the consolidation of Knoxville City and Knox County schools in 1982, the building was later purchased
and restored in 1992 by Mr. Ed Pershing, founder of Pershing Enterprises and co-founder of Pershing Yoakley & Associates. Perkins Place was repurposed as a corporate headquarters, with care taken to preserve its historic exterior, cupola, gymnasium, stage, and architectural details.
In October 2025, a partnership between Pershing Enterprises and the East Tennessee Foundation acquired the building. ETF officially moved into Perkins Place on January 5, 2026.
“Our hope is that Perkins Place will be a space where ideas are sparked, partnerships are formed, and communities across East Tennessee are strengthened for generations to come,” Barber said.
Guests attending the ceremony were invited to tour the renovated space following the program.
The East Tennessee Foundation’s new office is located at 525 Portland Avenue in Knoxville.
For more information about the East Tennessee Foundation and its 40th anniversary initiatives, visit etf.org.
