June 1, 2016 marks the 220th anniversary of Tennessee’s admission as the 16th state in the union. East Tennessee’s most important cultural heritage sites are partnering to celebrate Statehood Day on Saturdays, May 28, June 4, and June 11. The sites include places of historical significance in the exciting journey from the creation of our country to the founding of our state. The Historic Homes of Knoxville include: Blount Mansion, Crescent Bend, James White’s Fort, Mabry-Hazen House, Marble Springs, Ramsey House, and Historic Westwood. Each site will have individual ways of celebrating the birth of Tennessee. These are free museum days to the public.
+ Marble Springs (Saturday, May 28, 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. and Saturday, June 11, 11:00 – 4:00 P.M.)
Marble Springs was the home of John Sevier (1745-1815), Tennessee’s first governor and Revolutionary War hero. Marble Springs State Historic Site will commemorate this occasion with free site tours on Saturday, May 28th. The site and all of the historic buildings will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Guided tours will also be available at scheduled times throughout the day. The last tour will start at 4 p.m. Marble Springs will continue the Statehood Day celebration on June 11th from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. Along with scheduled guided tours, guests will get to walk through encampments, view open hearth cooking demonstrations, and enjoy some 18th century music. Details are subject to change.
Both of these are free events and open to the public.
1220 West Gov. John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Information: 865-573-5508, www.marblesprings.net
+ Blount Mansion (Saturday, June 4, 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M)
Construction on Blount Mansion began in 1792. The restored mansion was open for tours in 1930, making it the oldest museum in Knox County. Commemorate the creation of the state of Tennessee and celebrate the pioneers who settled and transformed the southwest territory into the vibrant state of Tennessee. Hosting free admission.
200 W. Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-2375, www.blountmansion.org
+ James White’s Fort (Saturday, June 4, 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M)
Built in 1786, James White’s Fort was home to the founder of Knoxville. More than 10,000 visitors tour the Fort each year and experience the frontier lifestyle through hands-on interpretations. Celebrate at James White’s Fort with a John Sevier reenactor. Free admission, and donations will be gladly accepted.
205 E. Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: 865-525-6514, www.jameswhitefort.org
+ Mabry-Hazen House (Saturday, June 4, 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M)
Built in 1858 and housing three generations of the same family from 1858-1987, the Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. The Civil War, a gunfight on Gay Street in 1882, and a Breach of Promise lawsuit in the early 1930’s are only a few stories that bring life and color to those who visit the museum. Hosting free admission with living historians. Donations are appreciated.
1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com
+ Westwood (Saturday, June 4, 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M)
Built as a “wedding promise” in 1890 by John Edwin Lutz and his wife, Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz, on property owned by her grandfather, Drury P. Armstrong. The highlight and most significant component of Westwood is the studio which was designed by Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz, an accomplished artist. Today Historic Westwood is home to Knox Heritage and the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance. The home will be open for free tours. Parking available at Laurel Church of Christ.
425 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-523-8008, www.historicwestwood.org
+ Crescent Bend House & Gardens (Saturday, June 11, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M)
Crescent Bend House & Gardens is one of the Southeast’s finest house museums and gardens. Built in 1834 by Drury Paine Armstrong, Crescent Bend was once a 900-acre working farm and so named for its prominent setting overlooking a majestic crescent bend in the Tennessee River just west of downtown Knoxville. Hosting free admission.
2728 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-637-3163, www.crescentbend.com
+ Ramsey House (Saturday, June 11, 12:00 P.M – 3:00P.M)
Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville’s first builder, Thomas Hope for Francis Alexander Ramsey, one of Knoxville’s first settlers. In celebration of Statehood Day, Ramsey House will have free tours with a birthday cake celebrating the birthday of the State of Tennessee as well as the birthday of Col. Francis Alexander Ramsey. Celebrate Statehood Days with one of the founding Families of Knoxville.
2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org
In addition to the Historic Homes of Knoxville, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and Crockett Tavern Museum will also host Statehood Day events on June 4.
+ Crockett Tavern Museum (Saturday, June 4, 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M)
The Museum, located in Morristown, was built on the site of the boyhood home of Davy Crockett. It is a reconstruction of the 1790’s John Crockett Tavern. Open with free admission.
2002 Morningside Drive, Morristown, TN 37814. Information: 423-587-9900, www.crocketttavernmuseum.org
+ Sequoyah Birthplace Museum (Saturday, June 4, 12:00-4:00 P.M)
The mission of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum (Vonore), a property of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is to promote the understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the Cherokee Indians in Eastern Tennessee, particularly the life and contributions of Sequoyah. The Museum will collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit objects and data that support this mission. Free admission. Demonstrators will include corn husk dolls and other activities with living historians.
576 HWY 360, Vonore, TN 37885. Information: 423-884-6246, www.sequoyahmuseum.org
About the Historic Homes of Knoxville
The Historic House Museums of Knoxville is a partnership that shares resources from each historic site in presenting the history, culture, and heritage of Knoxville and East Tennessee: www.hhknoxville.org
