By Ralphine Major

I never took a tour of Blount Mansion that I did not feel its rich history.  On the banks of the Tennessee River, the historic gem stands proudly in downtown Knoxville providing a link from the past with the city’s present day.

George Washington was President of the United States on June 1, 1796, when Tennessee became a state—the sixteenth state of the Union.  Knoxville became the birthplace of Tennessee as fifty-five delegates from several counties met there.  Tennessee is known as The Volunteer State.  It is a wide state stretching from east to west.  Three distinct areas—East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee—are carved out by the Tennessee River.  The three stars on the Tennessee flag represent the three regions.  Great leaders came from Tennessee including Presidents Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James K. Polk.  Other prominent Tennesseans include Davy Crockett, John Sevier, and Sam Houston who was elected to Congress and later became Governor of Tennessee.  Sam Houston later helped Texas become a state.  Houston, Texas, is named for him.

This single day in history is an important day for all Tennesseans.  It is fascinating to think that it began in Knoxville.  A walk-through Blount Mansion is truly like walking back in time when history was made, 225 years ago.

 

Words of Faith: “Bless the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”  Psalm 104:1 (KJV).