Since 2004, Knox Heritage has presented an annual series of “Summer Suppers” in some of Knox County’s most spectacular historic places. Each supper is a unique experience unmatched by any event in Knoxville. The 12-13 suppers are organized by host committees of volunteers who work together to plan every detail of the event. From menu preparation, to wine selection, to dishwashing, the host committees make it work.

Last year, the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance joined in the fun and hosted the first Summer Suppers beyond Knox County. One supper highlighted the beautiful Claypond Farm in Loudon County with a tasty menu of grilled seasonal vegetables, slow cooked chicken breasts, Lynchburg lemonade, and homemade ice cream. We even had a grand piano under the tent for entertainment. The second supper was atop Preservation Plaza in Downtown Maryville and featured stunning views of the mountains, delicious tapas, and sangria (a secret recipe!).

This summer, ETPA is again hosting two regional suppers. This year, we’ll be at Richland Mill on August 13 in the rolling hills of Grainger County for “Country Dining Down by the Old Mill Stream.” The story of the mill dates back to 1796 when William Stone was given permission by the first Grainger County Meeting to build a mill on Richland Creek.  Occupied by both Confederate and Union forces during the Civil War, the mill remained in the Stone family until 1904.  Later owners built the Miller’s Cottage for a residence, and the mill continued operation until 1958.  Marvin and Janie House purchased the mill in 1996 and faithfully restored it, with additions made to serve as their unique residence.

Guests will be treated to Grainger County tomato sandwiches, baked country ham with an apricot-cranberry-orange glaze, blue cheese and green onion potato salad, apple slaw, spicy Grainger County tomato grits, seasonal fruit cobblers, and of course a cool stream breeze cocktail. Just imagine a warm summer evening along the cool, gurgling Richland Creek.

Then, on September 11, Beverly and Jack Kramer will open their home for the “Riverside Supper at the McBee Farm.” This Summer Supper is a rare treat! Overlooking the Holston River and McBee Island from the lawn of the McBee House, guests will dine on freshly grown, locally raised, chemical free, farm to table fare. The circa 1830 brick house is one of the oldest surviving houses from the time period in the area and sits on a working farm.

Our hosts have lovingly restored this home and farmstead and received preservation awards from the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities and ETPA. Evening entertainment will include tours of the home, a fox hunt demonstration by the Tennessee Valley Hunt Club, a wagon ride along the banks of the Holston, and music suitable to the setting. This will be a special evening to remember.

The host committee, which includes sisters Jennifer Niceley and Anna Barreiro, has pulled together a tasty spread of local fare that showcases the talents and flavors of Jefferson County. A sampling includes freshly picked vegetables, homegrown herb and hickory cane corn muffins with homemade butter, rosemary pork tenderloin, and vanilla lemon custard with berry coulis. The menu will complement the views perfectly.

We hope to see you at the Richland Mill and the McBee Farm this summer for one of East Tennessee Preservation Alliance’s Summer Suppers. For more detailed information, including full menus, ticket ordering information, and the list of all Knox Heritage Summer Suppers, please visit www.knoxheritage.org or call (865) 523-8008. Tickets will sell out quickly!

ETPA is a membership organization that relies on the input and support of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a member, serving on a committee, hosting an event, or need technical assistance for your historic place, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Each month contributors from the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) write an article for Everything Knoxville celebrating the rich heritage of our region. ETPA is a regional historic preservation membership-based organization that serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. Preservation field services in this region are provided by Knox Heritage and are assisted by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, please visit www.knoxheritage.org.

Greenback. A sleepy little town? A return to a lifestyle of years ago? It’s depot a symbol of a once thriving town? Or a diamond in the rough?

More than anything, Greenback symbolizes the effect that transportation has on the country. Prior to the establishment of Greenback, the city of Morganton flourished on the banks of the Little Tennessee River. Morganton, formerly known as Portsville, was a bustling town where the ships and flatboats of the country loaded and unloaded goods for the settlers. Ferries provided access across the Little Tennessee.

Then the railroad came! In 1870, Loudon County was established and Greenback became a town. The first trains came through in the 1870s. Then, in 1899, the word came that the L&N railroad would open a second line to be laid somewhere in the area between Morganton or Trigonia toward Maryville. Lorenzo Thompson of Thompson’s Stand and the Swaney Brothers of Trigonia plotted the area where they believed the railroad would go and purchased property. At the time Thompson had been approved for a Post Office at Thompson’s Stand. The Swaneys built a store and Thompson moved his Post Office there. Land for the town was given by the Thompsons and the Halls. Construction started and the first train ran in July 1890.

In 1914, the L&N built a large new depot there and it still stands today. Greenback grew up around that depot and flourished for several years. The frame buildings burned in 1917, 1923, and 1927, but businesses rebuilt. The main part of town included a drug store and diner, three grocery stores, a garage, a blacksmith shop, a hardware store, a bank, and others.

The last train in Greenback ran in 1978.

With the closure of Tellico Dam, water traffic again became popular. Boat companies became numerous. L&N sold the old Depot to Supra Boat Company. The Depot went through several uses including an antique shop and is now used for storage by the current owner.

The City of Greenback began to decline and the Depot stands as a proud sentinel to its more prosperous days. The Greenback Drug and Diner across the street is still the local hangout and next door to it is the Greenback Heritage Museum. The Greenback Historical Society has placed a replica of the Quilt Pattern Boxcar on the outside wall of the Diner and this is included on the Appalachian Quilt Trail. The pattern was chosen to represent the railroad that was the impetus for the founding of the town.

The town is surrounded by a farming community and many of the owners are descendents of its founders. The inhabitants are an independent and close-knit group, but they have long been known for their warmth and hospitality. Many have opened their arms and their hearts to those who have moved to the lakeside communities that have developed near Tellico Lake.

The newcomers in turn have joined local churches, volunteered to work in the museum which is run completely by volunteers, and help with the work of the Historical Society and the local Food Pantry. A Greenback Heritage Scrapbook Committee is working to collect, assemble, and publish photos and articles regarding the history of Greenback. The Greenback Historical Society is a non-profit group that works toward preserving the history of the community. The group sponsored an Open House in early December at the circa 1850s McCollum House, recently restored by Tim Grindstaff.

H & R Block recently chose Greenback for a new ad campaign. The company stayed in the community for a number of days, filming and interviewing residents. They filmed the depot, drug store and museum as well as the locals. One may see the commercials coined “Greenbacks for Greenback.” The company was so impressed with the town and its people that it gave $25,000 to the school and rode in the Christmas Parade before they left town.

The depot is now in private hands. It sits silently in the midst of the town it helped create and is a historic treasure. Often times the residents say, “I wish something could be done about the depot,” but no one has yet come forward to preserve and restore the building. We hope this year will be the year the depot is put to use once again.

Carolyn M. Peck is a native of Greenback, President of the Greenback Historical Society and a board member of the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance.

Each month contributors from the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) write an article for Everything Knoxville celebrating the rich heritage of our region. ETPA is a regional historic preservation membership-based organization that serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. Preservation field services in this region are provided by Knox Heritage and are assisted by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, please visit www.knoxheritage.org or contact Ethiel Garlington at egarlington@knoxheritage.org.

Visitors at the Historic Rugby Visitor Centre

The East Tennessee Preservation Alliance and Knox Heritage are hosting the 2010 East Tennessee Preservation Conference in Historic Rugby on October 8 and 9, 2010. This year’s theme, “Preserve it, and they will come…” will focus on the power of heritage tourism for East Tennessee’s economic development and historic preservation.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, Tennessee’s tourism industry had a $14.4 billion economic impact and earned over $1 billion in state and local sales tax revenue in 2008 from the tourism industry. Nationwide, heritage tourists spend an average of $994 per trip versus $611 for all U.S. travelers. Tourism is big business for Tennessee and an important tool for communities and preservationists.

Commissioner Susan Whitaker with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development will lead off the 2010 conference sessions before lunch on Friday, October 8. Whitaker has been instrumental in securing Tennessee as a leader in the southeast for sustainable tourism. Carolyn Brackett, Program Director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Cultural Heritage Tourism Program, will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to make their places viable destinations by creating an authentic experience.

Trevor Johnson, with the NTHP’s Northeast Office, will speak about “Maximizing Technology in Preservation” by showcasing the Northeast African-American Google Earth Mapping Project that he helped develop that is educating people about African-American historic sites in the Northeast, and using the map as a heritage tourism tool. Johnson and the NTHP have been using free technology to help promote the Northeast Region’s rich African-American heritage and he will show attendees how to take advantage of this incredible tool.

With the rise of social media, this year’s conference will also feature a panel session on “Using Social Media Effectively” that will include Gavin Baker with Moxley Carmichael, Tim Knight with Norris Highlands Agency, and Chyna Brackeen with Attack Monkey Productions. Moderated by Becky Hancock, Assistant Director of Knox Heritage, the session will provide key strategies and tips for using social media to get to the next generation of preservationists – and donors – involved.

John Craig, “Mayor” of Market Square and partner of Segundo Properties, will share stories about working to make Market Square a “heritage tourism destination” in the Heart of Downtown Knoxville. Craig will weave together the International Biscuit Festival, historic tax credits, a Farmer’s Market, and much more as he talks about the importance of creating an authentic experience for visitors and residents.

Other speakers include David Moore from Atlanta’s Historic Oakland Cemetery; Jacob Burgette, who will lead a session on gravestone cleaning and repair; Jennifer Spence with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, who will speak to the importance of linking communities along driving trails; Patrick McIntyre, the State Historic Preservation Officer; and many other leading professionals from around the region.

This year’s conference weekend will also feature the inaugural East Tennessee Preservation Awards to be announced on Friday, October 8 at the Awards Reception in Rugby. The awards will recognize outstanding achievements for individuals’ and groups’ work on restoration, adaptive use, new infill design, rehabilitation projects and lifetime achievement in preservation advocacy in the region.

The full conference registration is $40.00 which includes all sessions, guided tours of Rugby, boxed lunches on Friday and Saturday, continental breakfast on Friday and Saturday, the Awards Reception, and much more. There is also a $30.00 student rate available. Contact Historic Rugby at 888-214-3100 for special conference lodging rates and information. Lodging space is limited. The full conference schedule and information is available at www.knoxheritage.org.

Each month contributors from the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) write an article for Everything Knoxville celebrating the rich heritage of our region. ETPA is a regional historic preservation membership-based organization that serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. Preservation field services in this region are provided by Knox Heritage and are assisted by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, please visit www.knoxheritage.org.

Saving East Tennessee’s Endangered Heritage

By: Ethiel Garlington

In March, the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) announced the 2010 East Tennessee’s Endangered Heritage list of endangered historic buildings and places in the region.

The inaugural list of endangered historic places was selected by the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Board of Directors from nominations received from members and the general public.  ETPA partners with organizations and businesses across the region to find preservation solutions for the endangered properties we identify for the annual list and encourage the communities across the region to join us in our efforts to save our endangered heritage.

The Alexander Inn is one of the most significant landmarks in Oak Ridge from the Manhattan Project.  It was built in 1943 in Oak Ridge to serve the “Secret City” and the many notable guests from the era.  In December 2009, a newly formed non-profit organization, Oak Ridge Revitalization Effort (ORRE), acquired the landmark building.  Even with the new owners, the future is uncertain for the Alexander Inn.  ETPA will continue working with ORRE and other partners to ensure the future of the Alexander Inn is secure for generations.

The Martin Mansion is in the Wildwood Community of Blount County.  Warner Martin was one of the early settlers of East Tennessee and friend of John Sevier and George Washington.  The circa 1800 house is significant for its historical value and for its unique woodwork and details that still remain in the house.  ETPA will be hosting a volunteer work day at Martin Mansion during Preservation Month in May with the Blount County Historical Trust.  The house desperately needs to be secured to prevent any further damage from the elements, and ETPA encourages the property owner to continue working with preservationists to find solutions for the significant house.

The Old Lafollette Post Office served the community until a new post office was built outside of downtown in 2008.  Since then the old post office has been on the market, but with the current real estate climate it has languished on the market. ETPA hopes a qualified buyer can be found or that the City of Lafollette can work out an arrangement with the USPS to acquire the building for use as a library or the Campbell County Historical Society.

The Graham-Kivette House, built circa 1810, is the oldest home in Tazewell and one of only a few buildings that survived a disastrous fire in 1862. The house has been neglected and not properly maintained for years and needs attention immediately.  ETPA hopes that listing the house will help draw local awareness to the historic value of the house and the necessity of action before the house is lost due to neglect, deterioration, or fire.  ETPA will work with the Claiborne County government, Claiborne Historical Society, and the East Tennessee Development District to determine the most effective strategy to protect this community resource.

The Gilliland-Odell House is the only surviving structure of the old town of New Port, which was established as the seat of Cocke County in 1799.  The town remained the county seat until about 1884 when all county offices were moved to the present town of Newport on the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap and Charleston railroad lines.  The Federal style house is a unique architectural gem and should be preserved.  The arched fanlights and door surrounds are indicative of the era, but unusual for East Tennessee. The National Register-listed house needs attention before it loses any more of its unique architectural details and ETPA encourages the property owners to maintain the house.

Several Abandoned Rural Schoolhouses in Grainger County still remain and should be protected.  There are also other historic school buildings around the region that need attention. ETPA recognizes that each of these schools present unique challenges and each school will have a unique solution.   Unfortunately, little background information is available for some of these rural schools.  ETPA will work with property owners and local officials to help develop plans for these and other abandoned rural schoolhouses in the region.

Morristown College is a historically black college and one of the most important African-American landmarks in East Tennessee.  It has been listed on the statewide endangered list and was recently nominated to the National endangered list.  After the college closed its doors and ceased operations as a campus of Knoxville College it was auctioned to a private developer who has not maintained the campus.  ETPA urges the property owner to sell or donate the property to a suitable buyer who can make use of the campus.  ETPA will continue working with local leaders in Morristown and potential buyers.

In Quaker Valley in New Market there are a few hundred acres of prime farmland that are in the crosshairs of the railroad developers.  While ETPA focuses mostly on the built environment, we see this rural landscape as a key piece of East Tennessee and know that if the intermodal railyard is built, then inappropriate development will follow. ETPA strongly urges Norfolk Southern and local officials in Jefferson County to work with local citizen groups to find a suitable alternative site that would use an existing industrial site for the intermodal railyard that would preserve the rural farmland in New Market and limit the negative environmental impact on a prime agricultural land.

Downtown Lenoir City is indicative of small towns across East Tennessee and the country.  At one time, the thriving commercial district was the hub of the community, but with changing traffic patterns and the introduction of the interstate, the downtown has struggled.  ETPA will work with local leaders in Lenoir City and local businesses to help revitalize the central business district by using Main Street principles and models that have worked in similar communities.

The Boyhood Home of Estes Kefauver is one of the most significant houses in Monroe County and needs attention immediately.  Owned by Estes’ niece, the house suffered a damaging fire in 2008 and needs significant work.  Local leaders are willing to work with the property owner and ETPA to find a solution.

ETPA encourages the property owners to restore, sell, or donate the house to ensure the architectural and historically significant house remains standing and can find a new use.

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is a vivid reminder of the industrial and penal histories in America.  The landscape is both rural and industrial and is one of the most unique properties in Appalachia.  The most significant buildings were built in the 1930s in the Gothic Revival style.  Building aside, the history of the inmates and the evolution of prisons is a compelling story.  Brushy Mountain shuttered its doors in the summer of 2009 and the state has no long term plans for the massive facility.  ETPA encourages the state to continue working with Morgan County leaders to find a viable use for the massive facility that would preserve the building and its history.

Emory Gap Cemetery sits just off Exit 357 on interstate 40 sits several fast food restaurants, gas stations and car repair shops.  Tucked in all the new development is a historic cemetery atop the hill that overlooks the encroaching businesses.  The cemetery has been neglected over the years and is overgrown and most of the grave stones have been damaged.  Sadly, many cemeteries across the region suffer similar fates and need attention. ETPA encourages awareness of the cemetery and limited development that is encroaching on the cemetery and have created a Cemetery Task Force to help address cemetery preservation issues across the state.

New Salem Baptist Church was built in 1886 by Isaac Dockery, noted African-American builder, and is Sevierville’s oldest surviving building, Sevier County’s oldest brick church building, and the only historic African-American church in the county.  The Dockery Family Association has been working with the East Tennessee Community Design Center, the African-American Heritage Alliance and ETPA to find a long term preservation solution for the building that would preserve the legacy of the building and the contributions of the congregation.  The building needs to be stabilized and a long term maintenance plan needs to be put in place.

The circa 1880 home of The Honorable J. Will Taylor is one of the most historically significant houses in Union County and is completely abandoned.   The late Mr. Taylor was a U.S. Congressman and native of Union County. ETPA encourages the property owner to come forward to work with Preservation Union County and ETPA to find a preservation solution for the house.  Both groups will work with the owner to also find a suitable buyer for the house.

The East Tennessee Preservation Alliance works to protect places and structures with historic or cultural significance in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union counties.  It is governed by a board of directors with representatives from across the region. ETPA carries out its mission through a variety of programs and encourages community support through education and advocacy.  Preservation field services in this region are provided by Knox Heritage and are assisted by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  For more information, please visit www.knoxheritage.org.

]]> http://www.everythingknoxville.com/2010/03/30/knoxheritage/feed/ 0 http://www.everythingknoxville.com/2010/02/15/the-beautiful-clinch-mountain-ridge/ http://www.everythingknoxville.com/2010/02/15/the-beautiful-clinch-mountain-ridge/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:14:04 +0000 Judy Irmen http://www.everythingknoxville.com/?p=686

Beautiful mountains
surround Knoxville.
As an East Tennessee
native, I have grown
up hiking these
rugged peaks. My
personal favorite is
the Clinch Mountain
Ridge, which can be
reached by traveling
northeast along Lee Hwy (Highway 11W)
to the Grainger County line. This 15-mile
drive from the Knoxville city limits allows
different vantage points of the Great Smoky
Mountains, House Mountain and, of
course, the Clinch Mountain Ridge range.

The Clinch Mountain range starts in
Blaine, and stretches to Burke’s Garden,
Virginia. The Clinch River basin to the
north is separated from the Holston River
basin to the south by this long, irregular
range. The average elevation along the
ridge is 2,000 feet and offers great views of
the valley, rivers and lakes.

Climbing the Clinch Mountain Ridge is
different from hiking in a national or state
park. There are no groomed trails and the
need for bushwhacking is commonplace.
Getting to the top is no easy feat, and the
climb means crossing large rock outcrops
as well as briars and huckleberry groves.

Once on top, usually you can discover a
game trail that follows the ridgeline. Large
rhododendron thickets on top face north
and provide shade in the summer heat.
You rarely see other humans so the
experience is between you and nature.
Bird watching is great at this level as
hawks, grouse, turkey and songbirds are
everywhere.

Signal Point, the southern terminus of
the 150 mile Clinch Mountain Ridge, lies
at the intersection of Knox, Union and
Grainger counties. This high peak was
used to signal troops during the Civil War.
The mountains also played an important
role in the Battle of Bean’s Station.

Apart from battles, the mountains had
prominence in the late 1800s when the
mineral springs in the area drew notable
visitors from around the globe. Tate
Springs, as the town and resort were
named, included an enormous hotel, golf
course and mineral baths. The seasonal
resort even had its own spur on the
railroad, so visitors could easily make the
trip from all over the country. Notable
guests included the Fords, Studebakers,
Mellons, Firestones and Rockefellers.
Because of a devastating fire and the Great
Depression, only a few buildings survive
today. The gazebo bandstand is an elegant
reminder of the heydays of Tate Springs.

When I was a child, my parents, uncles,
aunts and grandparents and I would make
a pilgrimage to Signal Point at least twice a
year. I started climbing with them when I
was five years old and hope to be climbing
when I am 85 years old. I am in the
process of passing on these simple joys to
my sons. This includes swinging on the
vines growing in tall trees, rolling large
boulders down ravines and “riding a
hickory sapling.” This last feat is
accomplished by running down grade and
jumping as high as possible to hold on to
the sapling. The sapling dampens your
landing during this simulated freefall
(imagine pole vaulting in reverse).

My favorite time of the year to climb is
December through March. Rattlesnakes
and Copperheads are in their dens, so this
is not a concern. The air is crisp and clear
and keeps the body temperature at a more
comfortable level. The best gear includes
a light windbreaker and hat that can be
carried, as a light shirt and jeans are all
that is needed. Once on top, the wind is
always blowing and at that point, hikers
need extra layers. This time of year also
provides an abundance of springs along
the face of the mountain. This water is
filtered by rock and always tastes sweet, so
it is easy to understand why Tate Springs
developed.

My favorite overlooks include Donehew
Head, High Lonesome and Wildcat Spur.
These places offer breathtaking views and
a different prospective of our neighbors in
the valley. My hopes are that after reading
this, you will get off that couch and join
the rank of “Highlander.” The mountains
are calling. EK

Mike Newman (Mike@MikeNewHome.
com) is a broker with Home & Garden
Real Estate, a native of Grainger
County, and serves on the Board of the
East Tennessee Preservation Alliance
(ETPA). ETPA is a new regional historic
preservation membership-based
organization that serves Anderson,
Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke,
Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox,
Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane,
Sevier, Scott and Union counties.
Preservation field services in this
region are provided by Knox Heritage
and are assisted by a Partners in the
Field challenge grant from the National
Trust for Historic Preservation. For
more information, please visit www.
knoxheritage.org.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Commemorative Commission announces
lineup of events for the 2010 Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Celebration

New special programs combine with
traditional events to make a very
special celebration

The MLK Celebration programs are designed to
increase awareness of Dr. King’s work and to bring all races in
our community into closer harmony. For 2010, all celebration
events relate to the theme of “Realizing His Dream Through
Service: It Is Up To Us” and there are several new programs that
underline that theme.

School-age young people are invited to participate in the
all-new Youth Symposium to be held at the Children’s Defense
Fund Haley Farm January 16th. The morning sessions will focus
on strengthening our community by helping our youth to be
leaders for equity in the future. The half-day teacher in-service
credit program provides special professional development
sessions for local school teachers aimed at promoting the
principles and goals of the Knox County School Strategic Plan.

The traditional “Night with the Arts” on January 17th will
feature original productions written exclusively for the
MLK commemorative events. Beginning at 6:00 pm, this
very special production will be at the Colston Performing
Arts Center on the campus of Knoxville College and is open
to the public without charge.

Also new this year will be a month-long exhibit of MLK-
related works of art on display at the Bijou Theatre Gallery. The
gala opening of this meaningful exhibit will be from 5:00–7:00
pm on January 8th as part of the First Friday events.

The MLK website at www.mlkknoxville.org has been
expanded and revised so that all details of the 2010 celebration
can be conveniently accessed.

The kick-off event for the MLK Celebration will be the
Interfaith Prayer Service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church on
Wednesday, January 13th at noon. Religious leaders from many
different faiths will join in this very special worship service.

The Leadership Symposium is scheduled for the morning of
January 14 followed by the annual Leadership/Awards Luncheon at
noon. The special guest speaker at this year’s luncheon is Dr. John
Maguire, President Emeritus of Claremont Graduate University
and life director of the King Center. (Ticket information for the
luncheon can be found at www.mlkKnoxville.org.)

Our community really comes together on the MLK holiday,
January 18. The annual MLK Parade is one of the most exciting
events of the celebration with hundreds of participants and, this
year, former Mayor and former Ambassador to Poland Victor
Ash will be the Grand Marshal.

The parade will end at the Greater Warner Tabernacle AME
Zion Church for the annual Memorial Tribute Service with Rev.
Raphael Gamaliel Warnock as the keynote speaker. Dr. Warnock
is currently the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in
Atlanta, spiritual home of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Other related events include a community discussion by the
Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance on January 15th at
7:00 pm and the YWCA Race Against Racism during the
afternoon of January 16th.

The closing tribute to Dr. King and his work will be the
Holiday Celebration Concert on January 18th at 6:00 pm in the
Knoxville Civic Auditorium featuring the Knoxville Symphony
Orchestra, the MLK Holiday Celebration Choir, and a variety of
special guest performers.

With the exception of the luncheon on January 14, all MLK
Celebration events are open to the public without charge.

“The MLK season is an opportune time for all to reflect upon
the ideals of the Dream and the Dreamer,” stated MLK Chair
Renee Kesler. “Together, may we all seek to realize his dream
through service as it is up to us.” EK

For additional information, visit www.mlkknoxville.org or
contact Michael Combs at mcombs@utk.edu.

Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941

Remembrance of a “date which will live in infamy”

The Pearl Harbor attack entered the consciousness of
contemporary Americans more forcefully than any
other single contemporary event. Regarded as a
dastardly “surprise attack” and an act of “infamy”
during the Second World War, every effort was made
to keep its memory bright. Posters, popular songs and other media
were staples of wartime popular culture, regular memorial services
were held to commemorate the dead, and flags that had flown at the
Capitol and White House on 7 December 1941 were raised over fallen
enemy capital cities.

Even after the conflict ended, the Pearl Harbor “surprise” helped
shape a generation of National defense policy and was not forgotten
by those who had lived through the war. Monuments, large and small,
were erected on the battle sites. Around the country, veterans’ reunion
groups met regularly to keep the memory alive. Even now, nearly
seven decades later, Pearl Harbor remains the subject of a regular flow
of documentaries, dramatic productions, books and articles. EK

Boyds Creek:

When you think
about historic
preservation in
East Tennessee,
Sevier County
may not top your
list of success stories. The county is a
gateway community to the most visited
National Park in the country, which has
resulted in sprawling development
centered on tourists. Hiding away safely, at
least for now, on Boyds Creek Highway
(also known as the Old Knoxville
Highway and the Old Sevierville
Highway) is an impressive collection of
antebellum houses dating to the early days
of settlement in East Tennessee. The
historic road was the main trade route
from Knoxville to Virginia and the site of
John Sevier’s battle with the Cherokee
Indians in December 1780.

For historical and geographical
reference, this area of Sevier County is a
continuation of Knox County’s French
Broad River Corridor where early houses
also dot the rural landscape. Historic
houses like the circa 1815 William
Campbell House, circa 1796 McNutt-
Campbell-Kennedy House, and the circa
1795 Thomas Frazier House, combined
with the houses along Boyds Creek
Highway, make this area one of the best
collections of Federal style houses in the
southeast.

Two houses, in particular, along Boyds
Creek Highway are ripe for preservation.
One, Wheatlands, was built in 1825 and
aptly named for its historically large wheat
crops. Timothy Chandler settled the farm
and later passed the land and holdings to
his son, John Chandler. At one time, the
house sat on 3,700 acres making it one of
the largest farms in the county. After the
wood farm home burned in 1824, John
built the house that exists today.

The federal style brick home has had
very few exterior modifications since its
construction. A few changes, such as the
Victorian era front porch and stained glass
windows, add charm and character to the
house and without degrading its character.
The present owner has done a meticulous
job of stabilizing, cleaning, and securing
the building while it has been on the
market. In addition to the house, several
outbuildings still remain on the property,
completing the pastoral picture. The
smokehouse is built with hand hewn logs
assembled with half dovetail notches,
which is very common in this region and
is especially evident in the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.

On a recent visit to Wheatlands,
archaeologist Charlie Faulkner discovered
a treasure trove of artifacts unassumingly
resting in a cardboard box in the dining
room. During the latest work on the
house, the excavation crews working to
enlarge the crawl space uncovered a slew
of pottery pieces, metal items, and some
small toys. Artifacts like these
help date the house and the
history of the surrounding lands.

Another important building
along Boyds Creek Highway is
the circa 1795 Buckingham
House that rests high above the
French Broad River. This house
could possibly be the oldest
surviving house in Sevier County.
The house overlooks the
farmland that is still used today
by the owner and his family. The
small brick house is laid with two
common brick bonds. The front
façade is more decorative and
features the glazed-head Flemish Bond,
while the other sides are English Bond.
The bricks are handmade, most likely
onsite with clay from the river banks.

Thomas Buckingham, Sevier County’s
first sheriff and Revolutionary War
veteran, built the house which is still in
remarkable shape. Again, most of the
exterior has not been touched; however,
the interior has been covered with carpet
and paneling and new walls have been
added. The attic, however, remains
untouched. The rafters are tied together
with hand carved pegs at the ridge and the
collar ties and rafters are attached with an
unusual mortise and tenon scarf joint that
has held up well and still remains as a
tight joint.

Like many historic properties in the
country, the Buckingham House is owned
by a group of family members in an estate
whose opinions vary about the future of
the house as is common in similar
circumstances across the country. Some
see the historic and nostalgic significance
of the house and farmland while others
see the financial benefit from selling the
house and land. As preservationists, our
job is to present options to property
owners that benefit their interests and
respect the historic character of the home
and land. In the end, the solution
must be a win-win for everyone.

On November 5, at the Wears
Valley United Methodist Church,
the East Tennessee Preservation
Alliance is hosting Preservation
Toolbox No. 3: Conservation
Easements. Bill Clabough,
Executive Director of the
Foothills Land Conservancy, will
come speak about using
conservation easements to
protect land and historic houses
for future generations. Just
imagine the power of
conservation easements in places like
Sevier County. EK

Ethiel Garlington is Director of
Preservation Field Services for Knox
Heritage and the East Tennessee
Preservation Alliance. Preservation
field services provided by Knox
Heritage are assisted by a Partners in
the Field challenge grant from the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For more information, please visit
www.knoxheritage.org.

In 1921, an unknown World War I
American soldier was buried in
Arlington National Cemetery. This
site, on a hillside overlooking the
Potomac River and the city of
Washington, D.C., became the
focal point of reverence for
America’s veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred
earlier in England and France,
where an unknown soldier was
buried in each nation’s highest
place of honor (in England,
Westminster Abbey; in France, the
Arc de Triomphe). These
memorial gestures all took place
on November 11, giving universal
recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I
fighting at 11 am, November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of
the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known
as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day officially received its name in America
in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a
national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional
action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that
World War I was “the War to end all wars,” November 11
might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years
after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in
Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took
part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in
service, more than 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day Changed to

Honor All Veterans

The first celebration using the term Veterans Day
occurred in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947. Raymond
Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized “National
Veterans Day,” which included a parade and other
festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on
November 11, then designated Armistice Day. Later, U.S.
Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill
that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In
1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower
signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens
Medal from President Reagan in November 1982.
Weeks’ local parade and ceremonies are now an annual
event celebrated nationwide.

On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified
American war dead were brought from overseas and
interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of
World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other
in the Korean War. In 1984, an unknown serviceman
from the Vietnam War was placed alongside the others.
The remains from Vietnam were exhumed May 14,
1998, identified as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph
Blassie, and removed for burial. To honor these men,
symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all
wars, an Army honor guard, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The
Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national
commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday
in October. It soon became apparent, however, that
November 11 was a date of historic significance to many
Americans. Therefore, in 1978, Congress returned the
observance to its traditional date.

National Ceremonies Held at

Arlington National Cemetery

The focal point for official national ceremonies for
Veterans Day continues to be the memorial
amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns.
At 11 am on November 11, a combined color guard
representing all military services executes “Present
Arms” at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is
symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The
bugler plays “taps.” The rest of the ceremony takes place
in the amphitheater.EK

Old Gray Cemetery is and always has been more than simply a place to lay the dead. Felix Dempster, executive secretary of the cemetery’s board, calls it a park, an art museum, a church, a garden, and a history book. Founded at the height of the rural cemetery movement in America, Old Gray was deliberately designed to function as well as a park as it did as a burying ground. According to Dempster, it was meant to be a place of serenity and beauty where families could come to enjoy each other and their own lives as well as honoring and remembering their dead. In the past that may have meant a family picnic, a leisurely carriage ride, or a day spent playing games in the cemetery’s open areas. Today, it often serves as a good place to eat lunch, read a book, or take a walk.
Old Gray is Knoxville’s oldest public cemetery.

Just wandering about and reading the various tombstones can present a good history lesson. Though it officially opened in June 1852, the first burial actually occurred on or about July 5, 1851 when William Martin, an Irish iron worker and a newcomer to town with no known family, had his right arm blown off in a cannon misfire during Knoxville’s Fourth of July festivities.

His death created a necessity for the city to press the new public cemetery into service earlier than expected. In the one hundred and fifty-eight years since, Old Gray has become best known as the resting place for some of the city’s most elite citizens, but in reality, the cemetery serves as the burial spot for an entire cross-section of the Knoxville community.

In addition to three governors, four senators, seven U.S. representatives, over thirty mayors, numerous local businessmen, many veterans from both sides of the Civil War, and several local artists and authors, Old Gray has been the burial place for Knoxvillians from all walks of life, including a wide variety of farmers and tradesmen, families of Irish laborers who built the railroad lines through East Tennessee, at least one circus performer, a few of the infamous and notorious, the rich, the poor, the middle-class, and a little bit of each and every type of person or occupation found in a city over the last three centuries.

Home to over thirty varieties of trees, many shrubs, and countless other plants, Old Gray’s paved paths provide walking trails with a peaceful view of nature that rivals other local parks or gardens. Its wrought iron gates and picturesque sexton’s cottage have long been recognized as subjects of local interest, and many of the tombstones, sculptures, mausoleums, and monuments on the thirteen acre grounds were designed by expert craftsmen, sometimes even true artists with the aesthetics needed for such a cemetery in mind. Though all the lots have long been sold, about five burials still occur in Old Gray each year. Several memorial and holiday services take place as well. The cemetery has served as an official stop on the Dogwood Arts Festival’s trails for many years. During this year, Old Gray also received its designation as an official stop on the Tennessee Historical Commission’s Civil War Heritage Trail and marker was placed on the grounds to help interpret its role and importance during the war.

The height of the cemetery’s calendar is its Lantern and Carriage Tour. Old Gray will celebrate its ninth annual tour on Sunday, September 27th. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this year’s tour is themed “Pioneers of the Park” and will feature re-enactors dressed in period costume as they tell the stories of Old Gray’s connections with founders and supporters of the park like Colonel David Chapman, the Kinzel family, the Townsends, and Laura Thornburgh. Musicians and World War II re-enactors will be present as well, and horse drawn carriage rides will be available. Tours will begin promptly at 4:00 rain or shine. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for students. The cemetery is located at 543 North Broadway. More information may be obtained by calling the cemetery at (865) 522-1424.