By Ken Mayes, ETHC Marketing & Digital Content Manager
Geographically, historically, and politically, East Tennessee is a distinct region within the rest of the state. It is land made up of mountains and valleys, a land where international research facilities and the state university blend with time-honored traditions and centuries-old stories to create a truly special place.
The history of East Tennessee – the complex narratives of its land and its people – are preserved and interpreted here at the East Tennessee History Center (ETHC) in downtown Knoxville. ETHC is an award-winning research facility and museum that is the result of a public-private partnership between the Knox County Public Library and the East Tennessee Historical Society.
The four departments housed here at ETHC are:
• Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection (located on the 3rd floor), where you can research genealogy and all things “history” to your hearts content with the help from great reference librarians.
• Knox County Archives (located on the 2nd floor), which is a repository of non-current, permanent records created by Knox County government dating all the way back to 1792.
• Tennessee Archives of Moving Image and Sound (TAMIS) (located in the basement), which preserves cultural history as it’s recorded on film, video, and audio.
• Museum of East Tennessee History (located on the 1st floor), operated by the East Tennessee Historical Society and open to the public seven days a week, the museum tells the history of East Tennessee through its permanent exhibition Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee and upcoming feature exhibition Home Runs & Home Teams: A History of the National Pastime in Tennessee.
The heart of ETHC is its collections, representing all of East Tennessee’s 35 counties, and guests are invited to explore our resources and find connections to their past.
The East Tennessee History Center is housed in the Custom House, Knoxville’s first federal building and a downtown landmark since 1874. An expansion (that we are in right now) was completed in 2004 and beautifully complements the original building and provides more access to all of ETHC’s resources.
ETHC’s team of archivists, curators, historians, and librarians, as well as experts from the East Tennessee region, are constantly uncovering stories from the past and providing in-person and virtual programming for members of the public to enjoy and learn from. Some of those programs include genealogy workshops, lectures, children and family programs, as well as larger community events like a tailgate on Market Street. All are designed to engage our community and visitors with our local history.
Visitors and guests come to the History Center and Museum of East Tennessee History from all walks of life. The museum welcomes more than 30k visitors per year, and guest have come from all 50 states, all provinces in Canada, and more than 62 countries from around the world. The Museum also serves more than 3,000 school-age students from Knox and surrounding counties each year. For those who would like to visit the museum but may not have the means, we participate in several programs for free or reduced admission, including Museums for All, Blue Star Museums, Penny for the Arts, and offer free admission on Sundays.
How You Can Help
• Join our Membership (with perks!)
• Help with Volunteer Work
• Donate Monthly, Annually, or Memorial Gifts
As a nonprofit, the East Tennessee Historical Society depends on the generosity of donors, members, and volunteers to help it meet its mission to preserve, interpret, and promote the history of East Tennessee. You can find out more on our website at EastTNhistory.org/support.
Programs and Events
Throughout the year, the East Tennessee History Center hosts a full range of programs and special events that are designed to connect the people of East Tennessee (and beyond) with the rich history of the region. Programs and special events include:
• Genealogical Workshops
• Brown Bag and Evening Lecture Series
• Little History Lessons: A Program for Preschoolers
• History Hootenanny
• Football Friday
• Monsters at the Museum
• And more!
Learn more at EastTNhistory.org.