What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 1pm - 5pm

East Tennessee Historical Society

Name: East Tennessee Historical Society
Address: 601 S Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902, US
Telephone: (865) 215-8824
Price range: $
Rating: 4.6

Home
United States
Knoxville, TN
East Tennessee Historical Society

ETHS strives to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of Tennessee, with a focus on East Tennessee. Visit us in Downtown Knoxville.
(379)

Please see our website for more information about events and exhibits. Preserving, interpreting, and promoting the history and culture of East Tennessee's 35 counties. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN.

09/02/2026

On this day in East Tennessee history, September 2, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 1940.

09/01/2026

🏡 Ever wondered about the history of your house?

Who lived there before you? How has the property—and the neighborhood—changed over time? Join us for “Researching the History of Your House,” a free workshop designed to help you uncover the stories hidden in your home’s past.

🗓Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰1–3 p.m.
📍 East Tennessee History Center
💡 Free, but registration is required and space is limited!

Learn how to research the land, house, and people connected to your property using resources from the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Archives, and online.

Whether you’re a longtime homeowner, a history buff, or simply curious about the place you call home, this workshop can help you get started!

Register today: https://www.knoxcountylibrary.org/event/workshop-researching-history-your-house-42397

08/31/2026

👻 TWO MONTHS UNTIL MONSTERS AT THE MUSEUM! 🎃

The countdown to Halloween is officially on! In just 2 months, Monsters at the Museum returns to the East Tennessee History Center for a day packed with spooky fun for the whole family. 🕷️

🕸️ Trick-or-treat throughout the museum
🎃 Halloween-themed crafts & games
👻 Appalachian legends & spooky lore
🔎 A history-themed scavenger hunt
📚 Spooky stories and hands-on activities

Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and get ready to explore the eerie, fascinating side of East Tennessee history!

📅 Saturday, October 31, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 East Tennessee History Center

Mark your calendars and start counting down… Monsters are coming! 👀

08/29/2026

On this day in East Tennessee history, August 29, Parson Brownlow was born in Wythe County, Virginia in 1805. Brownlow served as Tennessee governor from 1865-1869 and served as a U.S. senator from Tennessee from 1869-1875.

As governor he adopted the stance of the Radical Republicans and spent much of his term opposing the policies of his longtime political foe Andrew Johnson.

08/28/2026

One of our most popular issues of The Journal of East Tennessee History is the one with Dolly Parton on the cover.

But inside is a story you may not know.

In “Attuned to the Past: The Civil War Legacies of the Parton Brothers of Sevier County, Tennessee,” historian David J. Gerleman goes beyond Dolly’s well-known story to uncover the lives of four of her Civil War ancestors: Elisha, John, Moses, and Benjamin Parton.

All four brothers served in the Union Army, and their wartime experiences offer a remarkable glimpse into life in Civil War-era East Tennessee—where families faced divided loyalties, accusations of spying, Confederate bushwhackers, illness, hardship, and the challenge of caring for loved ones during a devastating war.

Their story is more than a fascinating connection to one of Tennessee’s most famous families. It helps illuminate the complicated history of East Tennessee and the experiences of the many Unionist families who lived here during the Civil War.

📖 Read “Attuned to the Past” by David J. Gerleman https://www.easttnhistory.org/attuned-to-the-past-the-civil-war-legacies-of-the-parton-brothers-of-sevier-county-tennessee/

And if you’re hoping to add this issue to your collection, there’s one catch: it’s sold out! 📚

08/27/2026

What happens when the ideals of the American Revolution reach the Appalachian frontier?

In 1784, settlers in what is now East Tennessee created the State of Franklin, seeking greater representation and the right to govern themselves. But Franklin’s story was about more than self-government—it also revealed the tensions and contradictions of revolutionary ideals, especially when settlers’ claims to liberty collided with Cherokee sovereignty and land rights.

Though the State of Franklin ultimately failed, its legacy helped shape the political development of Tennessee.

Read Dr. Dockter's latest blog post: The State of Franklin: Revolutionary Ideals After the Revolution at https://www.easttnhistory.org/the-state-of-franklin-revolutionary-ideals-after-the-revolution/

08/26/2026

Today, East Tennessee mourns one of its brightest lights.

Dolly Parton was more than a country music legend. She was a daughter of the Smoky Mountains, a storyteller who carried the people, places, struggles, humor and heart of East Tennessee with her wherever she went.

Her story is preserved in the Museum of East Tennessee History, where Dolly is represented by a striking red performance dress from the 1970s. The dress is more than a piece of stage clothing—it is a tangible reminder of the young woman from Sevier County whose talent, determination and unmistakable style helped carry East Tennessee's story far beyond the mountains.

From humble beginnings to international fame, Dolly never forgot where she came from. Through her music, Dollywood, the Imagination Library and countless acts of generosity, she helped put East Tennessee on the world's map while giving back to the region that shaped her.

Her legacy is woven into the history of this place: into the mountains, the music, the tourism industry, the stories passed down through generations, and the countless lives she touched.

East Tennessee gave Dolly Parton her roots. Dolly gave East Tennessee—and the world—an extraordinary part of herself.

Rest easy, Dolly. The mountains will always be home. ❤️🦋

08/24/2026

🎉 Registration is now OPEN!

Calling all K–12 teachers! Join us October 27–28 in Knoxville for Perseverance Through Primary Sources: Teaching Washington’s World through Stories & Source Analysis.

Explore George Washington’s world through compelling stories, hands-on primary source analysis, and practical strategies you can bring directly into your classroom. Connect national history to Tennessee’s local story and engage with diverse perspectives on the 18th century.

📍 East Tennessee History Center & Blount Mansion
💲 FREE — includes lunch + a $100 substitute teacher stipend
📅 October 27–28, 2026
👩‍🏫 Limited to 30 teachers

Registration is open now—reserve your spot!
https://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/perseverance-through-primary-sources-teaching-washingtons-world

Address

601 S Gay Street
Knoxville, TN
37902

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(865) 215-8824

Website

http://www.eastTNhistory.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when East Tennessee Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to East Tennessee Historical Society:

Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum in Knoxville?