Historic Rugby

08/26/2026

As we remember Dolly Parton and celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind, we're also reminded of the love she had for Tennessee's hidden treasures.

Historic Rugby was honored to be one of her favorites.

As Travel + Leisure reported yesterday, Dolly encouraged people to look beyond Tennessee's more populated destinations.

"There's all these little pockets of gold in Tennessee that you don't hear people talk about but they're great and real," she said, according to the story. She went on to single out Rugby, where "they have old buildings where the settlers came so many years ago from England."

It wasn't the first time she's shared her deep affection for our village. In an interview with Southern Living, when asked about her favorite places in Tennessee, she replied:

"You know up around Knoxville? There's a little town up there called Rugby."

Those words mean even more today.

Thank you, Dolly, for shining your light on Historic Rugby and for spending a lifetime celebrating the people, places, and stories that make Tennessee so special.

Your music, your kindness, and your unwavering love for this state will never be forgotten.

08/25/2026

Don't forget to get your tickets now for Grill Rugby! It's one night only this year -- Saturday, September 5th -- so tickets will sell out even faster than usual.

Get tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/grill-rugby

This year's all-inclusive Grilled Appalachia menu is created by Scott County chef Dustin Kennedy and features:

🥩 Parmesan Pork Loin
🐟 Smoked Salmon with Lemon
🍤 Mini Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
🥣 Southwest Brisket Dip & Scoops
🥗 Caesar Salad
🌾 Wild Rice
🧄 Roasted Garlic Green Beans
🍰 Cheesecake with Blueberries
🍓 Strawberries & Fresh Whipped Cream

Specialty cocktails, local beer, water, and soft drinks are included, and guests are welcome to bring additional adult beverages.

The online silent auction opens August 22, featuring unique and fascinating items plus a few surprises available only to guests attending the event. All proceeds help support Historic Rugby's operations through this volunteer-led fundraiser.

This is a communal dining experience, making it a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow food lovers. If you're attending with a group or have special dietary needs, please email [email protected] at least one week before the event.

🏡 Make it a weekend getaway! Event attendees will receive a promotional code for discounted lodging on select rooms throughout Labor Day weekend.

For more information or to reserve your place at the table, visit historicrugby.org or call 423-628-2441.

08/25/2026

Make Historic Rugby Your Weekend Escape!

Looking for a weekend that combines history, outdoor adventure, delicious food, and unforgettable events? Historic Rugby has something happening around every corner! Here are just a few reasons to plan a visit this weekend:

🏡 Explore Historic Rugby
Thursday-Sunday
The Visitor Centre, Print Works, and Commissary are open and ready to welcome you. Tour our Victorian village, watch our antique printing press in action, browse handcrafted works by local artisans, and discover the new antique booths upstairs in the Commissary.

🧵 Last Chance to See Our Quilt Showing
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET
Sunday: Noon-4:00 p.m. ET
This is your final weekend to enjoy our special quilt exhibit in the Board of Aid Building, featuring beautiful Quilts of Valor honoring local veterans alongside hand-pieced quilts dating back to the early 1900s.

🥾 Sheltowee Trace Trail Workday
Friday, August 28 | 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET
Help preserve one of the region's premier hiking trails by volunteering on the Rugby-Burnt Mill Extension of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. Volunteers are welcome to camp free the night before at Brooks Campground & Store. A hearty breakfast will be served at RM Brooks before heading to the trail. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and bring work gloves. (No pets, please.)
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/vhbgxy

🎳 Irish Road Bowling
Saturday, August 29 | 6:00 p.m. ET
Join us for one of Rugby's favorite traditions! Meet at the Print Works on Rugby Parkway for a family-friendly game of Irish Road Bowling. Teams are chosen at random, all ages are welcome, and the winning team earns bragging rights and a photo with our famous (and slightly charred!) Irish Road Bowling trophy rescued from the Harrow Road Café fire.

🎭 Muses & Magicians
Saturday, August 29 | 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Bring a lawn chair and settle in at the gazebo near the Visitor Centre for an evening of live music, poetry, dance, and theatrical performances. This month's free variety show features special guest Rugby legend Kara Kemp, along with a talented cast of local performers. Admission is free, and tips for the artists are greatly appreciated.

🧘 Find Your Zen
Yoga classes are held in Hester Hall on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6:00 p.m. ET. Bring your yoga mat and be prepared to Venmo the instructor.

💦 Cool Off Outdoors
Take a refreshing dip at Rugby's historic Gentlemen's Swimming Hole, or make the short drive to Colditz Cove for a scenic hike to one of the area's most beautiful waterfalls.

🥾 Hit the Trails
Pick up a hiking trail map outside the Visitor Centre and explore waterfalls, rock formations, wildlife, and peaceful forest scenery. (Don't forget the bug spray!)

🌙 Experience Rugby After Dark
Discover Historic Rugby from a different perspective on a Historic Rugby After Dark tour, offered Thursday through Sunday. Advance reservations are required.

🍔 Grab a Bite at RM Brooks
No visit is complete without stopping by RM Brooks, the turn-of-the-century general store that's been family-owned for more than 100 years. Enjoy Tiffany's homemade country cooking, including her award-winning fried bologna sandwich! (Please note RM Brooks is closed on Sundays.)

🛏️ Stay the Weekend
There's too much to experience in one day! Extend your stay and make Historic Rugby your home base for a weekend of history, nature, creativity, and adventure. Lodging information is available at the link in the comments.

We can't wait to welcome you to Historic Rugby this weekend!

08/22/2026

The table settings are up for your vote! The table setting that has the most likes will get an award presented by the Plateau British Car Show today from 9-3 est. Come out and vote in person!

08/22/2026

Tonight’s winning team in Rugby’s Irish Road Bowling Special Car Show edition. Best of 5 teams! British Car Show is tomorrow (Saturday) 9-2:30 pm Eastern. Check it out!

08/21/2026

Thanks to Living East Tennessee for having John Rigby on their show yesterday to talk about the British Car Show & Tea Table Setting Contest, which is happening TOMORROW (Saturday, August 22nd) here in Historic Rugby! Come out and see these unforgettable automobiles - and be sure to stop by Uffington House to see all the beautiful tea table settings!

Come see this amazing car show in Rugby.