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Junior Curators

Each week on the Junior Curators blog, we travel back in time to a different place in Tennessee history. Stories may be about a famous person, place or event from Tennessee’s past. They will include things like priceless artifacts, pictures, videos, and even some games. Be sure to better understand the story by answering the questions at the end of each post.

After learning the story, be sure to share what you've learned with your parents, family, or friends. Try making your own exhibit about it, shooting a movie, or writing a story about it. Let your creativity run wild!

 

2-21-23

First of Many: Ida B. Wells Part III

First of Many Part III-The Fight for Equality By Philip Staffelli-Suel Welcome back to our final blog of the three-part series exploring the life of Ida B. Well-Barnett.  When we left our last adventure, Mrs. Wells was fighting for the right for women to vote.  Today, we will be closing out our series talking about Mrs. Well’s fight for African American equality. Wells was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), but she nev... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 2-21-23
Black History Civil War and Reconstruction

2-14-23

Fisk University

By: Tori Kleinpeter Once the Civil War ended, the United States had to put itself back together after the destruction of the war. This period is called “Reconstruction.” During this time, there were lots of changes to the way people lived. The biggest one was the newly freed population of African Americans.  Tennessee now had over 275,000 free people that had been enslaved just a few years before. Before the Civil War, it was illegal in many states to teach enslaved individua... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 2-14-23
Black History Civil War and Reconstruction

1-31-23

The First of Many - Part II: Suffrage

By Philip Staffelli-Suel I desire no quarrel with the W.C.T.U., but my love for the truth is greater than my regard for an alleged friend who, through ignorance or design misrepresents in the most harmful way the cause of a long suffering race…. -Ida B. Wells-Barnett Welcome back to an exciting adventure of Ida B. Wells-Barnett.  When we last left off Mrs. Wells had retired from the newspaper in 1897.  Today we are going to talk about her trailblazing work in getting women... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 1-31-23
Black History Women's History

1-24-23

Name That County Quiz pt. 7

Tennessee has ninety-five different counties.  Each one is unique with its own history and people.  Take the quiz and see how well you know Tennessee.  Take the quiz here. Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 1-24-23
Communities

1-17-23

Manifest Destiny and Tennessee

By Philip Staffelli-Suel Welcome back Junior Curators! Today we are going to learn about an important topic in U.S. history, Manifest Destiny. This was the belief that the United States should grow and expand all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The phrase was coined, or created, in 1845 and became very popular. Do you know who was president in 1845? James K. Polk, a Tennessean! Tennesseans played an important role in the idea of Manifest Destiny. Today we are going to look at three Tennesseans... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 1-17-23
Statehood/Early Tennessee

12-12-22

West Tennessee: Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memorial Park Cemetery

By Joyska Nunez-Medina There are so many cool and exciting places in Tennessee. So many, that you might not know about them all. That’s what Go See Tennessee is all about. We’re here to tell you about places we think are neat and that you might want to visit too. It might be helpful to make a “Go and See” List, and whenever you read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to help you remember it for the future. Ready for this week’s place? Let’s go!... Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 12-12-22
Modern Tennessee

11-29-22

Video Didn’t Kill This Radio Star

By Christopher Grisham What does selling insurance policies have to do with the longest running radio music show in history?  At first you wouldn’t think that these two things are related at all.  But if there hadn’t been the National Life and Accident Insurance Company taking advantage of new technology to reach customers, we wouldn’t have the Grand Ole Opry today. In 1925, the National Life and Accident Insurance Company turned an office in their downtown Nas... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 11-29-22
Tennessee History Tennessee in the 20th Century

11-14-22

Spot the Difference: “Weddings in the Big Smokies, Tennessee”

by Emilee Dehmer This painting, titled “Weddings in the Big Smokies, Tennessee,” was painted in 1886 by John Stokes. This painting shows an old mountain custom called a “shivaree.” This tradition probably got started way back in the medieval times in Europe! After two people got married, the guests of the wedding would chase after the newlyweds. They would make a lot of noise while doing it. They would bang pots and pans, ring bells, shout, and fire guns. You can s... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 11-14-22
Tennessee History

11-8-22

Ida B. Wells-Barnett - The First of Many Part I - Journalism

By Philip Staffelli-Suel Welcome back Junior Curators! This is the start of a series exploring how one individual in Tennessee’s past became the first of many things. Together we will learn about how one person can change the course of history. Everyday something is happening in the world. It can be hard for people to keep up with current events. How do we get news today? The internet, radio, television, and…newspapers. Before there were many platforms of communication, newspap... Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 11-8-22
Black History Civil War and Reconstruction

11-3-22

Four Tennesseans That DIDN’T Become President

By Christopher Grisham Most students across Tennessee can probably list the three U.S. presidents that came from Tennessee.  Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson are the only people from our state (so far) that have served in the highest office of government. But they are not the only people from Tennessee that ran for president. There have been a few others that came close but didn’t quite make it. Andrew Jackson Okay, so this first one is a little bit of a cheat. ... Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 11-3-22
Statehood/Early Tennessee Tennessee History

10-27-22

Tennessee Legends: The Bell Witch

By Victoria Kleinpeter On the banks of the Red River in Robertson County lies the sleepy town of Adams, Tennessee. With its population at 624, you might think that the area often gets overlooked. However, for many decades the town has captured the attention of ghost hunters, historians, and paranormal enthusiasts from all over the world. Why? Because it is the site of the infamous haunting of the Bell Witch.  The Bell House as it looked in 1820, 1894, An Authenticated History o... Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 10-27-22
Tennessee History

10-13-22

What Do the Three Stars on the Tennessee State Flag Mean? The Story of Tennessee Geography

By Jennifer Watts Have you ever wondered why the Tennessee State flag has three stars? The stars represent the three grand divisions of the state! One star is for East Tennessee. One star is for Middle Tennessee. One star is for West Tennessee. The stars are placed at an angle to each other so that no one star is above the other. Meaning, no grand division is above the next. Each grand division is equal. But there is more to the geography of Tennessee than the three divisions. Let’s le... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 10-13-22
Tennessee History

10-6-22

Who Are the Fisk Jubilee Singers?

By Jennifer Watts Tennessee has rich musical traditions. From folk, country, blues, and gospel, music has been an important part of the state’s legacy. The Fisk Jubilee Singers is one musical group that has been performing for over 150 years! They have traveled the world and performed for some of the most famous people in history including a United States President and a Queen! The story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers is one of hardships and success. Let’s learn more about how this ... Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 10-6-22
Black History Civil War and Reconstruction

9-29-22

Five Restaurants You Didn't Know Started in Tennessee

By Christopher Grisham There are a lot of great places in Tennessee to get something to eat if you don’t feel like cooking! Tennesseans have a long and diverse history with food. Each culture and group across the state’s history has added their own flavor (pun intended) to the Tennessee menu. The Tennessee State Museum even made an exhibit on food one time called Let’s Eat! As much as Tennesseans love food, it will probably not surprise you to learn that several restau... Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 9-29-22
Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

9-22-22

Name That County Quiz pt. 6

by Jennifer Watts Tennessee has ninety-five different counties. Each one is unique with its own history and people. Take the quiz and see how well you know Tennessee. Name That County Quiz Read More
Posted by Stephanie Davis at 9-22-22

9-14-22

WWII Stories: Interned at Camp Forrest

By Emilee Dehmer December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy. The country of Japan attacked the American military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They flew planes and dropped bombs. Over 2,000 people were killed. And so, America went to war with Japan. This is how America officially joined World War II. Nothing like Pearl Harbor had ever happened before. The war had been overseas, not here. Not at home. People were afraid. America thought something had to be done. This plaque shows t... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 9-14-22
Communities Modern Tennessee Tennessee History Tennessee in the 20th Century

9-7-22

A Tennessee Connection: The Story of Old Glory

By Jennifer Watts This year the United States is 246 years old. As a nation, there are symbols to honor its birth.  The most recognizable is the flag. Over the years, the flag has changed several times and has been known by different names. Today, the flag is sometimes known as “Old Glory”, but where did that nickname come from? Many people don’t know it has a Tennessee connection. The flag’s nickname goes back to the 1800s to a man living in Nashville, Tennessee... Read More
Posted by Jennifer Watts at 9-7-22
Civil War and Reconstruction Tennessee History

7-18-22

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Scopes “Monkey” Trial

  Scopes Trial by Henry Billings, Tennessee State Museum, 2012.38 By Grace Allen In 1925, Tennessee passed the Butler Act. This was the first law in any state that said schools were not allowed to teach evolution. In that same year, a man named John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution in Dayton, Tennessee. During the trial, a famous lawyer named Clarence Darrow defended Scopes. William Jennings Bryan, a well-known politician, argued against Scopes. The case attracted a lot o... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 7-18-22
Modern Tennessee

7-1-22

Alfred Martin Ray and the Spanish-American War

By Philip Staffelli-Suel Welcome back Junior Curators! Today we are going to be talking about the Spanish-American War and Alfred Martin Ray. What is the Spanish-American War? In February of 1895, Cubans began a rebellion against Spanish rule. Over the next few years, support for the Cubans spread throughout the United States. Remember, the United State once fought to be free from a European power too. The way newspapers reported on the conflict became known as yellow journalism. This caused... Read More
Posted by Christopher Grisham at 7-1-22
Black History Modern Tennessee

5-24-22

Name That County Quiz pt. 5

by Jennifer Watts Tennessee has ninety-five different counties.  Each one is unique with its own history and people.  Take the quiz and see how well you know Tennessee.  Name That County Quiz Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-24-22

5-17-22

Go See Tennessee: The Lost Sea

Tennessee’s Largest Underground Lake by Jennifer Watts There are so many cool and exciting places in Tennessee. So many, that you might not know about them all. That’s what Go See Tennessee is all about. We’re here to tell you about places we think are neat and that you might want to visit too. It might be helpful to make a “Go and See” List, and whenever you read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to help you remember it for the future. Ready for t... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-17-22

5-10-22

Captured: Part Five

by Emilee Dehmur The American soldiers were shouting louder than they normally did, and their tones were harsher. “Hurry up. Get in there!” they yelled as they led all the prisoners into the movie theater. They were forced to sit on the floor. The lights dimmed and the clacking of the film reel hummed behind them as it began to play. The images on the screen were gruesome. It was from allied liberators in Germany. They were filming their entrance on the Jewish concentration... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-10-22
Communities Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

5-3-22

Captured: Part Four

by Emilee Dehmur The first few prisoners to help were chosen. The guards gripped their guns tightly and opened the door to the outside world. This was the first time the Germans had set foot outside of the camp since they arrived. Each German had two American soldiers by their sides. As they arrived at the first farm, the men jumped out eager to do work outside the camp. They worked until the sun went down and were closely guarded until they were safely back behind the walls of Crossville. ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-3-22
Communities Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

4-26-22

Seeing Through the Smoke: The Story of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

by Jennifer Watts Many songs have been written about the Smoky Mountains. Many you might have heard, like “Rocky Top” and “On Top of Old Smokey.” But what is the story behind the songs? Are you ready to learn more? Let’s take a closer look at the story behind the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mountains we call the Smokies were formed millions of years ago. They changed into what we see today over all that time. Many people have called them home for t... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 4-26-22
Southeastern Indian History Tennessee History

4-19-22

Captured: Part Three

by Emilee Dehmer Indeed, life at Crossville was not what any of the officers had thought it would be. No one could have dreamt that when they were captured in Africa that their life in America would be like this. After all, Crossville had an infirmary, bathhouse, dining hall, rec hall, fire station, post office, and store. They even had tennis and soccer fields! The Germans called their new home “Camp Country Club”.  Colonel Harry E. Dudley Papers, 1916-1966, Tennessee S... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 4-19-22
Communities Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

4-11-22

Captured: Part Two

by Emily Dehmer As the Germans unloaded from the bus, the bright spotlights from the guard towers lit up the night. The men, in a single-file line, were led into the medical tent. There they were showered, deloused, and given a fresh pair of clothes. A team of doctors and nurses looked over those who arrived, most suffering from battle wounds or diseases. After they were done in the medical tent, they made their way to their new homes. As they filed out of the tent, they were led to a large... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 4-11-22
Communities Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

4-5-22

Captured: Part One

by Emilee Dehmer The first of a five-part series. Captured. The heat from the African sun made them sticky with sweat. Their uniforms stuck to their bodies as they marched in line. Their captors walked alongside them with guns to make sure they did not escape. One of them asked, “Was warden sie mit uns machen?”                 “I don’t speak German,” a soldier with a gun replied. ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 4-5-22
Modern Tennessee

3-29-22

Dragging Canoe: A Cherokee Warrior

by Philip Staffelli-Suel Welcome back Junior Curators! Here in Tennessee we have a rich Native American history. Today we are going to be talking about the Cherokee tribe and one of their leaders, Dragging Canoe. That may seem like a unique name but think of it more as a nickname. He was the son of Cherokee diplomat, Attakullakulla. Even at a young age, he wanted to be a warrior. So, he asked his father if he could join a war party. His father refused, so he hid in a canoe. After his fa... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-29-22
Communities Frontier/Before Statehood Southeastern Indian History

3-22-22

GeeHawing Mule Day Letter

by Morgan Byrn Dear Granny, You won’t believe this! I just got back from the Mule Day celebration! Remember when I told you about that funny little pin I saw at the Tennessee State Museum? You know the one that said Mule Day? Well, I told Mom and Dad about it, and they planned a trip to Mule Day! We drove down to Columbia, Tennessee on Saturday morning. Our first stop was to set up our chairs on the parade route. We sat our chairs in front of President Polk’s house. Dad said we ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-22-22
Communities

3-7-22

Name that Tennessee County Quiz pt. 4

by Jennifer Watts Tennessee has ninety-five different counties.  Each one is unique with its own history and people.  Take the quiz and see how well you know Tennessee. Name that Tennessee County Quiz Pt. 4 Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-7-22
Communities

3-1-22

The First Railroad in Tennessee

By Emilee Dehmer Okay, well maybe not the first railroad in Tennessee. The first railroad to operate a train in Tennessee award belongs to the LaGrange and Memphis Railroad who started in 1842. Our railroad for today, the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, was chartered in 1845. We say it is the first railroad in Tennessee because it was the first complete line to operate. The Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad (N&C) was established in 1845, thanks to the help of John Overton and Repr... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-1-22
Civil War and Reconstruction Communities Statehood/Early Tennessee

2-15-22

Go See Tennessee: The Courthouse and the Civil War

Middle Tennessee: Rutherford County Courthouse and Rutherford County Museum, Murfreesboro by Philip Staffelli There are so many cool and exciting places in Tennessee. So many, that you might not know about them all. That’s what Go See Tennessee is all about. We’re here to tell you about places we think are neat and that you might want to visit too. It might be helpful to make a “Go and See” list, and whenever you read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 2-15-22
Civil War and Reconstruction Communities

2-8-22

TN225: William Strickland, The Capitol’s Architect

By Jennifer Watts Can you image being 225 years old?! In 2021, Tennessee celebrated its 225th birthday on June 1st. To commemorate the event, the Tennessee State Museum is highlighting one hundred artifacts throughout the state’s history. One of those artifacts is a portrait of William Strickland. He was the architect of the Tennessee State Capitol. Let’s take a closer look at the man behind the painting and one of the most historic buildings in the state.   Portrait of W... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 2-8-22
Statehood/Early Tennessee

2-1-22

Diane Nash: A Civil Rights Legend

By Philip Staffelli Welcome back Junior Curators! February is Black History Month! So, in this blog we are going to learn about someone important to Black History, Tennessee History, and United States History. Today we are going to explore the life of Civil Rights activist, Diane Nash. Diane Judith Nash was born in 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. She was raised a Catholic and attended public and Catholic schools. Nash even considered becoming a nun. After graduating high school, she first atten... Read More
Posted by Matthew Gailani at 2-1-22
Black History Tennessee in the 20th Century

1-24-22

TN225: Tennessee’s First Governor’s Pocket Watch

By Jennifer Watts Can you imagine being 225 years old?!  On June 1, 2021, Tennessee celebrated its 225th birthday.  To commemorate the event, the Tennessee State Museum is highlighting one hundred artifacts throughout the state’s history. Let’s take a closer look at the story behind one of those artifacts, the pocket watch of Tennessee’s first governor. John Sevier’s Pocket Watch, TSM Collection When Tennessee became a state in 1796, the people elected... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 1-24-22
Frontier/Before Statehood Statehood/Early Tennessee

1-18-22

Name that Tennessee County Quiz (cont.)

By Jennifer Watts Tennessee has ninety-five different counties.  Each one is unique with its own history and people.  Take the quiz and see how well you know Tennessee.  If you need a hint, check out the picture for a clue.  Have fun and enjoy! Take the Quiz Now! Jennifer Watts is an Educator at the Tennessee State Museum. Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 1-18-22
Modern Tennessee

1-10-22

Lewis and Seaman?

By Emilee Dehmer In the late 1700s, there were many colonial towns and cities all throughout the eastern part of the United States. After American independence, and as more and more people arrived in America, settlers began to push westward. They did this to find new land and begin new settlements, even though people were already living there. Tennessee is an example of this westward expansion and was granted statehood in 1796. All the official states though were east of the Mississippi Rive... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 1-10-22
Statehood/Early Tennessee

12-14-21

Dear Santa, Can I have oranges, candy, and some firecrackers?

By Morgan Byrn "Silent Night" by Jean Gauld-Jaeger shows the Tennessee State Capitol at Christmas. Taken from Tennessee State Museum Collection Have you ever thought about the things we do on the holidays? Putting presents in hanging socks and bringing in trees to decorate them seem like odd traditions. A lot of these traditions come from a time called the Victorian Era. During this time, Christmas became a major holiday in the United States. Let’s unwrap some popular tr... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 12-14-21
Communities Innovations Modern Tennessee

12-7-21

TN225: The Tennessee State Flag

By Jennifer Watts Did you know that Tennessee has not always had a state flag? It’s true! As we commemorate Tennessee’s 225th birthday this year, let’s look back at the history of our state’s iconic flag. Tennessee was formed from the western lands of the state of North Carolina. Before it was known as Tennessee, it was called the “Territory South of the Ohio River” or “Southwest Territory” for short. Shortly after the end of the American Revo... Read More
Posted by Jennifer Watts at 12-7-21
Communities Tennessee History

11-16-21

Go See Tennessee: The Enduring Gift that will Live Forever

By Emilee Dehmer East Tennessee: Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore There are so many cool and exciting places in Tennessee. So many, that you might not know about them all. That’s what Go See Tennessee is all about. We’re here to tell you about places we think are neat and that you might want to visit too. It might be helpful to make a “Go and See” list, and whenever you read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to help you remember it for the fu... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 11-16-21
Innovations Southeastern Indian History Statehood/Early Tennessee

11-2-21

John Ross: Principal Chief of the Cherokee People

By Jennifer Watts There are times when you need a leader. A person to guide you and keep you moving forward. In the early 1800s, the Cherokee people needed such a leader. A man to fight for their Nation and its people.  That man was John Ross, but who was he? How did he become the great leader the Cherokee needed when times were getting tough? John Ross was not born in Tennessee. He was born October 3, 1790 in northern Alabama. He moved to Tennessee when he was seven years old with his... Read More
Posted by Jennifer Watts at 11-2-21
Southeastern Indian History Statehood/Early Tennessee

10-26-21

The Nashoba Community: A Tennessee Utopia?

By Katie Yenna What do you think an “intentional community” means? Well, the name speaks for itself! It is a planned community where people with similar beliefs and values decide to live and work together as a team. These communities usually have a goal for their residents, much like the Nashoba establishment in Tennessee. This Nashoba Community was established in 1825 by Francis Wright, an abolitionist from the United Kingdom. Her intention was to create a “utopian” ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 10-26-21
Black History Communities Statehood/Early Tennessee Women's History

10-19-21

Remember the Maine! (And the Spanish-American War)

By Matthew Gailani On April 22, 1898, the USS Nashville fired shots at a Spanish ship. The Nashville was an American gunboat sailing near Cuba at the time. It was commanded by a Tennessean. His name was Washburn Maynard. Maynard’s father was from Knoxville and supported the North during the Civil War. Thirty-Three years later, Maynard found himself at the beginning of a different war. This was the Spanish-American War, and he had just fired some of the first shots. But why was the U.S.... Read More
Posted by Matthew Gailani at 10-19-21
Modern Tennessee

10-12-21

Sequoyah and His Syllabary

By Christopher Grisham If you are here, I bet you can read and write in English. The English alphabet that you know and use today developed over hundreds of years. It used words and rules from many other languages. Many people have made it what it is today. But what if one person sat down and created a written language by themselves? What would that language look like? That is exactly what happened once right here in Tennessee. Around 1776, a man named Sequoyah, or George Gist, was born in ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 10-12-21
Communities Innovations Southeastern Indian History

10-5-21

War of 1812: Things you didn’t know happened during the war

By Katie Yenna Did you know that only 29 years after we gained our independence from England, they decided to pick another fight with us? Beginning in 1812, we entered what some historians call our “Second War for Independence” with Great Britain. After it officially ended in 1815, it left us with a new feeling of national pride and freedom from England. It also began traditions, created legends and national symbols that are still recognized today. Keep reading to find out what t... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 10-5-21
Statehood/Early Tennessee

9-28-21

Anniversaries, The Parthenon, and Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition

By Grace Allen This year we are celebrating Tennessee’s 225th birthday! Another name for this special anniversary is bicenquasquitennial. That’s a big word! Over the years, Tennesseans have honored the birth of our state by hosting events and by creating parks and monuments. Tennessee Centennial Exposition Poster Nashville’s Centennial Park and the Parthenon came from our state’s 100th anniversary, or centennial, celebration. That celebration was called the Tenn... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 9-28-21
Communities Tennessee History

9-21-21

Go See Tennessee: The Middle of It All

by Emilee Dehmer    Middle Tennessee: Geographic Center of Tennessee, Murfreesboro There are so many cool and exciting places in Tennessee. So many, that you might not know about them all. That’s what Go See Tennessee is all about. We’re here to tell you about places we think are neat and that you might want to visit too. It might be helpful to make a “Go and See” List, and whenever you read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to h... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 9-21-21
Statehood/Early Tennessee

9-14-21

Tennessee 225: The 13-Star U.S. Flag

by Jennifer Watts On June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the sixteenth state in the United States of America. It has been two hundred and twenty-five years since that date. As part of our state’s anniversary, the Tennessee State Museum is highlighting some of our artifacts on display that tell the story of Tennessee’s people, history, and culture. The artifact we would like to highlight today is the thirteen-star U.S. flag currently displayed in the ‘Forging a Nation’ gall... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 9-14-21
Statehood/Early Tennessee

9-7-21

More Tennesseans in Space

by Jennifer Watts Many people dream of becoming an astronaut. I know I have. As of 2021, seven Tennesseans have made that dream come true. In the first “Tennesseans in Space” blog, we learned about Dr. Margaret Rhea Seddon and Barry “Butch” Wilmore. Today we are going to learn about the other five. In 1992, three of them were part of the same flight crew and went to space together! Autographed photo of the STS-52 Crew, Tennessee State Museum Collection. (Pil... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 9-7-21
Innovations Tennessee in the 20th Century

8-24-21

Name that Tennessee County

by Jennifer Watts Tennessee has ninety-five different counties.  Each one is unique with its own history and people.  Take the quiz and see how well you know Tennessee.  If you need a hint, check out the picture for a clue.  Have fun and enjoy! Tennessee County Quiz   Jennifer Watts is an Educator at the Tennessee State Museum.   Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 8-24-21
Communities
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