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!

Category: Jacksonian Tennessee

3-11-21

Mystery Artifact: Guess that Tennessean

by Lauren Grizzard Items from the past, or artifacts, can teach us about the culture and technology of a different time. They teach us about the people that used them and what their lives might have been like. Today, we are going to look at three artifacts and see if you can determine who might have used them. Hint: They all belonged to the same Tennessean. What do you notice this is made from? Does it look like something you’ve seen before? What do you think th... Read More

Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-11-21

Jacksonian Tennessee Women's History

12-15-20

Who was David Crockett?

by Jennifer Watts Have you ever heard of Davy Crockett? I’m sure many of you will say yes. Many of the stories you may have heard today are really legends. Did you know his name wasn’t even Davy? He went by David. His life story has been told many times thru the years. So, who was the real “King of the Wild Frontier"? David Crockett was born August 17, 1786, in East Tennessee. His family was not rich. David had to help work off his father’s debts as a kid. This ... Read More

Posted by Katie Yenna at 12-15-20

Jacksonian Tennessee

11-17-20

Dots, Dashes, and a Polk

by Christopher Grisham In the early 1800s, the world shrank. Boats and trains became faster with the invention of the steam engine. This allowed people to travel farther than ever before. But the telegraph connected more people than any other invention. The telegraph let people send messages across the entire country by using dots and dashes in place of letters. All you needed was a telegraph machine and a telegraph line. Telegraph 1840-1865, Tennessee State Museum Collection. Sam... Read More

Posted by Katie Yenna at 11-17-20

Innovations Jacksonian Tennessee

7-7-20

What Does a Tennessee Cave Have to Do with Stamps?

by Christopher Grisham If someone tells you that you’ve got mail, most people today think of e-mail. Packages are delivered mostly by FedEx, UPS, or Amazon. To talk to you, your friends may use the phone to call or text you instead of sending a letter. When your parents open the mailbox outside, it is probably full of junk mail and bills. It may seem like it would be easy to live without the Post Office today, but using it is still a great way to commmunicate. Envelope with st... Read More

Posted by Katie Yenna at 7-7-20

Innovations Jacksonian Tennessee

5-14-20

The Unwanted Journey on the Trail of Tears

by Emilee Dehmer Just imagine: It’s a Tuesday. The sun is shining brightly in the sky and the weather is the perfect temperature outside. You are playing with your sibling when you see someone in the distance. It looks like they are wearing a uniform. It looks like they have a gun. You run inside to tell your parents, when the stranger in the distance starts shouting. As they come closer to your house, you hear them say “Everybody out!” Your parents quickly try to gather s... Read More

Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-14-20

Jacksonian Tennessee Southeastern Indian History