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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!

Category: Modern Tennessee

3-9-21

“They call me the Book Lady”: The Story of Dolly Parton

by Morgan Byrn If I were to walk into a classroom right now and holler “Dolly Parton,” most of the students would probably know who I was talking about. Many kids know her as the lady who sends free books. But did you know people around the world know Dolly as the Queen of Country Music? Let’s take a look at this amazing Tennessean.  Parton family photo, taken from Dolly Parton's official website dollyparton.com.  Replica of Parton family cabin located ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-9-21
History of Music/The Arts Modern Tennessee Women's History

3-4-21

Go See Tennessee: 1,000 Miles in 5 Blocks

by Emilee Dehmer West Tennessee: Mud Island, Memphis 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 wheneveryou read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to help you remember it for the future. Ready for ... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 3-4-21
Communities Modern Tennessee

2-11-21

The Tradition of Valentine’s Day

by Jennifer Watts Do you enjoy a holiday? They are a time to celebrate friends, family, and the people we care about. What better day then Valentine’s Day to show someone you love them.  Valentine’s Day has been around for a long time. Longer than many people might know. The special day’s origins may go back to ancient Rome. Back then, they had a festival to celebrate the beginning of spring. In the 400s, Pope Gelasius I, made a Christian priest named Valentine the pa... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 2-11-21
Modern Tennessee

2-9-21

The Tigers of Tennessee

by Matthew Gailani  A History of Tennessee State University Tennessee has many colleges, universities, and schools, each with its own history. Nashville, the state’s capital, is home to several campuses. One of them is Tennessee State University, or TSU. TSU is a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and was founded over 100 years ago in 1912. Its first name was the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School for Negroes.* It was a public school built to teac... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 2-9-21
African American History Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

1-12-21

"The Head Ball Coach"

by Matthew Gailani The Story of Steve Spurrier Sports, from football to basketball, are very popular across the state of Tennessee. The Volunteer State has been home to many athletes and coaches at both the professional and college level. Few, however, are as well-known or successful as the “Head Ball Coach,” Steve Spurrier. Stephen Orr Spurrier was born in Miami Beach, Florida at St. Francis Hospital on April 20, 1945 to Reverend J. Graham Spurrier Jr. and Marjorie Orr Spurrie... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 1-12-21
Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

12-24-20

Go See Tennessee: A Bright Holiday Tradition

by Emilee Dehmer Middle Tennessee: Opryland Hotel Holiday Lights, Nashville 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 fo... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 12-24-20
Communities Modern Tennessee

12-17-20

Go See Tennessee: Have You Bean to this Museum?

by Emilee Dehmer East Tennessee: Bush’s Beans Visitor Center and Museum, Chestnut Hill 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 y... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 12-17-20
Communities Modern Tennessee

11-19-20

Go See Tennessee: The G.O.A.T of Tennessee Festivals

by Emilee Dehmer The G.O.A.T of Tennessee Festivals Middle Tennessee: Goats, Music, and More Festival, Lewisburg 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, wri... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 11-19-20
Communities Modern Tennessee

10-20-20

Tennesseans in Space

by Jennifer Watts Have you ever dreamed of going into space? To be like astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first men to walk on the moon? Dr. Margaret Rhea Seddon and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are two Tennesseans who made their dreams of space travel come true. Combined they have spent 208 days in space and have orbited the earth 3,296 times. Dr. Margaret Rhea Seddon, Tennessee State Museum Collection. Dr. Rhea Seddon was born in Murfreesboro, TN in 1947. When she w... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 10-20-20
Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

9-18-20

Go See Tennessee: Ducks on Parade

by Emilee Dehmer West Tennessee - Peabody Hotel, Memphis 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... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 9-18-20
Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

9-10-20

Sports in Tennessee

by Lauren Grizzard Tennessee athletes have played in championships, won gold medals, fallen short a few times, but had loyal fans cheering them on all the way. Whether you love to play, or you love to watch, sports have allowed Tennesseans to shine. Let’s see what you know about sports in Tennessee! Click the link below to take the Sports in Tennessee Quiz: Sports in Tennessee Quiz   Lauren Grizzard is the Scheduling Coordinator at the Tennessee State Museum.  Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 9-10-20
Modern Tennessee Tennessee in the 20th Century

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