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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

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

9-14-22

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

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

5-10-22

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

4-19-22

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

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

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

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

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
Black 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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