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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: 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

7-28-20

The Clinton 12: The Integration Story of Tennessee’s Public Schools

by Mamie Hassell  Do YOU love school? Smart teachers, cool computers, a fun playground, art class, fancy instruments for music class, a big library, wonderful sports, and a tasty cafeteria for lunch. Are these some of your favorite things about it? Well what if your school had all this cool stuff, but another school in your town did not? Do you think this would be fair? Sadly, schools were not always equal. Black students were not given rights because of the color of their skin. Many B... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 7-28-20
African American History Communities Tennessee in the 20th Century

7-21-20

Meet me at the Fairy Floss Stand! Tennessee’s Sweet History of Cotton Candy

by Morgan Byrn In 1904, people were introduced to Fairy Floss at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. What is Fairy Floss? That was the original name for cotton candy. So how does all of this relate to Tennessee history? Let us dive into the sweet, sugary past of cotton candy. William Morrison and John C. Wharton lived in Nashville, Tennessee in the late 1800’s. Mr. Morrison was a dentist, and Mr. Wharton was a candy maker. Can you believe that a dentist and a candy maker we... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 7-21-20
Innovations Tennessee in the 20th Century

6-23-20

You Can Be an Oral Historian

by Jennifer Watts Have you ever heard someone say, “When I was a kid things were different?” I know I have. One of my dad’s favorite things to do was telling me what it was like when he was my age. At the time, it was something I had to listen to. Now I know those stories were important. Life was different for him as a child. Historians use stories, or records, like his to learn about life in the past. You can too! The stories my father told me are called oral histories. H... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 6-23-20
Communities Tennessee in the 20th Century

5-28-20

Gardening for Victory

by Jennifer Watts Have you ever asked your parents, “What’s for dinner?” I know I have. During World War II, making a healthy, delicious meal was difficult. A lot of the food grown by the United States was needed to feed soldiers fighting overseas. Not much was left for the people at home. So what did the people on the home front do? The answer was simple and something we can still do today. Grow your own food! Victory gardens, were an easy solution.  Your War Gard... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-28-20
Tennessee in the 20th Century

5-19-20

Marathon Motor Works: The First Cars Made in Tennessee

by Christopher Grisham                                                                 In 1913, the first transcontinental highway across the entire United States was finished. They named it the Lincoln Highway and it went from New York City to San Francisco.  A sudden boom in people buying a new invention called the “... Read More
Posted by Katie Yenna at 5-19-20
Innovation Tennessee in the 20th Century

5-5-20

The WASP That Doesn't Sting

by Lauren Grizzard Doris Brinker Tanner was a WASP. No, not the insect that flies around and stings. WASP stands for Women Airforce Service Pilot. During World War II, most men were needed as soldiers. Because of this, the military turned to women for help. One of these ways was to become a pilot! Doris Tanner Many women in Tennessee served as WASPs. One of them was Doris Tanner. Doris learned to fly planes in college. She went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. When World War... Read More
Posted by Joseph Pagetta at 5-5-20
Tennessee in the 20th Century Women’s History

4-22-20

How Young W.C. Handy Grew Up to Become “The Father of the Blues”

by Jeff Sellers The day finally arrived.  For weeks young W.C. Handy had worked odd jobs. He picked berries. He made soap. He saved and saved. Now he had enough money to buy the guitar he always wanted.  Young W.C. loved music. I mean really loved music. He played every chance he could get. Every Sunday he played at church where his father was the local pastor. When he proudly showed the guitar to his mother and father, they were displeased, or unhappy. W.C. Handy’s boyho... Read More
Posted by Joseph Pagetta at 4-22-20
African American History History of Music/The Arts Tennessee in the 20th Century

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