History & Heritage
Knoxville has been home to its share of drama and famous folks from the history books.
Discover a rich history of musical milestones and military masterminds, literary lights and ghoulish ghost stories. Knoxville's walking tours, carriage rides, and historical homes and sites keep history alive and meaningful for all ages and interests. Trace your family history at the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville which houses the Southeast's largest resource for genealogical research or explore the history of Knoxville's seven historic homes of the Civil War and the First Frontier. Want to get a gander at Davy Crockett's famous rifle, Old Betsy? Our museums, tours and other historic sites will add immeasurably to your visit.
Alex Haley Statue - Haley Heritage Square
Read Full StoryAlex Haley Square is a part of Morningside Park in east Knoxville. The park is renown across the United States for having the only 13 foot tall bronze statue of author and Pulitzer prize winner Alex…
Armstrong-Lockett House (Crescent Bend) & W.P. Toms Memorial Gardens
Read Full StoryBuilt in 1834 by Drury Paine Armstrong, this hoistoric home contains an exqauisite collection of 18th Century American and English furniture, decorative arts and an outstanding collection of English…
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Read Full StoryFeaturing the history of African Americans in Knoxville and East Tennessee from the late 1800's to the present through photographs, newspapers, biographies, audio and video recordings, books and…
Bijou Theatre
Read Full StoryIn addition to being housed in Knoxville's fourth oldest building, the Bijou Theatre has an atmosphere that's perfect for live music and the perfomring arts. Many performers and music fans…
Blount Mansion
Read Full StoryNestled in the center of Downtown Knoxville's government district, Blount Mansion offers history that is hard to miss. Here, among the towers of glass, steel and brick, sits a house - small by…
Confederate Memorial Hall (Bleak House)
Read Full StoryThis Tuscan style villa was once owned by the Armstrongs who gave it the name "Bleak House" from a Charles Dickens poem. Confederate War General James Longstreet used it as his headquarters during…
Cradle of Country Music Walking Tour
Read Full StoryA self-guided downtown walking tour highlighting the beginnings of country music in Knoxville. The tour includes markers regarding Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, The Everly Brothers, Roy Acuff and…
Daisy's Place Girl Scout Museum
Read Full StoryOwned and operated by Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, Inc., the museum's collection of memorabilia represnts 80 years of Girl Scouting in Tennessee. Holdings include early Girl Scout uniforms,…
Dogwood Arts Festival (April)
Read Full StoryThe best 17 days in April! Celebrate spring with special events throughout Knox County including art shows, crafts fairs, delicious food and live music plus more than 60 miles of landscaping and…
East Tennessee History Center
Read Full StoryAs home of a regional history museum, a premier genealogy research library and historical archives, the ETHC brings visitors face to face with our region's history makers.
