Keep up with the latest from the East Tennessee Historical Society
From the artifact of the month and book reviews to the latest news and announcements from the East Tennessee Historical Society.
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Native Americans in East TN during the revolutionary period
In the eighteenth century, East Tennessee was a homeland for Indigenous nations, particularly the Cherokee. European trade and colonial interference reshaped regional politics and Cherokee society, creating new pressures within their communities. During the American Revolution, Patriot militias launched campaigns that destroyed Cherokee towns, turning the conflict in Appalachia into a struggle that threatened Indigenous land, sovereignty, and survival.
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East Tennessee as a Borderland
Life Between Empires
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Reclaiming the "Maryville Six": The Racial Reintegration of Maryville College, 1954-1960
By Peter Wallenstein published in the Journal of East Tennessee History, Vol 96, 2024
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East Tennessee and the Making of America, 1775–1776
The Watauga Association: Self-Government on the Edge of Empire
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Radio Roundup
The streetscape here at the Museum of East Tennessee History has undergone some changes and gained a few new additions to showcase. In particular, the three cases to the left of Trolly 416 are now inhabited by artifacts that give a glimpse into the rich history of radio in Tennessee.
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A Closer Look at Trolley 416
Built in 1925 and once part of the city’s electric streetcar system, Car 416 carried passengers through downtown for over a decade before its retirement in the late 1930s. Unique features like upholstered seats, onboard mail slots, and its single-truck design made it both practical and ahead of its time. After decades as a vacation cabin, the car was rescued and restored, and now stands as a striking reminder of Knoxville’s streetcar era and the everyday lives it once connected.
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Pete Claussen named "East Tennessean of the Year" for 2025
On Wednesday, November 12, 250 guests gathered to celebrate Pete Claussen, the 11th recipient of the East Tennessee Historical Society’s East Tennessean of the Year award at Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville. The annual event featured a cocktail hour with live music, a seated dinner, and an award presentation.
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Regional Baseball Stories - Baseball in Rugby
East Tennessee boasts a rich baseball heritage, celebrated through Regional Baseball Stories, a collection of submitted tales from the community.
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Regional Baseball Stories - Ballpark Days and Home Field Honor
East Tennessee boasts a rich baseball heritage, celebrated through Regional Baseball Stories, a collection of submitted tales from the community.
