Saving East Tennessee’s Endangered Heritage

By: Ethiel Garlington

In March, the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) announced the 2010 East Tennessee’s Endangered Heritage list of endangered historic buildings and places in the region.

The inaugural list of endangered historic places was selected by the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Board of Directors from nominations received from members and the general public.  ETPA partners with organizations and businesses across the region to find preservation solutions for the endangered properties we identify for the annual list and encourage the communities across the region to join us in our efforts to save our endangered heritage.

The Alexander Inn is one of the most significant landmarks in Oak Ridge from the Manhattan Project.  It was built in 1943 in Oak Ridge to serve the “Secret City” and the many notable guests from the era.  In December 2009, a newly formed non-profit organization, Oak Ridge Revitalization Effort (ORRE), acquired the landmark building.  Even with the new owners, the future is uncertain for the Alexander Inn.  ETPA will continue working with ORRE and other partners to ensure the future of the Alexander Inn is secure for generations.

The Martin Mansion is in the Wildwood Community of Blount County.  Warner Martin was one of the early settlers of East Tennessee and friend of John Sevier and George Washington.  The circa 1800 house is significant for its historical value and for its unique woodwork and details that still remain in the house.  ETPA will be hosting a volunteer work day at Martin Mansion during Preservation Month in May with the Blount County Historical Trust.  The house desperately needs to be secured to prevent any further damage from the elements, and ETPA encourages the property owner to continue working with preservationists to find solutions for the significant house.

The Old Lafollette Post Office served the community until a new post office was built outside of downtown in 2008.  Since then the old post office has been on the market, but with the current real estate climate it has languished on the market. ETPA hopes a qualified buyer can be found or that the City of Lafollette can work out an arrangement with the USPS to acquire the building for use as a library or the Campbell County Historical Society.

The Graham-Kivette House, built circa 1810, is the oldest home in Tazewell and one of only a few buildings that survived a disastrous fire in 1862. The house has been neglected and not properly maintained for years and needs attention immediately.  ETPA hopes that listing the house will help draw local awareness to the historic value of the house and the necessity of action before the house is lost due to neglect, deterioration, or fire.  ETPA will work with the Claiborne County government, Claiborne Historical Society, and the East Tennessee Development District to determine the most effective strategy to protect this community resource.

The Gilliland-Odell House is the only surviving structure of the old town of New Port, which was established as the seat of Cocke County in 1799.  The town remained the county seat until about 1884 when all county offices were moved to the present town of Newport on the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap and Charleston railroad lines.  The Federal style house is a unique architectural gem and should be preserved.  The arched fanlights and door surrounds are indicative of the era, but unusual for East Tennessee. The National Register-listed house needs attention before it loses any more of its unique architectural details and ETPA encourages the property owners to maintain the house.

Several Abandoned Rural Schoolhouses in Grainger County still remain and should be protected.  There are also other historic school buildings around the region that need attention. ETPA recognizes that each of these schools present unique challenges and each school will have a unique solution.   Unfortunately, little background information is available for some of these rural schools.  ETPA will work with property owners and local officials to help develop plans for these and other abandoned rural schoolhouses in the region.

Morristown College is a historically black college and one of the most important African-American landmarks in East Tennessee.  It has been listed on the statewide endangered list and was recently nominated to the National endangered list.  After the college closed its doors and ceased operations as a campus of Knoxville College it was auctioned to a private developer who has not maintained the campus.  ETPA urges the property owner to sell or donate the property to a suitable buyer who can make use of the campus.  ETPA will continue working with local leaders in Morristown and potential buyers.

In Quaker Valley in New Market there are a few hundred acres of prime farmland that are in the crosshairs of the railroad developers.  While ETPA focuses mostly on the built environment, we see this rural landscape as a key piece of East Tennessee and know that if the intermodal railyard is built, then inappropriate development will follow. ETPA strongly urges Norfolk Southern and local officials in Jefferson County to work with local citizen groups to find a suitable alternative site that would use an existing industrial site for the intermodal railyard that would preserve the rural farmland in New Market and limit the negative environmental impact on a prime agricultural land.

Downtown Lenoir City is indicative of small towns across East Tennessee and the country.  At one time, the thriving commercial district was the hub of the community, but with changing traffic patterns and the introduction of the interstate, the downtown has struggled.  ETPA will work with local leaders in Lenoir City and local businesses to help revitalize the central business district by using Main Street principles and models that have worked in similar communities.

The Boyhood Home of Estes Kefauver is one of the most significant houses in Monroe County and needs attention immediately.  Owned by Estes’ niece, the house suffered a damaging fire in 2008 and needs significant work.  Local leaders are willing to work with the property owner and ETPA to find a solution.

ETPA encourages the property owners to restore, sell, or donate the house to ensure the architectural and historically significant house remains standing and can find a new use.

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is a vivid reminder of the industrial and penal histories in America.  The landscape is both rural and industrial and is one of the most unique properties in Appalachia.  The most significant buildings were built in the 1930s in the Gothic Revival style.  Building aside, the history of the inmates and the evolution of prisons is a compelling story.  Brushy Mountain shuttered its doors in the summer of 2009 and the state has no long term plans for the massive facility.  ETPA encourages the state to continue working with Morgan County leaders to find a viable use for the massive facility that would preserve the building and its history.

Emory Gap Cemetery sits just off Exit 357 on interstate 40 sits several fast food restaurants, gas stations and car repair shops.  Tucked in all the new development is a historic cemetery atop the hill that overlooks the encroaching businesses.  The cemetery has been neglected over the years and is overgrown and most of the grave stones have been damaged.  Sadly, many cemeteries across the region suffer similar fates and need attention. ETPA encourages awareness of the cemetery and limited development that is encroaching on the cemetery and have created a Cemetery Task Force to help address cemetery preservation issues across the state.

New Salem Baptist Church was built in 1886 by Isaac Dockery, noted African-American builder, and is Sevierville’s oldest surviving building, Sevier County’s oldest brick church building, and the only historic African-American church in the county.  The Dockery Family Association has been working with the East Tennessee Community Design Center, the African-American Heritage Alliance and ETPA to find a long term preservation solution for the building that would preserve the legacy of the building and the contributions of the congregation.  The building needs to be stabilized and a long term maintenance plan needs to be put in place.

The circa 1880 home of The Honorable J. Will Taylor is one of the most historically significant houses in Union County and is completely abandoned.   The late Mr. Taylor was a U.S. Congressman and native of Union County. ETPA encourages the property owner to come forward to work with Preservation Union County and ETPA to find a preservation solution for the house.  Both groups will work with the owner to also find a suitable buyer for the house.

The East Tennessee Preservation Alliance works to protect places and structures with historic or cultural significance in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union counties.  It is governed by a board of directors with representatives from across the region. ETPA carries out its mission through a variety of programs and encourages community support through education and advocacy.  Preservation field services in this region are provided by Knox Heritage and are assisted by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  For more information, please visit www.knoxheritage.org.

Beautiful mountains
surround Knoxville.
As an East Tennessee
native, I have grown
up hiking these
rugged peaks. My
personal favorite is
the Clinch Mountain
Ridge, which can be
reached by traveling
northeast along Lee Hwy (Highway 11W)
to the Grainger County line. This 15-mile
drive from the Knoxville city limits allows
different vantage points of the Great Smoky
Mountains, House Mountain and, of
course, the Clinch Mountain Ridge range.

The Clinch Mountain range starts in
Blaine, and stretches to Burke’s Garden,
Virginia. The Clinch River basin to the
north is separated from the Holston River
basin to the south by this long, irregular
range. The average elevation along the
ridge is 2,000 feet and offers great views of
the valley, rivers and lakes.

Climbing the Clinch Mountain Ridge is
different from hiking in a national or state
park. There are no groomed trails and the
need for bushwhacking is commonplace.
Getting to the top is no easy feat, and the
climb means crossing large rock outcrops
as well as briars and huckleberry groves.

Once on top, usually you can discover a
game trail that follows the ridgeline. Large
rhododendron thickets on top face north
and provide shade in the summer heat.
You rarely see other humans so the
experience is between you and nature.
Bird watching is great at this level as
hawks, grouse, turkey and songbirds are
everywhere.

Signal Point, the southern terminus of
the 150 mile Clinch Mountain Ridge, lies
at the intersection of Knox, Union and
Grainger counties. This high peak was
used to signal troops during the Civil War.
The mountains also played an important
role in the Battle of Bean’s Station.

Apart from battles, the mountains had
prominence in the late 1800s when the
mineral springs in the area drew notable
visitors from around the globe. Tate
Springs, as the town and resort were
named, included an enormous hotel, golf
course and mineral baths. The seasonal
resort even had its own spur on the
railroad, so visitors could easily make the
trip from all over the country. Notable
guests included the Fords, Studebakers,
Mellons, Firestones and Rockefellers.
Because of a devastating fire and the Great
Depression, only a few buildings survive
today. The gazebo bandstand is an elegant
reminder of the heydays of Tate Springs.

When I was a child, my parents, uncles,
aunts and grandparents and I would make
a pilgrimage to Signal Point at least twice a
year. I started climbing with them when I
was five years old and hope to be climbing
when I am 85 years old. I am in the
process of passing on these simple joys to
my sons. This includes swinging on the
vines growing in tall trees, rolling large
boulders down ravines and “riding a
hickory sapling.” This last feat is
accomplished by running down grade and
jumping as high as possible to hold on to
the sapling. The sapling dampens your
landing during this simulated freefall
(imagine pole vaulting in reverse).

My favorite time of the year to climb is
December through March. Rattlesnakes
and Copperheads are in their dens, so this
is not a concern. The air is crisp and clear
and keeps the body temperature at a more
comfortable level. The best gear includes
a light windbreaker and hat that can be
carried, as a light shirt and jeans are all
that is needed. Once on top, the wind is
always blowing and at that point, hikers
need extra layers. This time of year also
provides an abundance of springs along
the face of the mountain. This water is
filtered by rock and always tastes sweet, so
it is easy to understand why Tate Springs
developed.

My favorite overlooks include Donehew
Head, High Lonesome and Wildcat Spur.
These places offer breathtaking views and
a different prospective of our neighbors in
the valley. My hopes are that after reading
this, you will get off that couch and join
the rank of “Highlander.” The mountains
are calling. EK

Mike Newman (Mike@MikeNewHome.
com) is a broker with Home & Garden
Real Estate, a native of Grainger
County, and serves on the Board of the
East Tennessee Preservation Alliance
(ETPA). ETPA is a new regional historic
preservation membership-based
organization that serves Anderson,
Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke,
Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox,
Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane,
Sevier, Scott and Union counties.
Preservation field services in this
region are provided by Knox Heritage
and are assisted by a Partners in the
Field challenge grant from the National
Trust for Historic Preservation. For
more information, please visit www.
knoxheritage.org.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Commemorative Commission announces
lineup of events for the 2010 Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Celebration

New special programs combine with
traditional events to make a very
special celebration

The MLK Celebration programs are designed to
increase awareness of Dr. King’s work and to bring all races in
our community into closer harmony. For 2010, all celebration
events relate to the theme of “Realizing His Dream Through
Service: It Is Up To Us” and there are several new programs that
underline that theme.

School-age young people are invited to participate in the
all-new Youth Symposium to be held at the Children’s Defense
Fund Haley Farm January 16th. The morning sessions will focus
on strengthening our community by helping our youth to be
leaders for equity in the future. The half-day teacher in-service
credit program provides special professional development
sessions for local school teachers aimed at promoting the
principles and goals of the Knox County School Strategic Plan.

The traditional “Night with the Arts” on January 17th will
feature original productions written exclusively for the
MLK commemorative events. Beginning at 6:00 pm, this
very special production will be at the Colston Performing
Arts Center on the campus of Knoxville College and is open
to the public without charge.

Also new this year will be a month-long exhibit of MLK-
related works of art on display at the Bijou Theatre Gallery. The
gala opening of this meaningful exhibit will be from 5:00–7:00
pm on January 8th as part of the First Friday events.

The MLK website at www.mlkknoxville.org has been
expanded and revised so that all details of the 2010 celebration
can be conveniently accessed.

The kick-off event for the MLK Celebration will be the
Interfaith Prayer Service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church on
Wednesday, January 13th at noon. Religious leaders from many
different faiths will join in this very special worship service.

The Leadership Symposium is scheduled for the morning of
January 14 followed by the annual Leadership/Awards Luncheon at
noon. The special guest speaker at this year’s luncheon is Dr. John
Maguire, President Emeritus of Claremont Graduate University
and life director of the King Center. (Ticket information for the
luncheon can be found at www.mlkKnoxville.org.)

Our community really comes together on the MLK holiday,
January 18. The annual MLK Parade is one of the most exciting
events of the celebration with hundreds of participants and, this
year, former Mayor and former Ambassador to Poland Victor
Ash will be the Grand Marshal.

The parade will end at the Greater Warner Tabernacle AME
Zion Church for the annual Memorial Tribute Service with Rev.
Raphael Gamaliel Warnock as the keynote speaker. Dr. Warnock
is currently the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in
Atlanta, spiritual home of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Other related events include a community discussion by the
Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance on January 15th at
7:00 pm and the YWCA Race Against Racism during the
afternoon of January 16th.

The closing tribute to Dr. King and his work will be the
Holiday Celebration Concert on January 18th at 6:00 pm in the
Knoxville Civic Auditorium featuring the Knoxville Symphony
Orchestra, the MLK Holiday Celebration Choir, and a variety of
special guest performers.

With the exception of the luncheon on January 14, all MLK
Celebration events are open to the public without charge.

“The MLK season is an opportune time for all to reflect upon
the ideals of the Dream and the Dreamer,” stated MLK Chair
Renee Kesler. “Together, may we all seek to realize his dream
through service as it is up to us.” EK

For additional information, visit www.mlkknoxville.org or
contact Michael Combs at mcombs@utk.edu.

Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941

Remembrance of a “date which will live in infamy”

The Pearl Harbor attack entered the consciousness of
contemporary Americans more forcefully than any
other single contemporary event. Regarded as a
dastardly “surprise attack” and an act of “infamy”
during the Second World War, every effort was made
to keep its memory bright. Posters, popular songs and other media
were staples of wartime popular culture, regular memorial services
were held to commemorate the dead, and flags that had flown at the
Capitol and White House on 7 December 1941 were raised over fallen
enemy capital cities.

Even after the conflict ended, the Pearl Harbor “surprise” helped
shape a generation of National defense policy and was not forgotten
by those who had lived through the war. Monuments, large and small,
were erected on the battle sites. Around the country, veterans’ reunion
groups met regularly to keep the memory alive. Even now, nearly
seven decades later, Pearl Harbor remains the subject of a regular flow
of documentaries, dramatic productions, books and articles. EK

Boyds Creek:

When you think
about historic
preservation in
East Tennessee,
Sevier County
may not top your
list of success stories. The county is a
gateway community to the most visited
National Park in the country, which has
resulted in sprawling development
centered on tourists. Hiding away safely, at
least for now, on Boyds Creek Highway
(also known as the Old Knoxville
Highway and the Old Sevierville
Highway) is an impressive collection of
antebellum houses dating to the early days
of settlement in East Tennessee. The
historic road was the main trade route
from Knoxville to Virginia and the site of
John Sevier’s battle with the Cherokee
Indians in December 1780.

For historical and geographical
reference, this area of Sevier County is a
continuation of Knox County’s French
Broad River Corridor where early houses
also dot the rural landscape. Historic
houses like the circa 1815 William
Campbell House, circa 1796 McNutt-
Campbell-Kennedy House, and the circa
1795 Thomas Frazier House, combined
with the houses along Boyds Creek
Highway, make this area one of the best
collections of Federal style houses in the
southeast.

Two houses, in particular, along Boyds
Creek Highway are ripe for preservation.
One, Wheatlands, was built in 1825 and
aptly named for its historically large wheat
crops. Timothy Chandler settled the farm
and later passed the land and holdings to
his son, John Chandler. At one time, the
house sat on 3,700 acres making it one of
the largest farms in the county. After the
wood farm home burned in 1824, John
built the house that exists today.

The federal style brick home has had
very few exterior modifications since its
construction. A few changes, such as the
Victorian era front porch and stained glass
windows, add charm and character to the
house and without degrading its character.
The present owner has done a meticulous
job of stabilizing, cleaning, and securing
the building while it has been on the
market. In addition to the house, several
outbuildings still remain on the property,
completing the pastoral picture. The
smokehouse is built with hand hewn logs
assembled with half dovetail notches,
which is very common in this region and
is especially evident in the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.

On a recent visit to Wheatlands,
archaeologist Charlie Faulkner discovered
a treasure trove of artifacts unassumingly
resting in a cardboard box in the dining
room. During the latest work on the
house, the excavation crews working to
enlarge the crawl space uncovered a slew
of pottery pieces, metal items, and some
small toys. Artifacts like these
help date the house and the
history of the surrounding lands.

Another important building
along Boyds Creek Highway is
the circa 1795 Buckingham
House that rests high above the
French Broad River. This house
could possibly be the oldest
surviving house in Sevier County.
The house overlooks the
farmland that is still used today
by the owner and his family. The
small brick house is laid with two
common brick bonds. The front
façade is more decorative and
features the glazed-head Flemish Bond,
while the other sides are English Bond.
The bricks are handmade, most likely
onsite with clay from the river banks.

Thomas Buckingham, Sevier County’s
first sheriff and Revolutionary War
veteran, built the house which is still in
remarkable shape. Again, most of the
exterior has not been touched; however,
the interior has been covered with carpet
and paneling and new walls have been
added. The attic, however, remains
untouched. The rafters are tied together
with hand carved pegs at the ridge and the
collar ties and rafters are attached with an
unusual mortise and tenon scarf joint that
has held up well and still remains as a
tight joint.

Like many historic properties in the
country, the Buckingham House is owned
by a group of family members in an estate
whose opinions vary about the future of
the house as is common in similar
circumstances across the country. Some
see the historic and nostalgic significance
of the house and farmland while others
see the financial benefit from selling the
house and land. As preservationists, our
job is to present options to property
owners that benefit their interests and
respect the historic character of the home
and land. In the end, the solution
must be a win-win for everyone.

On November 5, at the Wears
Valley United Methodist Church,
the East Tennessee Preservation
Alliance is hosting Preservation
Toolbox No. 3: Conservation
Easements. Bill Clabough,
Executive Director of the
Foothills Land Conservancy, will
come speak about using
conservation easements to
protect land and historic houses
for future generations. Just
imagine the power of
conservation easements in places like
Sevier County. EK

Ethiel Garlington is Director of
Preservation Field Services for Knox
Heritage and the East Tennessee
Preservation Alliance. Preservation
field services provided by Knox
Heritage are assisted by a Partners in
the Field challenge grant from the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For more information, please visit
www.knoxheritage.org.

In 1921, an unknown World War I
American soldier was buried in
Arlington National Cemetery. This
site, on a hillside overlooking the
Potomac River and the city of
Washington, D.C., became the
focal point of reverence for
America’s veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred
earlier in England and France,
where an unknown soldier was
buried in each nation’s highest
place of honor (in England,
Westminster Abbey; in France, the
Arc de Triomphe). These
memorial gestures all took place
on November 11, giving universal
recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I
fighting at 11 am, November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of
the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known
as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day officially received its name in America
in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a
national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional
action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that
World War I was “the War to end all wars,” November 11
might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years
after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in
Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took
part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in
service, more than 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day Changed to

Honor All Veterans

The first celebration using the term Veterans Day
occurred in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947. Raymond
Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized “National
Veterans Day,” which included a parade and other
festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on
November 11, then designated Armistice Day. Later, U.S.
Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill
that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In
1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower
signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens
Medal from President Reagan in November 1982.
Weeks’ local parade and ceremonies are now an annual
event celebrated nationwide.

On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified
American war dead were brought from overseas and
interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of
World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other
in the Korean War. In 1984, an unknown serviceman
from the Vietnam War was placed alongside the others.
The remains from Vietnam were exhumed May 14,
1998, identified as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph
Blassie, and removed for burial. To honor these men,
symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all
wars, an Army honor guard, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The
Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national
commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday
in October. It soon became apparent, however, that
November 11 was a date of historic significance to many
Americans. Therefore, in 1978, Congress returned the
observance to its traditional date.

National Ceremonies Held at

Arlington National Cemetery

The focal point for official national ceremonies for
Veterans Day continues to be the memorial
amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns.
At 11 am on November 11, a combined color guard
representing all military services executes “Present
Arms” at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is
symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The
bugler plays “taps.” The rest of the ceremony takes place
in the amphitheater.EK

Old Gray Cemetery is and always has been more than simply a place to lay the dead. Felix Dempster, executive secretary of the cemetery’s board, calls it a park, an art museum, a church, a garden, and a history book. Founded at the height of the rural cemetery movement in America, Old Gray was deliberately designed to function as well as a park as it did as a burying ground. According to Dempster, it was meant to be a place of serenity and beauty where families could come to enjoy each other and their own lives as well as honoring and remembering their dead. In the past that may have meant a family picnic, a leisurely carriage ride, or a day spent playing games in the cemetery’s open areas. Today, it often serves as a good place to eat lunch, read a book, or take a walk.
Old Gray is Knoxville’s oldest public cemetery.

Just wandering about and reading the various tombstones can present a good history lesson. Though it officially opened in June 1852, the first burial actually occurred on or about July 5, 1851 when William Martin, an Irish iron worker and a newcomer to town with no known family, had his right arm blown off in a cannon misfire during Knoxville’s Fourth of July festivities.

His death created a necessity for the city to press the new public cemetery into service earlier than expected. In the one hundred and fifty-eight years since, Old Gray has become best known as the resting place for some of the city’s most elite citizens, but in reality, the cemetery serves as the burial spot for an entire cross-section of the Knoxville community.

In addition to three governors, four senators, seven U.S. representatives, over thirty mayors, numerous local businessmen, many veterans from both sides of the Civil War, and several local artists and authors, Old Gray has been the burial place for Knoxvillians from all walks of life, including a wide variety of farmers and tradesmen, families of Irish laborers who built the railroad lines through East Tennessee, at least one circus performer, a few of the infamous and notorious, the rich, the poor, the middle-class, and a little bit of each and every type of person or occupation found in a city over the last three centuries.

Home to over thirty varieties of trees, many shrubs, and countless other plants, Old Gray’s paved paths provide walking trails with a peaceful view of nature that rivals other local parks or gardens. Its wrought iron gates and picturesque sexton’s cottage have long been recognized as subjects of local interest, and many of the tombstones, sculptures, mausoleums, and monuments on the thirteen acre grounds were designed by expert craftsmen, sometimes even true artists with the aesthetics needed for such a cemetery in mind. Though all the lots have long been sold, about five burials still occur in Old Gray each year. Several memorial and holiday services take place as well. The cemetery has served as an official stop on the Dogwood Arts Festival’s trails for many years. During this year, Old Gray also received its designation as an official stop on the Tennessee Historical Commission’s Civil War Heritage Trail and marker was placed on the grounds to help interpret its role and importance during the war.

The height of the cemetery’s calendar is its Lantern and Carriage Tour. Old Gray will celebrate its ninth annual tour on Sunday, September 27th. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this year’s tour is themed “Pioneers of the Park” and will feature re-enactors dressed in period costume as they tell the stories of Old Gray’s connections with founders and supporters of the park like Colonel David Chapman, the Kinzel family, the Townsends, and Laura Thornburgh. Musicians and World War II re-enactors will be present as well, and horse drawn carriage rides will be available. Tours will begin promptly at 4:00 rain or shine. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for students. The cemetery is located at 543 North Broadway. More information may be obtained by calling the cemetery at (865) 522-1424.

The Partners in the Field (PIF) grant, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) and the Robert Wilson Charitable Trust, challenges established preservation organizations, such as Knox Heritage, to expand their reach. Specifically, the initiative encourages organizations to either expand their technical reach or their geographic reach. Either way, the end goal is the same, “more boots on the ground” advocating for the places that matter. For Knox Heritage, the PIF program has allowed us to expand our services geographically beyond Knox County to the wider region of East Tennessee. By partnering with other like-minded organizations, East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) was formed.

ETPA currently represents Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier, and Union counties. These nine counties were part of the Nine Counties One Vision process that helped counties think regionally about a wide variety of issues, including historic preservation. The Nine Counties Preservation Alliance was born from this process and was active for several years. Without dedicated staff support, the Alliance went dormant for a couple years until the NTHP grant was awarded to Knox Heritage. With the help of the grant-funded personnel addition, the Alliance was re-formed in January 2009. New board members were elected in April and by June the group voted to change the name from Nine Counties Preservation Alliance to the more aptly titled East Tennessee Preservation Alliance. As the organization grows, the Alliance hopes to add members from additional counties. In the meantime, they assist all communities and individuals as resources allow.

One of the most important roles of ETPA is to help educate the region about the values of historic preservation. As you may imagine, this education comes in many shapes and sizes since historic preservation is a wide ranging discipline. For instance, in June the Alliance hosted their first Preservation Toolbox workshop in Dandridge. The Preservation Toolbox is an ongoing series of workshops and lectures about myriad preservation topics. In Dandridge, Maria Fisher, Director of Tourism for Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, shared information about the National Scenic Byways program. Specifically, Fisher shared her experience with the proposed Highway 25 East Scenic Byway that she and others have been working on for several years. On the surface, a Scenic Byway may not seem like an obvious topic for a historic preservation session. However, it doesn’t take too much imagination to see that the designation of the Highway 25 East would help heritage tourism in the region and continue to promote East Tennessee as a travel destination. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a vital part of the tourism package, but it’s important to maximize those visitors by drawing them to other parts of our beautiful state before they leave. Maria also reported Highway 321 just received a feasibility grant to pursue Scenic Byway status, which would be another tourism asset in our region.

In addition to the Preservation Toolbox series, ETPA is sponsoring the East Tennessee Regional Preservation Conference on September 18 & 19 in Townsend. Based at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, the conference will feature speakers from across the Southeast. Reminiscent of Townsend’s tagline, “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” the conference theme is “The Peaceful Side of Preservation.” After a brainstorming session with ETPA members, the conference committee developed a list of topics and matched experts in the field with the subjects. For instance, Myrick Howard, President of Preservation North Carolina and author of Buying Time for Heritage, will share his thirty years of experience with protecting endangered properties in North Carolina. Tennessee’s own Dr. Carroll Van West, Director of MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation, will come to share his knowledge on heritage and sustainable tourism, which are vital to the economy of Tennessee. Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer for the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC), will talk about THC grant opportunities and initiatives.

In addition to the dynamic speakers, the setting is an idyllic spot for a preservation conference. Recently awarded a Certificate of Merit from THC, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is one of East Tennessee’s newest heritage tourism jewels. Established to preserve, protect and promote the unique history and rich culture of the residents who inhabited the East Tennessee mountain communities that were incorporated into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its surrounding, the Center is home to log cabins, a cantilever barn, a moonshine still, galleries, a transportation exhibit, gift shop, 500 seat amphitheater, and hands-on exhibits. When you step into the Cardwell Family cabin, you can sit on the rope bed, smell the fire smoldering in the fireplace, and listen to stories about the family. You won’t find any velvet ropes or “do not touch” signs here. In fact, the Center prides itself on interacting with visitors, especially the younger ones. Be sure to ask Kathy, the Center’s Director of Education, about the greased pig contest they do for the school groups.

As ETPA continues to grow, keep reading this column for updates on projects, educational sessions, and stories from the region. East Tennessee is a beautiful, sacred place so it’s easy to understand why preservation of our past is so important to the success of our future.

For more information about ETPA and to register for the East Tennessee Regional Preservation Conference, please contact Ethiel Garlington at 865-523-8008 or egarlington@knoxheritage.org.