East Tennessee Historical Society

East Tennessee Historical Society ETHS strives to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of Tennessee, with a focus on East Tennessee. Visit us in Downtown Knoxville.
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Please see our website for more information about events and exhibits. Preserving, interpreting, and promoting the history and culture of East Tennessee's 35 counties. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN.

On this day in East Tennessee history, May 29, in 1970, anti-Vietnam War demonstrators carrying “Thou shalt not kill” si...
05/29/2026

On this day in East Tennessee history, May 29, in 1970, anti-Vietnam War demonstrators carrying “Thou shalt not kill” signs are arrested at the Billy Graham Crusade in Neyland Stadium. Richard and Pat Nixon were among those attending the crusade.

History doesn’t begin at the museum door.Before Lines Were Drawn: The Treaty of Holston and Its Legacy opens June 1, tak...
05/28/2026

History doesn’t begin at the museum door.

Before Lines Were Drawn: The Treaty of Holston and Its Legacy opens June 1, take a few minutes to read “Planting the Corn and Hunting the British: The Treaty of the Long Island of the Holston and the American Revolution,” a thoughtful exploration of Cherokee experiences during the Revolutionary era in East Tennessee.

It’s the perfect introduction to the people, events, and tensions that shaped the Treaty of Holston and its enduring impact on our region.

Read the blog post: https://www.easttnhistory.org/planting-the-corn-and-hunting-the-british/

Learn about the exhibition: https://www.easttnhistory.org/exhibitions/lines-were-drawn/

Ready to take your family history research to the next level? 🔍🌳Join the Advanced Genealogy Workshop at the East Tenness...
05/27/2026

Ready to take your family history research to the next level? 🔍🌳

Join the Advanced Genealogy Workshop at the East Tennessee History Center and explore deep-dive research topics including legislative petitions, the Southern Claims Commission, the Grand Army of the Republic, and more. Participants are encouraged to bring their lineage charts and research questions!

📍 East Tennessee History Center
📅 Saturday, June 6, 2025
⏰ 1:00–4:00 PM
👩‍🏫 Led by Ann Blomquist, editor of Tennessee Ancestors

Pre-registration is required. Whether you're breaking through brick walls or uncovering new family connections, this workshop is a valuable opportunity for experienced researchers.

Register today: https://www.knoxcountylibrary.org/event/workshop-advanced-genealogy-41104

This Memorial Day, we remember Sergeant Mitchell W. Stout — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember Sergeant Mitchell W. Stout — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in service during the Vietnam War.

On his second tour in Vietnam in 1970, Stout’s unit was part of the defenses at the Khe Gio Bridge near the Demilitarized Zone. Fog and rain on March 12, 1970, provided cover for an attack by a large group of North Vietnamese soldiers. Enemy mortar rounds forced the Americans to remain in their bunkers, while North Vietnamese infantry lobbed gr***des. One landed in Stout’s bunker. He picked it up, held it close to his body, and moved toward the door, shielding his comrades from the gr***de’s explosion

This Memorial Day, we honor Sergeant Mitchell W. Stout — and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

https://medalofhonor.easttnhistory.org/mitchell-w-stout/

This Memorial Day, we remember Staff Sergeant Ray E. Duke — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember Staff Sergeant Ray E. Duke — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in service during Korean War.

In 1951, Duke’s division was part of a push north from Seoul, the South Korean capital, across the 38th parallel into North Korea. By early April, the United Nations (UN) forces had moved well across the border, but on April 22, the UN troops were hit by a massive Chinese and North Korean attack. Duke’s Medal of Honor action came as his division was conducting a fighting withdrawal. He was captured during the retreat and died as a prisoner of war.

This Memorial Day, we honor Staff Sergeant Ray E. Duke — and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

https://medalofhonor.easttnhistory.org/ray-e-duke/

This Memorial Day, we remember Sergeant Elbert L. Kinser — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember Sergeant Elbert L. Kinser — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in service during World War II.

The Battle for Okinawa had been raging for more than a month when Kinser was wounded in action on May 4, 1945. As the stretcher bearing Sergeant Kinser was being evacuated, a Japanese hand gr***de landed next to it. Without hesitation, Kinser rolled off the stretcher and on top of the enemy gr***de, absorbing the blast with his body and saving the four corpsman who had been carrying him.

This Memorial Day, we honor Sergeant Elbert L. Kinser — and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

https://medalofhonor.easttnhistory.org/elbert-l-kinser/

This Memorial Day, we honor Sergeant Troy A. McGill — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in s...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor Sergeant Troy A. McGill — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in service during World War II.

On March 4, 1944, on Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, Sergeant McGill courageously held his squad's position during an intense, nighttime attack. Sergeant McGill and another soldier were the only ones not wounded from their eight-man squad. McGill ordered the unwounded soldier to retreat. McGill remained and fired his weapon until it no longer functioned, resorting to hand-to-hand combat thereafter. McGill held his position against 105 enemy soldiers, and his actions not only inspired his comrades but also served as a decisive factor in the enemy’s defeat.

This Memorial Day, we remember Sgt. Troy A. McGill —and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

https://medalofhonor.easttnhistory.org/troy-a-mcgill/

This Memorial Day, we remember First Sergeant Milo Lemert — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember First Sergeant Milo Lemert — an East Tennessee Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in service during World War I.

On September 29, 1918, after all his company’s officers were killed in action outside Bellicourt, Lemert reorganized the remaining men. He led a small team on a mission to destroy four German machine gun nests. Lemert successfully quieted three of the nests with gr***des before dying during the destruction of the fourth.

More than a century later, his legacy still reminds us what true bravery, duty, and selflessness look like.

This Memorial Day, we honor First Sergeant Milo Lemert — and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

https://medalofhonor.easttnhistory.org/milo-lemert/

The Museum of East Tennessee History will be closed Monday, May 25 in observation of Memorial Day. The Museum will res...
05/24/2026

The Museum of East Tennessee History will be closed Monday, May 25 in observation of Memorial Day. The Museum will resume normal operating hours Tuesday, May 26.

📅 Mark your calendars, East Tennessee!The East Tennessee History Fair returns on August 15, 2026, at the East Tennessee ...
05/23/2026

📅 Mark your calendars, East Tennessee!

The East Tennessee History Fair returns on August 15, 2026, at the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville! Celebrate the region’s rich heritage with living history demonstrations, live music, crafts, film screenings, children’s activities, and more.

This special event will celebrate the Semiquincentennial and promises a full day of family-friendly fun and history. Stay tuned for more details as they’re announced!

📍 East Tennessee History Center
🗓 August 15, 2026

Learn more: https://www.easttnhistory.org/event/east-tennessee-history-fair/

05/22/2026

Lines Were Drawn | ᏚᏂᏍᏓᏅᏅᏁᎯ (Du Ni Sda Nv Nv Ne Hi) : The Treaty of Holston and Its Legacy opens June 1.

Address

601 S Gay Street
Knoxville, TN
37902

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(865) 215-8824

Website

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