History Hootenanny

History Hootenanny

A Celebration of the East Tennessee History Center
Where: 
East Tennessee History Center - Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
When: 
Saturday, August 20, 2022 - 5:00am to 11:00am

What is a hootenanny

Hootenanny (n.): 1. An informal gathering where folk music is played in a party-like atmosphere (1950-60s) 2. An Appalachian colloquialism used as a placeholder name to refer to things whose names were forgotten or unknown (1930s. See doohickey, thingamajig, whatchamacallit) 3. A variation of the Scottish Gaelic word for New Year’s celebrations (15th century Gaelic. See Hogmanay)  

Visit the East Tennessee History Center from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday, August 20, 2022, for the inaugural History Hootenanny! The event features the best of the East Tennessee History Center, including live music and fun activities in the Museum of East Tennessee History, genealogy workshops, a used local history book sale, book signings by local history authors, shuttles to the Historic House Museums of Knoxville, and much more! 

The History Hootenanny is a free, public history event organized in partnership by the East Tennessee Historical Society and Knox County Public Library. All events originate at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 South Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.

Special thanks are extended to the 2022 History Hootenanny community partners: Arcadia Publishing, Friends of the Knox County Public Library, Historic House Museums of Knoxville, Knoxville History Project, Knoxville Walking Tours, University of Tennessee Department of History

SCHEDULE

 

ALL-DAY EVENTS (10:00 am to 4:00 pm)


Free admission and family activities in the Museum of East Tennessee History
Location: Museum of East Tennessee History

At the core of History Hootenanny is the Museum of East Tennessee History, where the region’s past lives every day. Guests are invited to explore the Museum, taking in the pageantry of the 1982 World’s Fair in the feature exhibition, You Should’ve Been There!; trying your hand at family friendly activities in History Headquarters; and interacting with guest interpreters from Crescent Bend, Historic Westwood, and Marble Springs State Historic Site in the signature exhibition, Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee.

Local History Authors Showcase
Location: Auditorium (Streetscape entrance)
Organized and sponsored by Arcadia Publishing

For more than 20 years, Arcadia Publishing has reconnected people to their community through richly illustrated and intensely local historical publications. The Local History Authors Showcase offers the opportunity to meet several of Arcadia Publishing’s East Tennessee writers in an informal, relaxed setting. The following authors are scheduled to be present for book signings:

  • Joe GuyHidden History of East Tennessee; Hidden History of McMinn County; Hidden History of Southeast Tennessee; and McMinn County
  • Paul JamesIjams Nature Center
  • Paul James & Jack NeelyDowntown Knoxville 
  • Harry Moore & Fred BrownDisappearing Appalachia in Tennessee
  • Jessica PenotHaunted Chattanooga
  • L. Thomas RobertsJohnson City
  • Dewaine SpeaksEast Tennessee in World War II; Historic Disasters of East Tennessee; Murder & Mayhem in East Tennessee; and Weston Fulton in Tennessee

These and other titles from Arcadia Publishing will be available for purchase in the Museum Shop. Representatives from Arcadia Publishing will also be on site to answer questions about becoming one of their authors.

Used history book sale his
Location: Auditorium (Streetscape entrance)
Organized by and benefitting Friends of the Knox County Public Library

Join Friends of the Knox County Public Library for a used book sale filled with titles sure to pique the interest of everyone’s “inner-historian.” Sales benefit Friends of the Knox County Public Library, which is dedicated to fostering a love of libraries, books, and reading in the Knox County area. 

The History Express 
Location: Gay Street (in front of the East Tennessee History Center; the first History Express departs at 10:30 a.m.)
Organized in partnership with the Historic House Museums of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Department of History

Board the History Express to experience several of Knoxville’s Historic House Museums. Continuous shuttles depart from and return to Gay Street in front of the Krutch Park Extension, stopping for tours at Blount Mansion, James White’s Fort, and Mabry-Hazen House. A shuttle to Historic Ramsey House will also be available; it will depart from and return to Mabry-Hazen House.

TIMED EVENTS


Genealogy mini-conference
Location: Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection (third floor)

The History Hootenanny kicks off the East Tennessee History Center’s fall genealogy workshop series with a one-day mini-conference! These 1.5-hour workshops are free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is required for each session (limit 20 participants). To register, please call 865-215-8809. Registered participants will receive an email confirmation with additional information.

  • 9:30 am Beginning Genealogy with Ann Blomquist, editor, Tennessee Ancestors, East Tennessee Historical Society

    Are you interested in exploring your family history but not sure where to begin? This session provides participants an overview of how to conduct genealogical research, including helpful charts and forms, free internet research sites, genealogy software, and other beneficial tips. 
     

  • 11:30 am Introduction to the McClung Historical Collection with Eric Dawson, manager, Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library

    The Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection is the historical and genealogical branch of the Knox County Public Library. This walking tour introduces participants to the collection (its facilities, holdings, and equipment) and how it can be of use in advancing your genealogical research. 
     

  • 1:30 pm Researching the History of Houses with Vicky Bills, reference librarian, Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library

    If a house’s walls could talk, what would they tell you? This session introduces participants to techniques and resources for discovering the history of houses. Participants are encouraged to bring information that they have already collected about their own house to the session. 
     

  • 3:30 pm Introduction to Internet Genealogy with Eric Head, Knox County archivist, Knox County Archives, Knox County Public Library

    Internet research sites are key repositories of information for genealogists. What do these sites offer? How do they differ? Participants in this session will have the chance to explore seven major genealogical websites: Ancestry, Cyndi’s List, FamilySearch, FindMyPast, Fold3, Google, and MyHeritage. 

Are you interested in your family history but not quite ready to take a workshop? Visit the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection on the third floor of the East Tennessee History Center during the History Hootenanny. Friendly reference librarians will be available to orient you to resources that will assist you in your genealogical discoveries.

10:30 am Author panelPutting Local History to Paper
Location: Auditorium (Lobby entrance)
Organized and sponsored by Arcadia Publishing

Have you ever wondered what goes into researching, writing, editing, and publishing a local history book? Join Arcadia Publishing authors and editors for a lively discussion about the publishing process and learn best practices for transforming your research topic into a well-received book. Moderated by Dr. Warren Dockter, president/CEO, East Tennessee Historical Society.

10:30 am to 12:00 pm Live musicThe Shaw Hollow Boys
Location: Museum of East Tennessee History

What is a Hootenanny without music? Gather in the Museum for a memorable performance by The Shaw Hollow Boys. Made up of members from across the Appalachian Mountains, The Shaw Hollow Boys will delight with bluegrass tunes, old and new.

11:00 am Walking tourThe 1982 World’s Fair with Jack Neely
Location: Main Entrance (tour involves walking sustained distances in an urban setting and is subject to weather)
Organized in partnership with the Knoxville History Project

Take a stroll down Clinch Avenue to World’s Fair Park with Jack Neely, now executive director of the Knoxville History Project but once an employee of the Knoxville International Energy Exposition. Neely will give a tour of World's Fair Park, locating his memories from 1982 on the present site.

1:30 pm Walking tourThe Old City: From Bowery to Baseball with Laura Still
Location: Main Entrance (tour involves walking sustained distances in an urban setting and is subject to weather)
Organized in partnership with the Knoxville Walking Tours

Join local historian Laura Still for a leisurely walk to the Old City, where she will discuss not only its reputation as a saloon district but also how it developed as a neighborhood comprised of different races, faiths, and nationalities. Still will also chronicle the Old City’s revitalization as an entertainment district.

1:30 pm Screening–Recent Acquisitions, Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound
Location: Auditorium (Lobby entrance)

Grab a spot and watch as the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound (TAMIS), the historic audio-visual department of Knox County Public Library, debuts segments from recent additions to the collection.

1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Live musicWild Blue Yonder
Location: Museum of East Tennessee History

The Hootenanny rolls on with Appalachian Celtic tunes from Wild Blue Wonder, an energetic East Tennessee trio that offers something for every “lad” and “lassie”– lively reels, haunting ballads, and sprightly original tunes. With fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, and vocals, Wild Blue Yonder brings fresh voice to ancient melodies and celebrates the deepest roots of Appalachian music.
 

History Hootenanny
Presenting Sponsor: 
Knox County Public Library
Partnerships: 
Arcadia Publishing
Friends of the Knox County Public Library
Historic House Museums of Knoxville
Knoxville History Project
Knoxville Walking Tours
University of Tennessee Department of History