The Museums of Tusculum College will help bring history to life and share it with the public as one of the participants in the East Tennessee Historical Society’s Eighth Annual History Fair in downtown Knoxville on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Featured in the family-oriented event are a living history timeline telling the story of the region from early settlement through the mid-20th century, live music, historic crafts demonstrations, historical and genealogical groups from across the region such as the Museums of Tusculum, children’s crafts and activities and a birthday party for Davy Crockett. All the activities are free and open to the public.
The History Fair will offer an opportunity to visit and learn about historic sites in the Knoxville area through walking tours of the city’s downtown, Civil War site bus tours, bus tours of historic homes and tours of underground Gay Street.
In addition, there will be a “History Hound” dog costume contest, free museum admission, a Smoky Mountain film festival at the Tennessee Theatre, vintage baseball games at World’s Fair Park, art exhibits, miniature battles, traditional foods, book sales, farmers market, and much more.
Activities will be focused around the East Tennessee Historical Society and Krutch Park on Gay Street in Knoxville as well as other sites in the surrounding downtown area.
The History Fair is a presented by the East Tennessee Historical Society and sponsored by the Seven Islands Foundation, Knoxville Central Business Improvement District, Arts & Heritage Fund, Clayton Bank & Trust, City of Knoxville, WUOT, WDVX, WBIR, Tomato Head, Food City, PetSafe, Comcast, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Friends of the Knox County Public Library, and Knox County Public Library. For a detailed listing of events and times, visit www.easttnhistory.org/eastTNhistoryfair or call 865-215-8824.
The Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library are operated by the Department of Museum Program and Studies of Tusculum College. In addition to the museums, the department is responsible for the College Archives and offers one of the few undergraduate Museum Studies degree programs in the country. The two museums are also part of the National Historic District on the Tusculum College campus. Follow the museums on Facebook and Twitter to learn the latest news and upcoming events or visit its Web site at www.tusculum.edu/museums to learn more about the variety of programs offered at the museums.