Historic Homes of Knoxville Celebrate the 216th Anniversary of Tennessee Statehood Day

James White's Fort will be open on Saturday, June 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fort will be offering free tours from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The site will have quilters and blacksmiths giving demonstrations of their work, with items available for purchase.

KNOXVILLE -- As we remember the anniversary of Tennessee's admission as the 16th state in the year 1796, the historic homes of Knoxville will participate in the 216th anniversary celebration of Statehood Day.

On Friday, June 1, the homes will commemorate with living history demonstrations, free tours, quilt demonstrations, and Civil War museum tours.

"Knoxville's historic homes play an important role in our city," says Kim Bumpas, President of Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation. "The history and heritage of our city are prevalent in these sites and provide visitors and locals an opportunity to learn about the impact the homes and those who occupied them had on the formation of Knoxville and the entire region."

Marble Springs State Historic Site will commemorate with two days of living history demonstrations, including militia drills and demonstrations of 18th century life. This Saturday, May 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., walk amongst living history interpreters in 18th Century clothing portraying life on the frontier, including open-hearth cooking demonstrations. Militia drills and a reading of the Declaration will take place. The celebration will continue on Sunday, May 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with living history encampments and various interpreters. All events will be free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated. For more information, call (865) 573 – 5508.

Crescent Bend House and Gardens will be open to the public on Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Visitors who arrive between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. will receive free admission. For more information, call (865) 637 – 3163.

Blount Mansion will open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 2. The home will be giving free tours to commemorate Statehood Day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call (865) 525-2375..

James White's Fort will be open on Saturday, June 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fort will be offering free tours from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The site will have quilters and blacksmiths giving demonstrations of their work, with items available for purchase. For more information, call (865) 525-6514.

Mabry Hazen House will offer tours from 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on June 2, 2012 and will be celebrating Confederate Decoration Day. Heritage groups including the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy will gather at the Bethel Cemetery to honor over 1,600 Confederate soldiers who are interred at this historic site. Speakers will be present to offer perspectives relating to the Civil War and the role of the Confederate soldier. In addition, tours of the newly opened Bethel Cemetery Civil War Museum will be offered. Parking will be located at the Mabry-Hazen House and buses will shuttle visitors down the road to the cemetery. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (865) 522–8661.

Ramsey House Plantation will also be celebrating on June 2, 2012. The site will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., offering free tours to the public. For more information, call (865) 546-0745.

For more information on the Historic Homes of Knoxville, visit www.hhknoxville.org.

Published May 29, 2012