Bill Landry will be discussing his recent book, A Last Hurrah, along with his Tennessee book which was published just in time for the pandemic, When the West Was Tennessee. A Last Hurrah is a collection of writings, poems, short stories and behind the scenes experiences and tales from the WBIR-TV Heartland Series...
Lectures
Love history and want to learn more? Explore a variety of historical topics as authors, scholars, and local historians present the latest research and books, as well as new looks at old subjects. Lectures are open to the public and are free of charge unless otherwise stated.
Upcoming Lectures
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Brown Bag LectureOctober 25, 2023 - 12:00pm
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November 9, 2023 - 5:00pm
Between 1810 and 1854, Tennessee got steamboats, the telegraph and the railroad. Its population more than quadrupled; while its enslaved population went up about seven times. Tennessee sent two presidents to Washington; their actions and policies caused the nation to spread to the Pacific Ocean. In his new book, True Tales of Tennessee:...
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December 6, 2023 - 12:00pm
Join us for Jack H. McCall, Jr.'s reflection on his new book, Pogiebait's War, which explores the World War II experiences of his father, Jack “Pogiebait" McCall of Franklin, Tennessee, and what life was like for the average World War II Marine. Extensively researched, "Pogiebait's War " provides an eye-opening account...
Previous Lectures
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September 20, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
The Beaumont and Western Heights neighborhoods hold a special artistic heritage, communicated through their histories of Knoxville’s working classes, and as they echo the area’s continued connection to the liberal arts. The area played childhood muse and inspiration to such famous international figures as Frances Hodgson Burnett, David Madden...
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with Dr. Rachel Louise MartinSeptember 18, 2023 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
When most Americans think about the history of school desegregation in this country, they think of Little Rock, Arkansas and the nine students that attended Little Rock Central High School in 1957. However, there is a lesser known story, the one of Clinton, Tennessee. In September 1956, Clinton High School became the first school in the former...
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An Ambitious Hillbilly and a Southern Flapper Discover Knoxville, TNAugust 30, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
In the early 20th century, Knoxville attracted many young people from Appalachia. Two of them were Earl Layman, a Sevier County native who craved town life, and Marie Little, who had evolved from a tenant-farmer’s daughter into a New Woman of the 1920’s. Months before the 1929 stock market crash, the two met and began married life in Knoxville...
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August 2, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
In 2018, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSMNP) started The African American Experiences in the Smokies (AAES) project which focuses on the overlooked history of African Americans in the Smokies and Southern Appalachia. Antoine Fletcher will discuss the broad goals of the project, as well as the specific focuses currently. In the 1800s,...
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From a Small Coal Camp to Olympic Podium to Courtside with Michael JordanJuly 26, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Bill Schmidt discusses his new memoir Southview to Gettysvue, which begins with his childhood growing up in the small Appalachian Pennsylvania coal camp Southview. Though he suffered from family tragedy and personal struggles his interest in sports helped create a path forward. After graduating from college he made the 1972 US Olympic...
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May 31, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
The Night Marauder is the true crime account of a serial killer who preyed on women in and around Knoxville, TN, between 1919 and 1926. Learn more about the case from Dr. Locklin-Sofer who has been researching, with the help of her Maryville College students, the case which was never solved though several men were tried as suspects....
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May 17, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
It’s no secret that several big Hollywood productions were shot here in Knoxville and the surrounding region. Locals often turned up to shooting locations with their own cameras, capturing cast and crew at work in photos and home movies. Using exclusive McClung Collection and TAMIS materials, this program takes a look behind the scenes of films...
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May 10, 2023 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
While Knoxville has a rich tradition of success on the gridiron, its history of championship titles on the baseball field stretches back to the end of the American Civil War. Dr. Hardy will speak about the first “base ball” (two words in the 19th century) clubs to organize in Knoxville. He will highlight a number of the original baseballists...
