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.

Previous Lectures

  • Lecture with Amy Greenberg
    January 29, 2020 - 1:30pm

    Union Ave Books and the East Tennessee Historical Society welcome 19th century scholar Amy Greenberg back to Knoxville for the paperback release of her book LADY FIRST: THE WORLD OF FIRST LADY SARAH POLKThis event will be held at the East Tennessee History Center (601 S. Gay Street) on Wednesday January, 29th at 6:30 pm. 

    ...

  • @ East Tennessee History Center
    November 7, 2019 - 7:00am to November 8, 2019 - 6:45am

    “For years I longed to know my father’s story and be close to him in some way. A Fortress and a Legacy has given my family a vibrant picture of my father-my hero-for generations to come.”

                                                Rosalind Perrin Davis
                                                Daughter of...

  • @ East Tennessee History Center
    October 24, 2019 - 2:00pm to October 25, 2019 - 1:45pm

    On the evening of Thursday, October 24th, we celebrate the publication of a new book that gathers the tales and legends of Cas Walker, one of 20th century Knoxville’s most famous citizens. Cas Walker was a grocer, politician, media celebrity, music promoter and coon hunter whose colorful life has become the stuff of the city’s favorite urban...

  • @ East Tennessee History Center
    October 22, 2019 - 7:00am to October 23, 2019 - 6:45am

    “I never felt connected with my foster parents. I don’t remember feeling a part of their family. I’m not sure why; I guess I just suspected something wasn’t right.”

    Born 1940 in Rotterdam, Clara van Thijn was separated from her parents on July 29, 1942, when they reported for the first Jewish transport headed for Auschwitz and...

  • @ East Tennessee History Center
    October 9, 2019 - 7:00am to October 10, 2019 - 6:45am

    In a Brown Bag Lecture on Wednesday, October 9, author and historian Dewaine A. Speaks will discuss his new book, Historic Disasters of East Tennessee, chronicling the stories of a series of disasters that have taken place in our region. The 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion, took the lives of 216 men and boys. The New Market train wreck...

  • The British are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777
    September 24, 2019 - 1:30pm
    The British are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775- 1777

    Join the East Tennessee Historical Society as we welcome back the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Rick Atkinson, for a special lecture and books singing of his new book The British are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777. Volume...

  • @ East Tennessee History Center
    September 18, 2019 - 7:00am to September 19, 2019 - 7:45am

    Join Jack Neely for a Brown Bag Lecture and book signing as he discusses his latest book, Historic Knoxville: The Curious Visitor's Guide to Its Stories and Places, a comprehensive and engaging guide to scores of sites and institutions relevant to the city's endlessly fascinating, but often little known, history. Jack will also...

  • @ East Tennessee History Center
    August 14, 2019 - 7:00am to August 15, 2019 - 7:45am

    Following a decade of study and collaboration, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park was established in 2010. Consisting of Hanford, Washington; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, MAPR preserves the history and tells the story of the birth of the atomic age in America. Ray Smith served on the committee to establish the...

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