Gospel, arts and crafts, theaters, barbecue, museums, an old mill and an extra dose of storytelling are among the items planners can showcase on an East Tennessee itinerary that will have history buffs in the group tickled pink.
Throughout the region, historic landmarks, tours that highlight area heritage and attractions that mingle history with modern amenities to accommodate off-site events are all available for groups.
Following are many ideas, suggested by CVBs and other tourism representatives throughout the region, for planners interested in incorporating a bit of East Tennessee’s past into a present-day meeting agenda.
Chattanooga
Located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga is the Tivoli Theatre, a restored 1920s movie palace known as the “Jewel of the South” and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, groups can enjoy performances such as musicals, plays and various well-known acts like ZZ Top.
The theater doubles as a 1,762-seat off-site venue that’s ideal for lectures and general sessions, and the rehearsal room/dance studio accommodates banquets for up to 150 people.
And the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a historic downtown property, includes a restored railroad station, rose gardens, shops, a model railroad museum, 363 guest rooms, including 48 sleeper train cars, and function space to accommodate groups from 10 to 800 people.
Knoxville
From a frontier settlement to the state capital, Knoxville’s history is wonderfully told via Historic Homes of Knoxville, a local partnership between six storied homes offering guided tours throughout the year.
These six Knoxville landmarks, ranging from log cabins to stone mansions, will introduce attendees to the families who occupied them as well as experiences that shaped the city.
And the East Tennessee History Center, a museum with a premiere genealogy research library, interprets 200 years of the region’s history through its permanent exhibit, Voices of the Land: The Peoples of East Tennessee. PageBreak
Smoky Mountains Region
Gatlinburg
Founded in 1937, the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg is an eight-mile loop of working artisans that is easily toured by motorcoach, and another popular tour here is one that explores the historic Ogle Cabin.
The authentically furnished landmark celebrates Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, who moved her family of 12 into the cabin in 1807.
When guests enter the lobby at the Gatlinburg Inn, a longtime landmark in the heart of Gatlinburg, they feel as though they’re stepping back in time. Guests at the inn have included Liberace, Dinah Shore, Lady Bird Johnson and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Pigeon Forge
The Old Mill Square historic district is a working tribute to the Smokies’ pioneer days. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Mill furnished electricity for the town until 1935 and today is one of the most photographed mills in the country.
Products ground at the Old Mill show up in many dishes at the Old Mill Restaurant, including biscuits, corn bread, pancakes, hush puppies, muffins and grits.
The area’s heritage is also preserved through a variety of crafts that are practiced at Old Mill Square’s shops, including the decades-old Pigeon River Pottery and Old Mill Candy Kitchen, where confectioners prepare time-tested recipes.
Sevierville
Planners can book an inspired reception or banquet in the warbird hangar at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. Here, groups can mingle and dine under the wings of an authentic warbird aircraft that saw action in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
For an evening outing, Hillbilly Haunts historic ghost tours in downtown Sevierville showcases the architecture and authentic stories of murders, hangings, fires and more that have taken place since the city’s founding in 1795.
And at Tony Gore’s Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill groups will enjoy authentic barbecue and mountain cooking by Gospel singer Tony Gore. He uses his grandparent’s recipes for everything from fried green tomatoes to BBQ sauces, and books live gospel music regularly. PageBreak
Tri-Cities Region
Kingsport
Kingsport’s downtown, where groups will find the 1.8-mile Heritage Trail, is a good place to get acquainted with the city. Exchange Place is a living history farm where groups will get a glimpse of life in the early 1800s.
Johnson City
The Rocky Mount Living History Museum dates to the late-1770s and encompasses five different buildings, including the main house, dining house and museum, which has exhibit space that was recently renovated and engages visitors in five periods of history.
Popular events at Rocky Mount often include storytelling, bluegrass music and a meal function on the grounds, which overlooks the Holston Mountain range. There is also meeting space inside the museum.
The East Tennessee State University and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitors Center at the Gray Fossil Site is a unique attraction showcasing what was a thriving ecosystem at the end of the Miocene epoch, about 5 million years ago.
The attraction has several spaces available for meetings and other events, including the Education Annex Building with a rooftop terrace, and the main building, which has a multimedia classroom.
Bristol
The Bristol Motor Speedway, which opened in 1961 and is one of NASCAR’s premier facilities, is part of Bristol’s heritage. Here, groups could take a tour, have a reception or banquet, and team build with a scavenger hunt.
Bristol is also the Birthplace of Country Music and a museum of the same name is currently being built and expected to open in August 2014.
Groups might also take a historic tour of downtown and the Bristol Train Station, where they could also have a reception, banquet or conference.
Greeneville
Greeneville is the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the nation’s 17th president.
Groups can tour the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, which features a visitor center, museum and Johnson’s burial site.
There is also a Walk with the President Tour, which runs April through October and covers the ground Johnson himself strolled when he returned to Greeneville from the White House in 1869. Historic homes and churches are featured along the way.
Jonesborough
Groups will enjoy leisurely strolls down the brick sidewalks of Jonesborough, the oldest town in Tennessee. The historic district boasts shops filled with hand-crafted items as well as antiques and a variety of delectable goodies, including candies and cupcakes.
Jonesborough is also home to the International Storytelling Center, which is well-suited for receptions and banquets. It has several meeting spaces, including an outdoor patio and plaza area that can accommodate more than 250 people.
Freelance writer Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus South.
