Celebrating National Preservation Month, May 2010
To help celebrate National Preservation Month in May, ETPA is encouraging everyone to take photos of the places that matter to them in East Tennessee. We are collecting the photos for the slideshow, "East Tennessee's Places That Matter" that will be posted online and on our Facebook page. Please take a few minutes to download the official sign here, print it out, and take it around to all the historic places that matter to you. Then send your photos to egarlington(at)knoxheritage.org.
Also, ETPA has partnered with organizations across the region to promote days when you can "perspire for preservation."
Saturday May 8, Alexander Inn in Oak Ridge in partnership with the Oak Ridge Revitalization Effort
Thursday May 20, Oak Grove School (see post from October 21, 2009 below) in Sharps Chapel in partnership with Preservation Union County
Saturday May 22, Martin Mansion in Blount County in partnership with the Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society and the Blount County Historic Trust
Wednesday May 26, Rural Mount (see post below) in Hamblen County in partnership with the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and the Tennessee Preservation Trust
Please call or email Ethiel to get directions and for more specific information.
Rural Mount, February 4, 2010
Back in January, Dan Brown, Executive Director of Tennessee Preservation Trust, contacted me about a stone house in Hamblen County, known as Rural Mount. In 2004, the Tennessee Preservation Trust listed Rural Mount on the annual "Ten in Tennessee" endangered list and over the years Dan had kept in touch with the property owners hoping to find a solution for the spectacular house.
Randomly, Dan got an email from a preservationist in the UK who showed interest in the house. Quickly there was some excitement about a possible exchange program with students from the UK and Tennessee who could learn about hands on preservation techniques. Perhaps, Rural Mount could be used a field school to show off the stone construction of early houses in East Tennessee.
A site visit was certainly in order. Justin Sanders, Partner in the Field for the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, and I joined Dan at Rural Mount to tour the house and grounds with the property owner. It was quickly apparent at the magnitude of the house. This is one of the first abandoned houses I've seen with original evidence of decorative painting on the wainscoting. Of course, the original wood details were also fine examples. The mantels are missing in the photographs, but are stored safely offsite. Over the years, the house has been vandalized and a small fire was even started in one of the bedrooms on the second floor.
This excerpt is from the February 1983 HABS Report:
Rural Mount was reputedly built in 1799 by Alexander Outlaw for his son-in-law Joseph Hamilton. Both of these men were instrumental in founding the States of Franklin and later of Tennessee. Rural Mount commands an impressive hilltop position overlooking the valleys of the Nolichucky River and its tributaries. Its random ashlar limestone construction is similar to several houses of the period in this vicinity. The interior stair brackets and mantelpieces resemble designs illustrated in late eighteenth century builder's handbooks.
In May we are hoping to organize a volunteer work day at Rural Mount to help secure the building.
Oliver Springs' Abston Garage, November 17, 2009
Today marks my first anniversary on the job as Director of Preservation Field Services for Knox Heritage. It was only fitting that I spent the morning on a construction site in Oliver Springs. Almost two years ago, the Oliver Springs Historical Society (OSHS) acquired the historic Abston Garage. Over the years, the building had served as a car dealership, movie theater, auto mechanic, and soon a community center. The building is presently being restored by volunteer labor and with funds raised by the OSHS. So far they've cleaned building, repaired the roof structure, replaced the roof, built new interior walls, and repointed some exterior masonry. Every week the crew of volunteers works on another section of the building.
Today, they were working in the original office for the car dealership. The bead board ceiling was barely hanging on and the guys were propping up in preparation to take it down. This particular ceiling will be completely rebuilt, but the tongue and groove boards will be re-used on the job. Once completed, this room will be the new home of the Oliver Springs Archives.
With the help of the East Tennessee Community Design Center, OSHS has plans to include a small theater, commercial kitchen, meeting room, and a "Main Street" exhibit. Looking ahead, they have done a nice job of creating storage areas in the expansive trusses.
In the front display window, volunteers changed out the fall decorations to make room for the Christmas tree. Like the Oak Grove School in union County and countless other projects in the region, preservation succeeds with volunteers. Without the generosity, time, and talents of volunteers, many preservation opportunities would lay dormant.
ETPA is making plans for a Preservation Toolbox in March 2010 at the Abston Garage to show off the project and the creative fundraising that has helped make it happen.
Oak Grove School Cleanup, October 21, 2009
Today I had the pleasure of lending a hand in Sharps Chapel with the Oak Grove School Cleanup Day. This is the second Wednesday (they worked in the cold rain last week) in a row where volunteers from the community came out to clean out debris, clear brush, and help return the building to its former glory as a modest two room schoolhouse.
Plenty of other groups have done volunteer work days like this in the past and have seen the positive impact. Perhaps ETPA could have regular work days around the region to help promote preservation and to show support between counties. Just think how much we could accomplish with volunteers from across the region.
If you have a work day scheduled or have an idea for one in the future, let me know and we can work together to organize and promote it. For more information about the Oak Grove Cleanup Days and to volunteer for future work days, please contact Bonnie Peters or Robert Ellison.
Canitlever Barn in Walland, August 21, 2009
As Mike Gavin, Preservation Specialist with the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU, and I rounded the gravel driveway in Walland we spotted Plase's cantilever barn. The barn looked like it had fallen from the sky and landed next to Plase's driveway and sits about 100 yards from his ca. 1990 house.
Plase had been in communication with Mike about the barn for a month or so and Mike finally ahd the opportunity to get over to Walland to see the barn. As a log building expert, Mike was thrilled to poke around the ca. 1790s barn that had been moved from another spot on the property about 50 years ago. It was quickly evident that the move hadn't been meticulous and with an engineering feat like a log cantilever barn, attention to detail is critical to the longevity of the structure.
Hoping to find one or two "hot spots" of deterioration, we found multiple issues that ranged from water damage to powder post beetle infestation. The good news? The barn is owned by Plase, who is passionate about preserving it. He's owned it for about 5 years and has been a stalwart preservationist by securing the roof, replacing (with like materials) timbers, jacking up the sagging cantilevers, and much more.
While we poke around, his kids are scampering up ladders and showing off parts of their clubhouse (the barn). Let's hope the kids grow up with strong memories of the barn and go on to be preservationists in East Tennessee.
Armed with helpful tips from Mike, Plase will charge on with his one man crusade to save one of East Tennessee's most unique architectural gems, the cantilever barn.
Read about MTSU's Center for Historic Preservation
Report from Blount County, August 7, 2009
On Thursday, I spent the afternoon checking out a few of Blount County’s historic gems with ETPA Board member and avid historian, Ken Cornett. The tour began with a walk through of the Blount County Historical Museum, one of the “newest kids on the block” as Ken calls them. When you step through the doors of the old health department, one of the first artifacts is Maryville’s, completely restored, second fire engine. This marvel sets the tone for the museum, which admittedly is still settling into its new home. With more items in the collection than shelves, and even more tucked away neatly in the back rooms, it's abundantly clear that Blount County has a rich heritage with a team of willful volunteers making sure future generations will have access to items that cover the entire history of the county.
Ken reminds me of my other tour guides around the region. He is proud, knowledgeable, and brimming with enthusiasm as he tells stories about some of the more notable items. Beyond the incredible photographs covering the walls, the hand wrought tools are some of my personal favorites. Though, when you get Ken talking about the dairy farms of Blount County and his ongoing hunt for their embossed bottles, it’s hard not find yourself considering a new hobby. Perhaps the bottles I uncovered as a child in the woods of my parents house could round out Ken’s collection. Perhaps I should start my own collection. Indeed, if I wanted to start a bottle collection, I would start by reading Ken’s book, Udderly Blount County, that covers the history of the dairy farms of the county.
Our next stop was a short stroll across the parking lot to the Thompson-Brown House, which was the catalyst for the preservation movement in Blount County. Threatened with demolition to make room for the new health department, citizens mounted a convincing campaign to save the house. Probably built in the early 1800s, the house is a fine specimen of log construction in the southeast. The symmetrical two over two construction with a center hall is indicative of the dogtrot style that evolved into the modern Federal Style of the 1820s and 40s.
The house is not the end of the visit. Inside the rooms, the Cades Cove Preservation Association (CCPA) mounted an exhibit to showcase the family artifacts from the early settlers of Cades Cove. Situated on the common tourist route from Knoxville to Cades Cove, the house is a chance to give visitors a preview of the Cove. The collection ranges from spinning wheels to a dvd about CCPA members, most of whom are direct descendants of Cove residents. The Association is very active and has a strong working partnership with the National Park Service. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the CCPA more cemeteries are maintained and trails cleared.
After the house and the museum, Ken and I travelled about 8 miles through the County to the aptly named, Martin Mansion that sits off Martin Mill Pike in the Wildwood community. You’ll see from the pictures, the house may not meet your criteria for a “mansion”, but you need to consider that most houses built in the area at that time (late 1700s) were one or two room log built houses. The house was probably built around the same time as Knoxville's Blount Mansion. The Martin Mansion is an unusually large two story asymmetrical house with a center hall and two rooms on the first and second floor. Like most houses, it has evolved over time with additions, modifications, and updated amenities.
Ken started the tour in the dilapidated ell section of the house, which appears to be a kitchen added in the early 1800s. The roof metal has blown off in some parts allowing the elements to make their way into the building. Water is the nemesis of buildings, especially abandoned historic ones. After gingerly making our way through the kitchen and dining room, we found ourselves in one of the most stunning rooms I’ve seen since my return to East Tennessee. The main portion of the house is constructed entirely of heart of pine lumber milled by Warner Martin's sawmill, which helps explain the sawn lumber versus hewn logs.
None of the beautiful wood has ever been painted. Rarely, does wood escape some sort of dressing, whether it's a lime wash or decorative paint, most woods were covered, not so in the Martin Mansion. Upstairs, some of the walls are have wallpaper, but otherwise the wood walls, doors, floors, ceilings, are all unpainted heart of pine lumber.
Ken and others have done extensive research on Warner Martin and his impact on Blount County. One of the most intriguing stories connects Martin and George Washington as neighbors in Virginia. Additionally, Martin and John Sevier were friends since they were "neighbors" on the frontier. Check out this article in The Daily Times that gives more background to Martin and the house. The article also highlights the volunteer maintenance crews that have helped keep the house secure over the years. It looks like another work day is in the works this fall to remove some vegetation and button up the roof.
ETPA is in the early stage of creating an annual endangered properties list for the region. I think we have our first nomination.
Iconic Manhattan Project-era Hotel Threatened, July 29, 2009
Over the past several years, the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association (ORHPA), has been working with the owner of the Alexander Inn to help save the National Register list property. Many buildings from the heydays of "The Secret City" have been lost to demolition and neglect. Unfortunately, the Alexander Inn, originally named the Guest House, is a clear victim of "demolition by neglect."
There may be good news for the Alexander Inn in the near future. In Tuesday's Knoxville News Sentinel there was an article disclosing the laundry list of code violations as seen from an exterior tour of the Inn. The article explained the code violations process and the potential implications for the property owner, Merrill Boatman. In the same day, The Oak Ridger also included an article about the code violations.
All told, the action could be the best or worst news for the fate of the Alexander Inn. On one hand, the city's action could entice Boatman to sell the building to a developer who could rehabilitate the property to make it an asset (once again) for the community of Oak Ridge. On the other hand, any time code violations are listed in one place for a historic property, things can look pretty dismal. After touring the Inn I can assure you there are plenty of issues with the building, BUT there are always "issues" with historic buildings. It's important to reflect on other preservation projects in the area before calling the demolition crew. Surely everyone can recall houses (even entire neighborhoods) in Knoxville that looked hopeless. Not to mention, several large commercial buildings in downtown Knoxville that many residents had written off years ago, but are now vibrant hubs of activity (and property taxes).
The Alexander Inn will one day re-open its doors to the community and once again serve as a jewel for the region. In the meantime, tell your friends there may be a historic hotel for sale in Oak Ridge any day now. And if you've ever wondered what Oak Ridge would be like as the backdrop to a murder mystery, pick up a copy of Jefferson Bass' latest installment in their Body Farm series, Bones of Betrayal. The story begins with a body floating in the Alexander Inn’s swimming pool. Let’s make sure the Inn doesn’t meet the same fate.
Check out this YouTube video (from OakRidgeVideo) to see the Alexander Inn as it looks today and as it once looked when it opened.
Union County: Stores, Log Houses, Schools, and a Ferry, July 23, 2009
Every time I noodle around the back roads of Union County, the fog begins to lift. As a child, I spent plenty of time in Maynardville at my grandparents house, so I thought I "knew"Union County. I'm not too proud to admit when I'm wrong, so I'll be the first to confess that Maynardville may be the County Seat for Union County, but it's just the beginning.
On Wednesday, I spent the better part of the day tooling around the winding roads with ETPA Union County Board Representatives, Robert Ellison, Betty Bullen, and County Historian, Bonnie Peters. Our morning started with a tour of the Old Hamilton Store at the Hamilton Crossroads. David Lay met us there to show us around the store and to talk about some options for restoring the building and using it for a non-profit organization. The building is incredible. Check the Picasa slideshow to see some shots. Yes, the entire store is full of the original shelves, counters, and even some merchandise.
Our next stop was Betty and Stan Bullen's log house, the ca. 1829 Hamilton-Tolliver Log House. Betty grew up across the street from the house so she has a special affection for the unique saddlebag house and the other buildings on the site. All told, the homestead site is an incredible example of a rural center of activity. There was a store on the grounds, a spring, and a moonshine still (shhh). Betty and Stan have done a great job preserving the buildings. When they acquired the house in the 1980s it had never been plumbed, so they kept it that way. In fact, everything they've done to the property is to protect it from the elements and secure the foundation, but they have not made any visible changes. Though, I can guarantee they've spent plenty of time and sweat keeping the house as pristine as most house museums. This fall they'll present their National Register nomination to the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Now, it's Robert's turn to shuttle us around in his truck through the back roads (seriously, I saw a street named "BACK Rd"). We ventured through Leadmine Bend and wound around to Sharps Chapel. Robert is especially concerned about the fate of several abandoned Union County schoolhouses. We saw the Rush Strong, Irwin, and Oak Grove Schools and decided Oak Grove was the most obvious candidate for assistance. Not that the others don't need help, but Oak Grove is owned by the County and there's an obvious use for the building.
In between the schools, Robert took us to the Firetower in the Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area, the Will Rodgers CCC Camp (or what's left of it), and we took a ride on one of the last ferries in Tennessee. Helms Ferry connects Union County across Norris Lake. The primitive (see video) ferry shaves off an hour of drive time for residents, but one day may be replaced with a bridge. It may not seem like a tourism product, but the ferry is used regularly by motorcyclists as they tour around the lake. In fact Johnny Ray (our ferry boat captain) bragged about squeezing 43 bikes (and bikers) on the ferry at one time.
The day ended with a stop at the Union County Chamber of Commerce where we met Julie Graham who has been working tirelessly to promote Union County and the Norris Lake region as a destination for tourists and businesses. And it's paying off...check out her website here and she's also secured some grants to promote the arts of Union County.
It's days like this (did I mention the soup beans and cornbread?) when I'm reminded of a few things:
1) I love my job and I am grateful for the opportunity to help preserve the places that matter to me.
2) Our region is ripe with INCREDIBLE resources. I can't say I've traveled the world searching for something better, but I can say that I've seen plenty of places and none can match the natural beauty, historic resources, and pride of our people that live here in East Tennessee.
3) That pride shows on the face of every person I meet while I tour around the region. It shows when Betty is touring me around her log house or when Johnny is talking about the history of Norris Lake and the houses that were relocated before the flood.
If you haven't taken time to tool around Union County spend a Sunday getting lost in Sharps Chapel. Be sure to take a Gazetteer, some cash, and provisions (snacks and water) because you'll spend more time in "The Chapel" than you could have ever imagined. Soon, the Chamber of Commerce will have a self-guided driving tour brochure for the area, but don't wait for that...take a drive and get lost.
Preservation Toolbox Series 1-Scenic Byways, July 1, 2009
On June 30, we had about 30 people attend the first (of many) East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Toolbox. The series is one of the educational outreach programs of the Alliance and seeks to share preservation-related topics with communities around the region by partnering with local groups.
In Dandridge, we worked with the Dandridge Community Trust to host Maria Fisher, Director of Tourism for Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, who came to speak about the East Tennessee Crossing Byway. The Byway Steering Committee (covering 5 counties in East TN) applied for designation for Scenic Byway status and should know this fall if they are chosen.
After Maria completed her presentation, there were some great questions from the attendees and news that Hwy 321 was also awarded a grant to examine Byway potential.
For more information:
Knoxville News-Sentinel article
Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce
Scenic Byways
Dandridge Community Trust
What's in a Name? May 21, 2009
Back in May the new Board met at the East TN History Center. With over twenty of the new Board members present, we made great strides in putting the Alliance back together. The minutes from the meeting are posted in the "Files" section of BigTent, but in the meantime, I thought I'd cover some highlights.
First and foremost, the Board voted to change the name of the Alliance from "Nine Counties Preservation Alliance" to "East Tennessee Preservation Alliance" to make the organization more geographically specific and also to allow for potential growth as an organization. An many of you know, the nine counties are the priority, but we are assisting other counties as the demand and resources allow. We will continue to approach the Alliance in the same way, but over time we hope to slowly reach beyond the nine counties region.
In other news, the Board voted to make the Alliance a membership organization. We'll register our new name with the Secretary of State and will talk more specifically at the next meeting, July 28, about updating the bylaws and the membership structure. Everyone agreed that dues will be nominal, but would help give members an ownership over the new endeavor.
We are still working on the September 18 and 19 Regional Preservation Conference to be held at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and if you would like to serve on the Conference Committee, please email Scott Brooks (wvumorgan at yahoo dot com), who has volunteered to be the Chair of the Committee. As always, don't hesitate to call or email me if you have any preservation issues in your community. I'm still working my way around the region and rely on you to keep me informed about the happenings in your neighborhoods.
East Tennessee Preservation Alliance to Elect Board Members, April 27, 2009
The kickoff meeting of the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance was held in January. The meeting regrouped like-minded preservation supporters from across the region and allowed them to brainstorm priorities for the upcoming months. Thanks to the East Tennessee Historical Society and other regional partners, the meeting included representatives from all nine counties and was a successful kickoff event with more than 70 in attendance.
Now, the group will convene again at the East Tennessee History Center, on Monday April 27 at 6:30 pm, for its second meeting. The meeting will include elections for the new board of directors and planning for the Regional Preservation Conference on September 18 and 19, 2009. The East Tennessee History Center is located at 601 S. Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. Admission is free and all are invited to participate in this information and planning session.
The new board of directors will include two to three representatives from each of the nine counties. A president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary will also be selected. Additionally, the board of directors includes slots for ex-officio technical assistance providers from the area who will lend their professional expertise to the Alliance. The board will meet every other month and the full Alliance will continue to meet quarterly. Please stay tuned for more events, news, and projects in the nine-county region.
If you would like to get involved with the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance or need some assistance with preservation issues in your county, contact Ethiel Garlington at 865-523-8008, ext. 3.