Take a Self-Guided Tour of Maury County’s Black History
Understanding history is easier with tangible points of reference. Many historic African American schools, cemeteries and church...
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Conference Center
Conference Center
Tomeka Allgood
4 min read
Winchester’s Black History Is On Display at Townsend Cultural Center
From the outside, the Townsend Cultural Center looks like any other brick building. At first glance, it might not look like anything...
Tomeka Allgood
1 min read
A Celebration of Black Tennesseans: Stagecoach Mary, Mary Fields
Mary Fields was born in Hickman County, Tennessee to enslaved parents, she was emancipated after the Civil War.
Ryan P. French
2 min read
The Matt Gardner Homestead in Elkton, Tennessee
Former slave Gardner rose to prominence after the war as a minister, farmer and philanthropist.
Ryan P. French
2 min read
The story of Jack Daniel and Nearest Green
After the American Civil War, Jack bought Call's still and hired Nearest, now a free man, to become Jack Daniel's first Master Distiller.
Ryan P. French
1 min read
James Thomas Bridgeforth's amazing impact on education in Tennessee
James Thomas Bridgeforth was educated in Giles County, Tennessee and at A&I State College. In the early 1900's he became interested in secur
Tennessee Encyclopedia
2 min read
African American business leader in cosmetology and civil rights activist Eva Lowery Bowman
African American business leader in cosmetology and civil rights activist Eva Lowery Bowman was born to William and Alice Lowery in Nashvill
Tennessee Encyclopedia
2 min read
Shelbyville's Historic Gilliland House
Shelbyville's historic Gilliland House is a unique vernacular stone building completed by James S. "Jim" Gilliland.
Ryan P. French
3 min read
William Edmondson, first African American artist to have an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art
Few folk artists can claim the widespread recognition by the world of fine art that William Edmondson achieved during his lifetime.
Tennessee Encyclopedia
2 min read
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Caldonia Fackler "Cal" Johnson
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Cal Johnson was born to Cupid and Harriet Johnson in Knoxville on October 14, 1844. The Johnson family, slav
Tennessee Encyclopedia
3 min read
Blues icon, Leroy Carr
One of the most influential blues artists of the twentieth century, Leroy Carr was born in Nashville around 1905.
Tennessee Encyclopedia
3 min read
McKissack and McKissack Architects
The McKissack and McKissack architectural tradition dates back to the first Moses McKissack (1790-1865) of the West African Ashanti tribe, w
Tennessee Encyclopedia
3 min read
Dr. William Key and "Beautiful Jim Key"
William Key, nineteenth-century veterinarian and horse trainer, was born a slave in Winchester and took the name of his owner, William Key,
Ryan P. French
1 min read
Black History Month in Tennessee
This month we will celebrate the accomplishments, the courage, and the impact that black Tennesseans have had on the world.
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