Front Porch to the Region's History

Geography defines East Tennessee as a land of mountains and valleys and with a history and heritage apart from the rest of the state. The East Tennessee Historical Society recognizes this distinctiveness with programs and exhibitions uniquely tailored to the region. Our educational mission is to engage the public with the message that history is important. 

This Day In East Tennessee History

  • May 20, 1920

    Writer and historian Wilma Dykeman was born on this day in 1920.  Newport becomes her adopted home where, in addition to writing novels such as Return the Innocent Earth, she was active in the struggle for human rights.