Dr. Stephens' WSCC History LibGuide: Lesser Known Tennesseeans Project

The on-line edition of the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture is a joint project of the Tennessee Historical Society and the University of Tennessee Press. This fully searchable version of the print edition, originally published in 1998, contains over 1,500 entries. The online version has updates to existing entries, new entries, more than five hundred additional images, plus audio and video files.

This site from the Tennessee state government provides primary sources for historical research. Find sources by first clicking the historical period you are researching, then choosing a topic, then browsing the documents provided by the Tennessee Virtual Archives (the digital repository of the Tennessee State Library & Archives).

The Digital Library of Tennessee provides access to rare and unique primary sources housed in libraries, archives, and museums in the state of Tennessee. Explore photographs, letters, diaries, oral histories, maps, original art, music, material culture, and archival material that documents the cultural heritage of the state of Tennessee from the Pre-Columbian era to the present.

The Tennessee Virtual Archive (TeVA) is a digital repository of the Tennessee State Library & Archives providing open access to thousands of photographs, documents, maps, postcards, film, audio and other records relating to the history and culture of Tennessee.

National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Today, just over 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. Working with citizens throughout the nation, the National Historic Landmarks Program draws upon the expertise of National Park Service staff who guide the nomination process for new Landmarks and provide assistance to existing Landmarks.

Map of Selected Tennessee Historic Sites. Photographs and brief descriptions are on the following pages. The Tennessee Blue Book serves as a manual of useful information on our state and government,
both past and present. It contains information on the makeup of Tennessee state government, state
history, national and state constitutions, most recent election results, and census data

This page contains hyperlinks to information about all of Tennessee National Park Service-affiliated sites, including historic battlefields, parks, trails, heritage areas, and more.

The State-owned Historic Sites of the Tennessee Historical Commission represent some of the state's most important historic places. THC sites include the bungalow in Henning where young Alex Haley first heard the stories from his grandparents that would form the basis for his epic bestseller Roots, as well as a schoolhouse near Maryville where Sam Houston once taught. Other sites include the only home standing besides the White House associated with President James K. Polk (in Columbia,) and the most heavily damaged buildings surviving from the Civil War, at the Carter House State Historic Site in Franklin. .

The Tennessee Century Farms Program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as part of our nation’s bicentennial celebration. Of Tennessee’s 1487 Century Farms, 52 are Pioneer Century Farms, 30 are on the National Register, and 8 are a part of the Land Trust for Tennessee. Additionally, 7 have African-American founders, and 4 were founded by women.

The East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) works to create meaningful connections in our region in order to nurture and save historic places, the building blocks of successful communities. We raise awareness about endangered historic properties in the region and assist with finding solutions for these significant resources.