2012 Marble Springs Storytelling Festival

April 14, 2012 will herald the return of the Storytelling Festival at Marble Springs.  This all day Dogwood Arts Event features some of East Tennessee’s premier storytelling artists. 

Types of stories include: Quilt stories, Women's stories, Children's tales, Fairytales and folklore, traditional and historic tales, Animal stories, and Native American stories. If you are in the mood to get spooked there will be Around the Bonfire Ghost Stories at 6pm & 7pm.

Bring your own chairs & blankets.

Donation: $5 all day, $3 student, under 6 FREE.  Parking is free.

Discounts for groups of 10 or more prior to April 4 with reservations 865-429-1783 or cuznjan@juno.com.

All activities will take place at: Marble Springs State Historic Site,1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway

Knoxville, TN  37920

This event is co-sponsored by the Governor John Sevier Memorial Assoc. & 

the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association. 

  

The Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association
www.smokymountaintellers.org

More information can be found by calling (865) 573-5508 or email

marblesprings@gmail.com 

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Marble Springs Chosen to Participate in the 2012 Conservation Assessment Program

Marble Springs State Historic Site has been awarded $7,190 by the Conservation Assessment Program of Heritage Preservation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The money will be used to hire two assessors to evaluate the museum buildings and collections. After their visits, detailed reports will be provided to the museums staff.

This grant provides a great opportunity for us to learn more about the health and preservation of our structures and collections. It could also help in the quest for grants in the future.

We are honored to have been chosen to participate in the 2012 CAP and look forward to learning how we can improve the management of our structures & collections care.

    

The End of a Season, not Good-bye...

The excitement of winning a door prize at the 2011 TAM Conference was almost overwhelming!  

From the Assistant Director/Trading Post Manager (Rebecca): It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my days at Marble Springs are coming to a close. Since my coming on staff in May 2010, I have fallen more & more in love with this site & the legacy of John Sevier. It has been my privilege to work with the fantastic staff, dedicated volunteers & supportive board members of the Governor John Sevier Memorial Association (GJSMA). It has also been my honor to have had the opportunity to become acquainted with the folks at the Tennessee Historical Commission. And, of course, all of the friends I made in the Tennessee Association of Museums from fine institutions across our great state.

This is by no means a good-bye from me - I plan to continue my relationship with Marble Springs - it is simply the end of a season of my life. We will begin homeschooling our daughter in the fall & I feel that my focus, time & energy is now best spent on preparing and implementing her education.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Executive Director, Anna Chappelle, for allowing me to use this medium to say goodbye. She is an excellent director & I know that Marble Springs will continue to thrive under her capable leadership. I would also like to express my gratitude to John Gammon for being such a wonderful co-worker &, more importantly, such a great friend. I will miss seeing you & your family on a regular basis. I would like to thank Dr. Michael Toomey for always being such a strong supporter of my professional endeavors - your support has meant more to me than I can adequately express. And, finally, I would like to say Thank You to Ethiel Garlington & all of the board members of the Governor John Sevier Memorial Association - thank you for all the opportunities you afforded me during my tenure at Marble Springs. It is because of your support & encouragement I have grown more professionally than I could ever have expected.

My last day on site will be Sunday, April 1st. In the meantime, there is a lot to be done - a lot of loose ends to tie up, so let's get to work!

Nashville Trip Fosters Relationships with Legislators

On January 25 & 26, 2012, Executive Director Anna Chappelle & Assistant Rebecca Sardella traveled over the plateau to Nashville. The purpose of this trip was two-fold: to make contact with key state legislators & to conduct important research at the Tennessee Historical Commission offices.  While Anna met with State Representatives & Senators, Rebecca was able to tour the gorgeous Tennessee Capitol Building & the Tennessee State Museum, discovering many treasures related to John Sevier along the way!  

 A silver watch presented to John Sevier by William Blount in 1796.  The inscription reads

 “To my esteemed and trusted friend John Sevier—William Blount”  Tennessee State Museum

 Sword presented to John Sevier by the state of North Carolina in honor 

of his role at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Tennessee State Museum

 Bust of John Sevier in the Tennessee Capitol Building

Portrait miniature of Catherine Sevier on display in the Tennessee State Museum

Martha Akins, Director of State Historic Sites at the Tennessee Historical Commission, was kind enough to allow us access to all of her records regarding Marble Springs State Historic Site.   These records provided a unique perspective on the history of the historic site & how the management has changed over the years. We also discovered key documents relating to archeological efforts that were completed in 2002. Only a small dent was made into the drawers full of information relating to Marble Springs.  We hope to make another trip to Nashville in the near future to continue our research efforts.

Knoxville Symphony League presents Reeds to Oboe at Marble Springs

On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Marble Springs was once again a host site for the Elegant Dining Series, presented by the Knoxville Symphony League.  At a lunch of Southern vittles in the quaint cottage on the property, Dr. Michael Toomey, noted educator, author & historian, (& immediate past GJSMA Board President) talked about life and times in the region during the 1790s.

Scheduled special guest artist KSO oboist Ayca Yayman was unable to attend the luncheon. In place of her scheduled demonstration; Executive Director Anna Chappelle, Grounds Manager John Gammon & Dr. Toomey spoke to guests about the historic structures, the mission of the GJSMA & expanded on the topic of John Sevier’s life.  A guided tour of the historic structures was led by John Gammon.

Southern Vittles were prepared by Abner’s Attic, Rex Bradford Jones, Caterer.  The hosts for this luncheon were Elizabeth Koester, Patsy Ellis,  Yellie Greebe, Rochelle Veum, Terry Finnerty &  Charlotte Walden. 

We always enjoy serving as a host site for these unique community events.  Thank you to everyone that attended that luncheon - we look forward to seeing you again soon!