Stories from the Blog

The Tennessee State Museum Stories Blog contains articles featuring topics on Tennessee history and our collection of artifacts: https://tnmuseum.org/Stories

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Tennessee State Museum

the kingdom of the poor by charles strobel, author of my journey home

Beatitude Moments: Learning Grace in Strobel's 'Kingdom'

In "The Kingdom of the Poor," a memoir by Father Charles Strobel, he calls us to seek Beatitude Moments — unexpected, grace-filled experiences that remind us to see the divine in the everyday. The book, published after Strobel passed away in August 2023, recounts his lifelong experience in connecting with others. On our Stories blog via partnership with Chapter 16, Amanda Haggard details the book and describes her own memorable encounter with Strobel at a Homeless Memorial event in Nashville.

an old black and white photo of men working in a factory

Piggly Wiggly

Grocery Store

Piggly Wiggly: The World's First Supermarket

Before 1916, a trip to the grocery store was a much different experience than it is today. Clarence Saunders, who worked at a grocery warehouse in Memphis, thought of a new idea: the supermarket! 🛒 He opened the first Piggly Wiggly in Memphis in September of 1916. In Saunders' new shopping model, the customer no longer had to give a list to a clerk, but could pick their own items. By 1923, Piggly Wiggly was the third largest grocery business in the country.

Sirens Of Titan

University Of Tennessee Knoxville

Breakfast Of Champions

Vonnegut in Knoxville: A Look at the Author’s Time in Tennessee

Before he was the famous American author known for novels such as "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "The Sirens of Titan," Kurt Vonnegut was a member of the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an education program developed to “produce well-trained men to finish the war effort.” On the Thousands of Stories blog, Museum Curator Matthew Gailanii documents Vonnegut’s brief but memorable time in Tennessee.

The Tennessee State Museum is pleased to announce additions to its permanent collection of fine art: two limestone sculptures by celebrated artist and craftsperson William Edmondson (1874–1951), as well as works by American photographer Edward Weston (1886–1958). This acquisition was the gift of Ms. Elizabeth Joseph, daughter of the late Alfred and Elizabeth Starr of Nashville, who were leading supporters of the arts in Tennessee. Edward Weston, Girl Scout Patches, Military Branches, Virtual Field Trips, African American Culture, First Peoples, Tennessee State, National Photography, New York Art

African American Culture

New Acquisitions: William Edmondson and Edward Weston

The Tennessee State Museum is pleased to announce additions to its permanent collection of fine art: two limestone sculptures by celebrated artist and craftsperson William Edmondson (1874–1951), as well as works by American photographer Edward Weston (1886–1958). This acquisition was the gift of Ms. Elizabeth Joseph, daughter of the late Alfred and Elizabeth Starr of Nashville, who were leading supporters of the arts in Tennessee.

an old black and white photo of two people in front of a fire

Harriet Hankins Home Near Norris Dam, 1933

This photograph shows the interior of the Harriet Hankins home near Norris Dam in 1933. Hankins was 73 years old when Lewis Hine took this photograph; Hine was commissioned by the TVA to photograph the area where the new Norris Dam was to be built in 1936. In order to complete the project, residents were forced to move to Knox, Anderson, Blount, and Loudon counties nearby.

an old black and white photo of a young man wearing goggles, pilot's hat and jacket

The Abe Leaver Jr. Collection: A Dive Into 33 Air War Missions

The Museum recently acquired a substantial collection of artifacts related to Sgt. Horace Abraham “Abe” Leaver Jr., a Nashville native who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II. Leaver was assigned the left waist gunner position aboard a B-17(G) aircraft and flew 33 missions to places such as Berlin, Leipzig, Reims, Munich, and Schweinfurt. The artifacts related to Abe Leaver help the Museum interpret the story of the air war in WWII through the unique eyes of a Tennessean.

In our Summer 2024 cover story, our curators of military history dive into the 33 air war missions completed by Abe Leaver of Nashville, who served as a left waist gunner aboard a B-17(G) during World War II. Elsewhere in this issue, we feature new art acquisitions that include works by sculptor William Edmondson and photographer Edward Weston. Don't miss the article on the newly-displayed stained-glass window that once greeted passengers above the entryway of Nashville’s Union Station. Mission Complete, Union Station, Cover Story, Digital Resources, Event Calendar, Military History

Tennessee State Museum Summer 2024 Newsletter

In our Summer 2024 cover story, our curators of military history dive into the 33 air war missions completed by Abe Leaver of Nashville, who served as a left waist gunner aboard a B-17(G) during World War II. Elsewhere in this issue, we feature new art acquisitions that include works by sculptor William Edmondson and photographer Edward Weston. Don't miss the article on the newly-displayed stained-glass window that once greeted passengers above the entryway of Nashville’s Union Station.

an old black and white photo of people standing in front of a small house with trees

Music Education and Female Professionals in Tennessee

From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, the field of music offered Tennessee women important educational and professional opportunities. While women often faced community expectations that restricted their ambitions to home and family concerns, some also pursued education which enabled them to engage in a more social and public life. On our Stories blog, read about the experiences of Tennessee women who taught music at female academies, residences, churches, and more.

a woman standing in front of a book cover and an image of the tigerbells

Wilma Rudolph

Tennessee State University

TSU Tigerbelles: The Road to Rome

Aime Alley Card’s extraordinary book, "The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State," describes the women’s track and field program at Nashville’s Tennessee State University from its humble beginnings to the triumphant performance of Wilma Rudolph and her teammates at the 1960 Rome Olympics. On our Stories blog, Tina Chambers reviews the book and takes a look at the team's history with "TSU Tigerbelles: The Road to Rome," via Chapter 16.

many old papers and postcards are on the wall with writing all over them, including letters that read public speaking

New Acquisitions to the Museum's Collection: Spring 2024

In the Spring edition of "New Acquisitions to the Museum’s Collection," we're taking a look into U.S. Navy and Vietnam War veteran Ronald Adair’s letter collection, the Walker Sisters' legacy, Wayne White’s "Radio Magic Eight Ball," and more. Learn about these new artifacts of interest on our Stories blog.

an old woman with white hair wearing a yellow scarf and black vest, looking at the camera

Thomas Campbell

Newly Acquired: The A. Everette James, Jr. Collection

The Tennessee State Museum is pleased to announce the acquisition of a group of 22 works of Tennessee art from the A. Everette James, Jr. Collection. Artists represented in the acquisition include Mayna Treanor Avent, Lloyd Branson, Thomas Campbell, Gilbert Gaul, Catherine Wiley and more. These works complement the Museum’s representation of some of Tennessee’s most significant 19th and 20th century artists and add some artists not previously represented in the State Museum collection.

an old fashioned wooden desk with drawers on the top and bottom drawer open to show what's inside

What makes Tennessee furniture “Tennessee?”

What makes Tennessee furniture “Tennessee?” This question, at the heart of a new exhibition opening at the Tennessee State Museum on April 20, 2024, seeks to inspire new conversations and appreciation for the Museum’s vast furniture collection. The group of objects exhibited in "Tennessee Furniture: Selections from the State Museum Collection" is wide-ranging and diverse. On our blog, Candice Roland Candeto takes us through the variety of approaches used to learn from and connect with furniture.

an image of a book about guitar method and a wooden mallet on a purple brick wall

New Field Trip Programs Explore Tennessee’s Musical Heritage

Step into the world of Tennessee's musical heritage with our new field trip programs! 🎵 Students can now experience the Museum's latest exhibit, "The Tennessee Playlist: The People, Places, and Roots of Our Music" by exploring the gallery itself or by getting hands-on with actual instruments in our classroom. 🎶 Join us on a journey through the themes of people, places, and roots. Teachers, book your trip today at the link!

an assortment of clothing and memorabilia is displayed on a white surface with music memorabilia in the background

Middle Tennessee State University

New Acquisitions to the Museum's Collection: Fall-Winter 2023/24

Uniforms worn by Sergeant Robert Barlow; rare photographs of renowned harmonica player DeFord Bailey; a keyboard from famous music producer Tay Keith, and more! In our New Acquisitions blog, we share the stories of behind some of the Museum’s most recent acquisitions. Read more on the Stories blog at the link.

an old black and white photo of a group of people in front of a church

“It Seemed Like Everybody Got in the Singing:” Music and Communities in Tennessee

Music is a powerful way to build and strengthen communities. Participating in singings and related events have offered Tennesseans opportunities to join together in song. On the Thousands of Stories blog, Dr. Miranda Fraley Rhodes uncovers how our desire to gather together has shaped our shared musical legacy. Read more with “It Seemed Like Everybody Got in the Singing:” Music and Communities in Tennessee. #TheTNPlaylist

Stories from the Blog

The Tennessee State Museum Stories Blog contains articles featuring topics on Tennessee history and our collection of artifacts: https://tnmuseum.org/Stories

153 Pins

·1w

Tennessee State Museum