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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
In September, the Museum hosts the Days of the Pioneer Antique Show. The show features demonstrations from craftspeople as well as Civil War and Revolutionary War reenactments.
›› Appalachian Hall of Fame: From African-American sculptor Bessie Harvey to grocer, newspaperman, and one-time mayor Cas Walker, this
building encompasses some of the key figures and elements of the museum’s collection. Among the latter: a large carriage-style hearse complete with several early caskets and “Midwives of Appalachia,” which displays the herbs, home remedies, and medicine bags of the women who used to deliver most of our region’s babies.
›› McClung House: Transported to
the museum from its original location
on Kingston Pike/US Highway 70, this 1790s home belonged to one of Knox- ville’s most prominent families and is be- lieved to have functioned as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.
Special Events at the Museum
›› July 4: Independence Day celebra- tion and anvil shoot. Meyer describes this as “old-time fireworks”: “When Davy Crockett was elected to Congress, it’s how they celebrated. The cavity of one anvil is filled with black powder, and a second anvil is then placed on top of it. When the powder explodes, it flings the anvil about 100 feet into the air. Sometimes the anvil comes straight
back down and lands on the other with a clang, right where it was.” The explo- sion’s report can be heard 15 miles away. At 2 p.m., the museum partici- pates in the national bell ringing along with 10,000 other bells as they are rung in unison throughout America. At 2:15 p.m. the Liberty Pole is raised.
›› September 11 & 12: Days of the Pioneer Antique Show. An event featuring pre- mier antiques from across the country, demonstrations from pioneer craftsmen,
traditional cooking, music, and Civil War and Revolutionary War reenactments.
›› October 8: Student Heritage Day.
This event is especially geared toward student field trips and, according to
the museum, “is a history lesson, well- disguised as good, old-fashioned fun.” Children learn through hands-on experi- ence by participating in and observing activities throughout the museum’s pioneer village.
›› October 9 to 11: Tennessee Fall Homecoming. One of the nation’s larg- est and most authentic music and folk festivals, this three-day event dem- onstrates pioneer skills, Appalachian artisan crafts, traditional Southern foods, and Bluegrass and Americana music.
›› December 5 to 24: Christmas in Old Appalachia. Meyer describes this event as a quiet, traditional observance of the Christmas season: “We don’t have a lot of bright lights because that’s not how
it was celebrated back then. No one
had electricity!” Instead, natural trees, hand-made decorations such as popcorn strings and cotton balls, and stockings filled with apples, nuts, oranges, and homemade toys reflect the austere pio- neer days when Christmas was a simpler and perhaps more meaningful holiday.
How You Can Help
The museum’s events are its major fundraisers, so attending them is a way to support its mission. Individual buildings at the museum are also available for sponsorship, and tip jars are present in several places at the facility. Adults can purchase individual memberships that provide free admission and discounts to special events for $60 ($50 for seniors) or buy a family membership for $100. The museum is also always in need of volunteers. Call 865-494-7680, e-mail museum@ museumofappalachia.org, or visit the Web site: museumofappalachia.org.
Mark Spurlock is a senior writer for Cityview.
74 CITYVIEWMAG.COM JULY AUGUST 2015