Latest News and Current Projects
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South Knoxville Images from Maple Hall Program
To those who attended our program on Historic South Knoxville at Maple Hall on Tues. Jan 13, we apologize that we were unable to project our PowerPoint presentation.
Here is a PDF of that presentation: KHP South Knox Maple Hall Jan 2026
If you have any questions, please contact us 865-337-7723 or email paul@knoxhistoryproject.org
KHP Celebrates 10th Anniversary in 2025-2026
The Knoxville History Project began a decade ago, partly as a method to help salvage independent journalism in Knoxville. Although our weekly, the multiple award-winning Knoxville Mercury, didn’t last in the turbulent media market, we created something that did. Approved in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, KHP has grown in directions nobody expected. Inspired by Knoxville’s complex, unique, and universally relevant stories, we’ve published many small books and a few big ones, as well as hundreds of online articles. We’ve created several online resources, from podcasts to photo galleries to driving tours, most of them free to the curious. We’ve accomplished several practical research projects for a variety of organizations. We’ve changed the city’s landscape with our “art wraps,” high-quality prints that place the work of historic local artists in public places. We’ve planned or participated in several hundred public programs—talks, tours, slideshows, Zooms—with dozens of guest speakers. We weren’t the only factor, but my impression is that Knoxville is much more interested in and aware of its history, and itself, than it used to be.
In retrospect, it seems an achievement beyond my own dreams, and in fact I couldn’t have accomplished even half of this by myself; I lean heavily on our staff, publishing director Paul James and administrative coordinator Nicole Stahl, our several creative freelance partners, and our champion board of directors.
Most of our support comes from our contract work and our hundreds of donors, to whom we’re grateful for helping create our unusual careers, and, we think, an important asset that promotes, challenges, and sometimes tries to explain our shared city.
Jack Neely, founding executive director
KHP 10th Anniversary Booklet (download)
Please consider making a donation to support KHP’s ongoing work on our donation page. Thank you.
OUT NOW: Knoxville Lives VI
Six new Knoxville stories, based on fresh research and told in depth for the first time here in this volume, the sixth edition of KHP’s “Knoxville Lives” series.
Hugh Hadley Moore, a forgotten filmmaker; Joy King, a popular and innovative folk singer; Alfred Anderson, an ice-cream vendor who became a religious and political leader in the first civil-rights movement; John R. Neal, a legendary attorney who went his own way (John R. Neal), and Hugh Tyler, a talented artist who became more famous as a sympathetic character in a Pulitzer-winning novel.
Stories written by Jack Neely, Paul Brown, Eric Dawson, and Janine Winfrey.
This 123-page, illustrated book, is available given as a premium for supporters donating 4100 or more during the 2025 calendar year or for $12.95 in our online shop.
OUT NOW: The Second Balcony:
The African American Experience at the Bijou Theatre
A new book, researched and written by Jack Neely with a foreword by Rev. Renee Kesler.
Opened in 1909 in the back of a building that was already almost a century old, the Bijou Theatre is arguably Tennessee’s oldest secular theater, and it has a long and complicated heritage. For more than 50 years, it was racially segregated, with Black people usually confined to the Second Balcony; watching any show demanded a climb of more than 50 steps. However, unlike theaters that were whites only, the theater almost always did offer seating to everyone, and became the site of several high points for Black culture, including jazz dance contests, Austin High School commencement ceremonies, and a rare performance of America’s first African American musical—as well as bold civil-rights demonstrations of the early 1960s. Since its revival in the 1970s, the Bijou has hosted many of the most influential Black performers of our era. This book highlights that not-forgotten heritage.
This 90-page, illustrated book is available for $15.00 in our online shop.
100th TENNESSEE VALLEY DOCUMENTARY
In 2019, the Tennessee Valley Fair celebrated its 100th Fair with extraordinary high-wire motorcycle acts, historical exhibits, and special programs, plus all the regular fun and educational activities that we’re all accustomed to: the poultry and cattle barns, tractor pulls and the Demolition Derby, the concerts, robotics competitions, Lego-making, painting, crafts, photography, and beauty pageants. And on top of all that, all the fun of the Midway.
Knoxville documentarians, Pete Carty and Noble Robinette, with the help of the Knoxville History Project, Tennessee Valley Fair staff, Eric Dawson with Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound (part of McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library), and numerous volunteers helped capture the anniversary on film. Revisit the 100th Fair with us here and go and experience the 101st Fair this weekend before it ends on Sunday. We look forward to seeing you next year too!
What’s Inside Your Shoe Box?
Most of us have a shoe box filled with old photos, clippings, and assorted memorabilia from our own lives and families.
You might have something in there that has distinct local importance and would also enhance KHP’s ability to tell a more comprehensive story of this special town. Old family photos might show interesting scenes or buildings. Posters and photos from musical shows here in Knoxville also have fascinating stories to tell, especially when coupled with others.
Learn how you can help KHP and enrich local history on our Knoxville Shoe Box page.
Kicking things off we have new information about Emory Place as well as the new Lib Cooper Knoxville Digital Postcard Collection to share!
WALK WITH ME PODCASTS
If you want to hear an unusual take on Knoxville’s history and culture, try Walk with Me.
This creation of musician, filmmaker, and former television host Bob Deck, through his company, Wide Lens, along with singer/songwriter/poet R.B. Morris. The newest ones, about the Tennessee and Bijou Theatres, the Knoxville Museum of Art, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and the Jig & Reel– all venues used in the recent Big Ears festival– include some historical context provided by the Knoxville History Project. It’s an interesting idea, and we hope to participate in more projects like it in the future. Go to WALK WITH ME
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