Testimonials

The Custom House on Market Street which for many years, as the worn steps will attest, served as Knoxville’s main Post Office for Knoxvillians to send, and before rural delivery routes, retrieve their mail. (Sam Furrow Knoxville Postcard Collection)

In the summer of 2020, KHP invited audience members attending our weekly talks on Zoom to share comments of how our programs were positively affecting their lives during the pandemic. We were humbled and gratified by their quick and heartfelt responses. Here are several examples:

“I’ve lived in Knoxville for 7-1/2 years, and KHP makes me feel more Knoxvillian every week.” – Deanne Charlton

“Bob and I want to thank you for the tremendous job you have done to continue to promote the history of Knoxville during this COVID-19 pandemic.  Jack, Paul and Nicole have spent many hours providing informative programs weekly over Zoom to keep us connected as our monthly in person meetings have changed into weekly Zoom meetings. You don’t know how much we look forward to and appreciate these informative programs while sheltering in place. Please keep up the excellent work you are doing. Thanks again!” – Linda Wimbrow

“Throughout this summer, and the limitations imposed by COVID-19, my wife Diane Fox and I have greatly enjoyed attending the Knoxville History Project’s series of Zoom presentations. History is storytelling, and when told well, connects our present to the past in ways that inform, enlighten and enrich. Each week offers new, beautifully illustrated talks covering a range of topics, from architecture and art, the history of the suffragettes to our cultural diversity. We are so fortunate have KHP enrich our lives.”   – Beauvais Lyons

“I woke up this morning thinking about what I have learned through the Knoxville History Project’s Zoom talks about Knoxville’s African American community. When I was a kid in Knoxville in the 40’s/50’s/60’s Knoxville was segregated, as were my all-white schools.  The only way I ever saw any Black persons was going to a downtown parade where Austin High School band participated, or sometimes there were Smithwood African-Americans on the “This section reserved for colored people” back seat of the Knoxville Transit Lines.  Through the Knoxville History Project I have learned there were African American persons on Knoxville City Council in the late 1800’s, and about the African American churches in the community, about an African American business man-developer, about the African American schools in town, and the Black communities near the brick factory and elsewhere.  And I have learned about African American musicians who either lived in Knoxville or performed there.  The Knoxville History Project is a vital factor in realizing that Black lives mattered in Knoxville, even through many of us living there were not aware of who our fellow residents and the contributions they made to our lives.” – Walter Parry

“Thank you for the wonderful online lectures and slides that you are providing during this Civid-19 chapter of our lives in Knoxville and around the world.  Each week the lectures have offered a refreshing opportunity to be transported to other times to feel our roots, to gain greater insights about how we got here, and hopefully move forward positively by learning from the past.  It is not only a weekly escape from the news of our times, but also an anchor that holds us steady in knowing we will move past this adversity and thrive once again, just like those who came before us.  I look forward to this shared online experience each week, and come away inspired and comforted.” – Sue Renfro

If you would like to share your own feelings about KHP’s work, please email Paul James at paul@knoxhistoryproject.org or call us at the KHP office at 865-337-7723.

Thank you.