Trad itions

Our culture runs deep into the hills of the Appalachian Mountains.

From historic to modern arts, history and heritage to local craftsfolk and artisans, you’ll find the culture of Northeast Tennessee is full of southern hospitality and tradition.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/museum

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of the famous 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, explores how evolving sound technology shaped their success, and highlights how that rich musical heritage lives on in today’s music. The museum also houses a performance theater and a radio station, WBCM.

Chester Inn Museum

heritageall.org

The Chester Inn Museum is a state-owned historic site, which was built in 1797. The museum features exhibits that focus on the Inn and its history, and such significant stories as the birth of the State of Franklin, for which Jonesborough served as the capital.

Hale Springs Inn

halespringsinn.com

The historic Hale Springs Inn was built in 1824 by John A. McKinney and is nestled in the heart of historic downtown

Rogersville. The Inn features nine spaciously appointed guest rooms and suites, all with private baths.

Hale Springs Inn has three presidential suites, all named after presidents which have been previous guests to the Inn. Free tours available.

International Storytelling Center

storytellingcenter.net

The International Storytelling Center is home to the world’s foremost storytelling event, the National Storytelling Festival, which takes place the first weekend in October and draws some of the world’s top storytellers.

The Center also hosts a teller-in-residence series, as well as the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.

Kingsport Ballet kingsportballet.org

Kingsport Ballet is a ballet school and performing company staging full-length ballets such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. The ballet stages three productions each year including major Tchaikovsky ballets in its repertoire, in addition to classics like Don Quixote, Paquita, Les Sylphides and others, blending the work of seasoned professionals with dedicated area dancers.

Martin Center for the Arts etsumartincenter.org

The Martin Center for the Arts at ETSU brings to the region a fall-spring season of high-caliber public performances and events —including all genres of music, theater, dance and storytelling, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, visual artists, public art, comedy and illusion.

Niswonger Performing Arts Center

npacgreeneville.com

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) is a regional performing arts center located in historic downtown Greeneville. NPAC, which seats more than 1,100, has hosted hundreds of concerts and other events since it opened in 2004.

Olde Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast oldemillinnbnb.com

Located in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, listen for the quiet whispers from the past from Gap Creek, the old water wheel, or the 200-year-old iron furnace.

Paramount Bristol paramountbristol.org

Paramount Bristol opened in 1931. Its dazzling interiors and iconic marquee were characteristic of the Paramount Pictures chain of Art Deco movie palaces. After an ambitious restoration in 1991, The Paramount reopened as a sparkling new performance facility, equipped for all manner of stage presentations from Ballet to Broadway musicals.

Rocky Mount State Historic Site rockymountmuseum.com

Rocky Mount is a two-story log house built in the late 1820s, and is located on the former property of William Cobb in Piney Flats. Today visitors can step back into the year 1791 and gain an appreciation for the daily lifestyle of a frontier family as costumed interpreters invite guests into the restored house. Visitors discover the daily chores in the kitchen, barn, weaving cabin, gardens, and sheep.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park sycamoreshoalstn.org

The park’s visitor center features interpretive exhibits highlighting the history of this time, an Eastern National bookstore, and gift shop. The annual presentation of Tennessee’s Official Outdoor Drama, Liberty! is held every July with Fort Watauga as a backdrop, telling the story of the colonists who settled in the area during the late 18th century.