May 2019 Newsletter

Featured Online Exhibit

“This Honorable Body: African American Legislators in in 19th Century Tennessee” is an online exhibit exploring the election and role of African American legislators following the Civil War and passage of the 15th Amendment. The exhibit introduces the fourteen legislators and what they were able to accomplish during their tenure in office prior to the establishment of Jim Crow laws. This collection highlights everything from the legislation they passed to their biographies to their only known images.

For more primary sources about Reconstruction and the 15th amendment, visit the Civil War and Reconstruction page on our website.

Tennessee Statehood Day Celebration

Join the Tennessee State Library and Archives as we partner with The Tennessee State Museum and Bicentennial Mall State Park to celebrate the day our great state was admitted to the Union in 1796. There will be events happening all day at all three locations, including things like educational talks, fun family games and crafts, free birthday cake, live music and more! All activities are free!

Please visit our Facebook Event Page for more infomation. See you on June 1st!

Discover Tennessee History

Stories, Strategies, Sources

Join Discover Tennessee History for our first conference featuring sessions from each of our member organizations. Sessions will explore topics such as reading artifacts, the Tennessee frontier, integrating literacy and children’s literature, woman suffrage, historical thinking, Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee, improving student research skills, and secession and union. Each session will support the new social studies standards.

Dr. Carroll Van West, state historian and director of the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, will open the day with a keynote speech exploring why Tennessee history matters.

Registration for the conference is $15 and includes lunch and curriculum materials. Advanced registration and payment is required. Deadline for online registration is June 2, 2019.

Register for the Conference Here!

Summer Camp Spots Still Available!

From June 10-14, 2019, the Tennessee State Library and Archives is delighted to host 20 half-day campers for our first family history camp! Explore fun and exciting stories about famous Tennesseans, discover your family’s past, and travel back in time as we experience history coming alive. Details are stated below.

Dates: June 10 – June 14
Time: 8:00-12:00 (Drop-off available starting at 7:00 AM)
Location: 403 7th Ave North, Nashville
Cost: $50/camper
Age: Rising 4th graders to 8th graders
Website: Click here to register! Additional summer camp information is available on our website as well as the required forms for registration.

Please contact camp director,
Casey.Gymrek@tn.gov for any questions.

Our mission is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness and accountability in a customer-centered environment.

sos.tn.gov/tsla/education