Knoxville Chronicles

Knoxville History Project
  • 5.0 (12)
  • History

Knoxville Chronicles is a podcast series produced by the Knoxville History Project highlighting some of the most interesting of the city’s old stories that still have relevance today.The Knoxville History Project is an educational nonprofit with a mission to research, preserve and promote the history and culture of Knoxville, Tennessee.Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

  1. Oct 21

    Knoxville in the Capital Era

    Commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and Knoxville’s 235th birthday, the Knoxville History Project presented a one-day symposium on October 2nd, 2026 at the East Tennessee History Center. The full day of programming featured nine Knoxville historians and archivists presenting a new look at the key events that unfolded, and all the key players who settled in this region during the mid-late 1700s when the landscape was rapidly transitioning from Native American hunting grounds, to land claimed by settlers, and the emergence of new states; as well as the changes that fueled hostilities between the settlers and Native Americans.  In this fourth session, Paul James presents, “Knoxville in the Capital Era.” Sound design and editing by Pete Carty. Theme song composed by Mike Stallings. Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project.  Funding for this season has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org  Special thanks to our generous Symposium Sponsors: The Tennessee250 Commission, Stowers Machinery Foundation, City of Knoxville, and Historic Homes of Knoxville. Our symposium program partners include East Tennessee Historical Society, and Calvin M. McClung Collection, part of the Knox County Public Library.

  2. Oct 21

    The Road to Knoxville

    Commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and Knoxville’s 235th birthday, the Knoxville History Project presented a one-day symposium on October 2nd, 2026 at the East Tennessee History Center. The full day of programming featured nine Knoxville historians and archivists presenting a new look at the key events that unfolded, and all the key players who settled in this region during the mid-late 1700s when the landscape was rapidly transitioning from Native American hunting grounds, to land claimed by settlers, and the emergence of new states; as well as the changes that fueled hostilities between the settlers and Native Americans.  In this third session Jack Neely delivers his keynote speech. Sound design and editing by Pete Carty. Theme song composed by Mike Stallings. Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project.  Funding for this season has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org  Special thanks to our generous Symposium Sponsors: The Tennessee250 Commission, Stowers Machinery Foundation, City of Knoxville, and Historic Homes of Knoxville. Our symposium program partners include East Tennessee Historical Society, and Calvin M. McClung Collection, part of the Knox County Public Library.

  3. Oct 19

    Cherokee Women, Warfare, and Resilience in the Early American Republic

    Cherokee Women, Warfare, and Resilience in the Early American Republic with Dr. Brooke Bauer Commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and Knoxville’s 235th birthday, the Knoxville History Project presented a one-day symposium on October 2nd, 2026 at the East Tennessee History Center. The full day of programming featured nine Knoxville historians and archivists presenting a new look at the key events that unfolded, and all the key players who settled in this region during the mid-late 1700s when the landscape was rapidly transitioning from Native American hunting grounds, to land claimed by settlers, and the emergence of new states; as well as the changes that fueled hostilities between the settlers and Native Americans.  In this second session from the Knoxville History Project’s “Road to Knoxville” symposium held on October 2, 2026. Dr. Brooke Bauer presents Cherokee Women, Warfare, and Resilience in the Early American Republic. Sound design and editing by Pete Carty. Theme song composed by Mike Stallings. Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project.  Funding for this season has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org  Special thanks to our generous Symposium Sponsors: The Tennessee250 Commission, Stowers Machinery Foundation, City of Knoxville, and Historic Homes of Knoxville. Our symposium program partners include East Tennessee Historical Society, and Calvin M. McClung Collection, part of the Knox County Public Library.

  4. Oct 19

    Road to Knoxville Symposium Session #1: Borderlands and Consequences

    Borderlands and Consequences: From Revolutionary War to Southwest Territory: A conversation with Dr. Warren Dockter and Dr. Chris Magra  Commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and Knoxville’s 235th birthday, the Knoxville History Project presented a one-day symposium on October 2nd, 2026 at the East Tennessee History Center. The full day of programming featured nine Knoxville historians and archivists presenting a new look at the key events that unfolded, and all the key players who settled in this region during the mid-late 1700s when the landscape was rapidly transitioning from Native American hunting grounds, to land claimed by settlers, and the emergence of new states; as well as the changes that fueled hostilities between the settlers and Native Americans.  In this first session, Paul James of the Knoxville History Project, kicks off the proceedings with a brief welcome and then introduces the first session: Borderlands and Consequences: From Revolutionary War to Southwest Territory: A conversation with Dr. Warren Dockter and Dr. Chris Magra. Sound design and editing by Pete Carty. Theme song composed by Mike Stallings. Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project.  Funding for this season has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org  Special thanks to our generous Symposium Sponsors: The Tennessee250 Commission, Stowers Machinery Foundation, City of Knoxville, and Historic Homes of Knoxville. Our symposium program partners include East Tennessee Historical Society, and Calvin M. McClung Collection, part of the Knox County Public Library.

  5. Oct 14

    Halloween Part 2 More Tricks Than Treats in Knoxville

    In part two of our Halloween podcast, the holiday puts on a mask and heads out on the city’s streets.  Although trick or treating and jack-o-lanterns were uncommon here until the early 1900s, by the roaring twenties, Halloween began to take on a livelier, and sometimes a darker turn. Costumed revelers paraded all parts of downtown, especially up and down Gay Street, blowing horns and displaying general merriment. By the early 1940s, the boisterousness had turned into mayhem and the police department began declaring a state of emergency on Halloween nights in a bid to stem widespread vandalism. It was a trend that would continue until the early 1970s. Written by Jack Neely and read by Jeremy Kourvelas.  Sound design and editing by Pete Carty. Theme song composed by Mike Stallings. Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project.   Funding for this episode has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

  6. Oct 14

    Halloween Part 1 Halloween Begins

    Some holidays just haven't changed much over the year. Beginning in the 1790s, Fourth of July was always noisy, public, and hot; Easter was always centered around church; and Thanksgiving has always involved a family meal. Christmas, on the other hand, has changed much over the years, but always at its center has had family meals, carols, church services, and gifts. Halloween, by stark contrast, is the shape-shifting monster of holidays. In duration it's about 100 times longer than it was when it first emerged from the cultural ooze. And like the Blob, it just keeps getting bigger.  Join us as we dig in to the origins of one of the most popular holidays of the year. Written by Jack Neely and read by Jeremy Kourvelas.  Sound design and editing by Pete Carty. Theme song composed by Mike Stallings. Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project.  Funding for this episode has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

  7. Sep 4

    The Tennessee Valley Fair

    Now well past its 100th anniversary, the Tennessee Valley Fair, typically held in early September every year, continues its legacy as one of the most fun events on the fall calendar.  The spot where it all takes place, Chilhowee Park, looms large in the fair’s past.   Once known as Beaman Lake, the park became a destination in the late 1800s for Knoxvillians looking to escape the dirty, grimy city. Hackney carriages, and later streetcars, quickly became a popular way to get there. The park soon became a natural spot to accommodate a regional fair.  After hosting a couple of fall festivals, the first East Tennessee Division Fair opened in 1916. Just three years later, it already began to attract newspaper headlines such as “The Most Gigantic Exhibition and Celebration ever held in the Entire Southeast,” and a “Good Old Fashioned Fair.” Now more than 100 years later since its beginnings, it’s a good time to look back at brief history of one of Knoxville’s most popular, and beloved, fall attractions. This episode was written by Paul James and read by Robin Wilhoit.  Special thanks to producer Pete Carty.  Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project. Funding for this episode has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

  8. Aug 18

    Paul Adams and Smoky Jack: The Adventures of a Remarkable Duo on Mount Le Conte

    Just over a century ago, Paul Adams, a young Knoxville explorer with a keen sense and appreciation for the natural world, spent the winter on Mount Le Conte, building a new campsite for visitors.  To keep him company Adams bought an extraordinary trained police dog with a grand name, Cumberland Jack of Edelwiess II. In the mountains he would rename the canny canine Smoky Jack and trained him  to pack supplies up and down the mountain trails using a two-pocket Cavalry Officer's leather case on the dog's back. During their adventures over the winter of 1925-1926, the pair would meet hikers, bandits, and even a rare Timber wolf, even then thought to be locally extinct.   The story of this remarkable duo offers a fascinating glimpse into the days when the national-park movement was in full swing, yet still years away from when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was complete.  Recommended Reading: Smoky Jack and Mount Le Conte (UT Press, 2016) featuring new introductions and extensive footnotes by Smokies experts Anne Bridges and Ken Wise, are based on Paul Adams’ memoirs; and LeConte Lodge: A Centennial History of a Smoky Mountain Landmark by Tom Layton and Mike Hembree (McFarland Publishers, 2025). This episode was written by Paul James and read by Robin Wilhoit.   Special thanks to producer Pete Carty.  Knoxville Chronicles is brought to you by the nonprofit Knoxville History Project. Funding for this episode has been kindly provided by the City of Knoxville and Friends of the Knoxville History Project, plus Gary Balltrip and Christopher Manning, who made donations on National Giving Day 2025 to support Season IV all year long. Thanks to all. Please consider making a donation to the Knoxville History Project to help support this ongoing podcast. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Knoxville Chronicles is a podcast series produced by the Knoxville History Project highlighting some of the most interesting of the city’s old stories that still have relevance today.The Knoxville History Project is an educational nonprofit with a mission to research, preserve and promote the history and culture of Knoxville, Tennessee.Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org

Information

  • Creator
    Knoxville History Project
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Knoxville Chronicles
  • Show Website
    Knoxville Chronicles

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