June 1, 2013 marks the 217th anniversary of Tennessee's admission as the 16th state in the union. East Tennessee's most important cultural heritage sites are partnering to celebrate Statehood Day on Saturdays, May 25 and June 1. The sites include places of historical significance in the exciting journey from the creation of our country to the founding of our state.

The Historic Homes of Knoxville include: James White's Fort, Marble Springs, Ramsey House, Mabry-Hazen House, Blount Mansion and Crescent Bend. Each site will have individual ways of celebrating the birth of Tennessee.

This is a free museum day to the public.

MAY 25
Celebrate Tennessee Statehood Day at Crescent Bend, Marble Springs, and Ramsey House.

JUNE 1
Celebrate Statehood Day at Blount Mansion, James White's Fort, and Mabry-Hazen House.

Celebration includes the following participating sites:

Blount Mansion
www.blountmansion.org
200 W. Hill Ave
Knoxville, TN 37902

Blount Mansion will open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 1. Construction on Blount Mansion began in 1792, making it the oldest museum in Knox County. Commemorate the creation of the state of Tennessee and celebrate the pioneers who settled and transformed the southwest territory into the vibrant state of Tennessee. For more information call 865-525-2375.

Crescent Bend
www.crescentbend.com
2728 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919

Crescent Bend House and Gardens will be have free admission to the public on Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Historic Crescent Bend House & Gardens is one of the Southeast's finest house museums and gardens. Built in 1834 by Drury Paine Armstrong, Crescent Bend was once a 900-acre working farm and so named for its prominent setting overlooking a majestic crescent bend in the Tennessee River just west of downtown Knoxville. For more information call 865-637-3163.

James White's Fort
www.jameswhitesfort.org
205 East Hill Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37915

James White's Fort will be open on Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate Tennessee’s Birthday at the Fort and learn about Open Hearth Cooking & Blacksmithing. Free Admission, but Donations gladly accepted. For more information call 865-525-6514.

Mabry-Hazen House
www.mabryhazen.com
1711 Dandridge Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37915

Mabry Hazen House will offer tours from 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on June 1 and will be celebrating Confederate Decoration Day. Heritage groups including the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy will gather at the Bethel Cemetery to honor over 1,600 Confederate soldiers who are interred at this historic site. Speakers will be present to offer perspectives relating to the Civil War and the role of the Confederate soldier. In addition, tours of the newly opened Bethel Cemetery Civil War Museum will be offered. Parking will be located at the Mabry-Hazen House and buses will shuttle visitors down the road to the cemetery. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information call 865-522-8661.

Marble Springs
www.marblesprings.net
1220 W. Governor John Sevier Hwy.
Knoxville, TN 37920

Marble Springs State Historic Site will commemorate with two days of living history demonstrations, including militia drills and demonstrations of 18th century life. On Saturday, May 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., walk amongst living history interpreters in 18th Century clothing portraying life on the frontier, including open-hearth cooking demonstrations. Militia drills and a reading of the Declaration will take place. The celebration will continue on Sunday, May 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with living history encampments and various interpreters. All events will be free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.
For more information call 865-573-5508.

Ramsey House
www.ramseyhouse.org
2614 Thorngrove Pike
Knoxville, TN 37914

Ramsey House Plantation will be celebrating on May 25. The site will have free tours to the public from 12 to 2 pm. Historic Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey, one of Knoxville’s first settlers. For more information call 865-546-0745.