TSLA Hosts Workshop on Group Affiliations from the Civil War Era

Americans have long sought out groups of like-minded people with whom they can share their interests, goals, and achievements. That was true during the Civil War era and in the years following the war. And finding records from some of those groups can provide important clues about how people back then lived, thought and felt.

With that in mind, the Tennessee State Library and Archives is hosting the latest in its series of workshops, titled "Remembering the Civil War: Civil War Veterans and Friends." The workshop, which is free and open to the public, will be held August 10 from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the State Library and Archives building in downtown Nashville.

Professional genealogist J. Mark Lowe will lead the session, which will highlight some of the membership records, letters, photographs and other documents that researchers can use to learn about people who lived during that time period.

In his long career as a researcher, Lowe has specialized primarily in original records and manuscripts found throughout the South. In addition to being a teacher and author, he is a former officer and board member in the Federation of Genealogical Societies and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. His work has also been featured television programs such as "African American Lives 2," "Faces of America,” and “Who Do You Think You Are?"

Please visit our press release for more information. Although the workshop is free, advance registration is required due to limited seating in the State Library and Archives auditorium. To register or get more information about the workshop, please call (615) 741-2764 or e-mail: workshop.tsla@tn.gov.

The State Library and Archives building is located at 403 Seventh Avenue North in downtown Nashville, just west of the State Capitol building. Parking is available in front, on the side and behind the building.

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State. 

Dr. Carroll Van West appointed State Historian

In May, we delivered the sad news that Tennessee's State Historian, Walter Durham, had passed away at the age 88. He served with honor and distinction as our state's historian since his appointment to that position in 2002. Today, we are pleased to report that Governor Haslam has appointed Dr. Carroll Van West to succeed Mr. Durham as Tennessee State Historian.

Dr. West has taught as a professor in the Middle Tennessee State University history department since 1985. He currently serves as a co-chair of the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission and as a Tennessee representative on the National Board of Advisors of National Trust for Historic Preservation. West also sits on the Executive Board of Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc. and on the Advisory Board of Teaching with Primary Sources, Library of Congress.

"Governor Haslam has made an excellent choice in appointing Dr. Carroll Van West as Tennessee’s new State Historian," Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. "Dr. West has worked with our staff at the State Library and Archives on the Civil War Sesquicentennial and other public history projects, and we look forward to working with him in the future as he takes on this new role. Dr. West has been published extensively on Tennessee history and has done much to preserve the physical heritage of our state’s past. He has served admirably as the editor of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly and as the managing editor of the Encyclopedia of Tennessee History and Culture."

  

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State. 

July 12 - A Big Day for an Infamous Tennessean

Here’s a quick trivia question: Can you name five Tennesseans who became president?

If you’re a good student of the state’s history, you probably won’t have any trouble naming former U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson or James K. Polk. But a fourth or fifth?

It’s a trick question, because there were also Tennesseans who later became presidents of foreign countries, such as Sam Houston, who led the briefly-independent Republic of Texas, and William Walker, who was inaugurated as president of Nicaragua on this date in 1856.

Walker’s life is highlighted in one of the Tennessee State Library and Archives’ online exhibits. The exhibit can be found at http://tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/walker/index.htm.

Walker isn’t as famous as some Tennesseans chronicled at the State Library and Archives, but in his day, he was quite infamous for his efforts to colonize Central America.

Known as the "Grey-eyed Man of Destiny, " Nashville-born President of Nicaragua, William Walker was executed by the Honduran government at Truxillo, Honduras on September 12, 1860. In this studio portrait, Walker is seated with props symbolizing his expansionist vision: a telescoping spyglass and map. Library Collection Photo.

Three years before he became president of Nicaragua, the Nashvillian led a group of 45 men who landed in Baja California, Mexico. Walker declared the land to be the Republic of Lower California and proclaimed himself to be the new country’s president. Mexican forces soon threw him and his troops out of the country and he was tried (but acquitted) for violating U.S. neutrality laws when he returned.

Walker then led a group of 57 soldiers into Nicaragua. After fighting a number of battles and eventually becoming president, he launched a plan to “Americanize” the country by declaring English the official language and encouraging U.S. residents to immigrate there. He was later ousted by the combined forces of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. After unsuccessfully attempting to regain the presidency of Nicaragua, he was eventually captured and turned over to the Honduran government, which executed him for piracy.

“The story of William Walker is one of thousands that can be found at the Tennessee State Library and Archives,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “Because his life is chronicled in one of our online exhibits, it is accessible to Tennesseans free of charge, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. I encourage people to visit our web site and learn more about the resources that are just a few mouse clicks away.”

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.

For Many Tennesseans, Historical Research is in Their Genes

Did you know that July is Tennessee Genealogy Month? That designation was created last year through an act of the state’s General Assembly. It’s a fitting time to recognize that genealogy – that is, family history research – attracts surprisingly large numbers of people.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) gets about 10,000 visits to its offices in Nashville every year – plus millions more on TSLA’s section of the Secretary of State’s web site. Most of those visitors are genealogists.

TSLA houses the collections of some of the state’s well-known genealogists of the past. When these researchers donate their files to TSLA, they become available for others to mine for facts and details about Tennessee families.

If someone in your family has left behind a mass of family folders, consider donating them to TSLA where they can benefit not only your family, but others as well.

To read more about family history research at TSLA, please see the following article: http://tnsos.org/Press/story.php?item=561.

We also invite you to visit us at our location next door to the State Capitol at 403 Seventh Avenue North in Nashville from Tuesday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If you cannot make it Nashville, or if you’re doing research on a holiday like July 4th, you can visit us online at www.tn.gov/tsla. You can also contact our Public Services staff by email at reference.tsla@tn.gov.

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.

Secretary of State Premieres Tennessee State Capitol Documentary

It has endured an army occupation, the interment of two of its founding fathers, and a car cruising through its hallways. Not to mention its role as the site of many of the most important events in Tennessee's history. The Tennessee State Capitol building has many great stories to tell - and some of those stories were revealed in a documentary about the building that premiered last week. In attendance were state legislators, department commissioners, representatives from preservation groups and others.

State Capitol during the dedication of the Andrew Jackson statue. A crowd has gathered on the hill, the street and the roof of the Capitol building.

The documentary was created by the staff of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. It is the first part of a project that will eventually include a virtual tour of the Capitol building and its grounds, and feature stories about the building and influential people in Tennessee history.

When completed, the entire project will be burned onto DVDs that will be distributed to schools throughout the state. The project is a result of the Tennessee General Assembly's approval of Public Chapter No. 557, sponsored by Representative Jim Coley and Senator Ken Yager.

For more information, we encourage you to read the entire press release of this story, where you will find a link to the documentary and historic images of the Capitol on our website. The documentary and information on the images used in the film are available at www.capitol.tnsos.net. Additionally, the virtual tour, mini-features, and fun stories about the Tennessee State Capitol will be available soon.

Tennessee State Capitol: Grounded in Tradition from Tennessee Department of State on Vimeo.

  

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.

Picnics are an Independence Day tradition

Picnics are an Independence Day tradition. They are as much a part of the celebration of the birth of our nation as fireworks, parades, and proud displays of Old Glory.

Here at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, we wanted to celebrate America's birth by inviting you to our own picnic table. Here are a few images from our Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, fondly recalling days gone by, and hoping they inspire you to get outside with friends and family to enjoy the freedoms that we have earned throughout our nation's rich history. Happy Independence Day everyone!

Along the roadside... A picnic and roadside scene in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1954.

A watermelon cutting at Peabody College in Nashville. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1961.

A few folks found a nice secluded spot for a picnic alongside their Jeep on Roan Mountain. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1947.

A family having a picnic in the Chickasaw Forest Park. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1938.

Ladies first... A picnic for delegates to the National State Parks Conference held on a small island in Norris Lake. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1938.

A family having a picnic near the lake at the Cumberland Mountain State Park. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1950.

Looking for a scoop... The Newspaper Travel Editors tour having lunch in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, "Chimneys" camp ground. Department of Conservation Photograph Collection, 1954.

 The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.