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Tales of Our 250th
June 25 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Join The Jackson Theatre and the McKinney Center on June 25 at 7:00 PM for Tales of Our 250th: Historic Preservation, part of a series celebrating local history and America’s 250th birthday. Tales of Our 250th brings together historians, musicians, storytellers, re-enactors, and original theatrical performances in a tapestry of Jonesborough stories and community history.
Each program includes scenes from the original play The First and Last Town in Tennessee, written by Anne G’Fellers-Mason, which premiered earlier this year at the McKinney Center and was featured in The New York Times. Join Jonesborough historian Paul Fink, portrayed by Tim Herron, as he walks you through the big and small moments that make Jonesborough an important part of the American story.
Tales of Our 250th kicks off with a show dedicated to Historic Preservation in Jonesborough. Revisit the Town in the 1970s when the preservation movement was heating up. Jonesborough was the second Historic District in the state to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, the first being Beale Street in Memphis. However, Jonesborough was the first to go through the nomination process and complete the paperwork. Learn more about the people who helped to make this happen with a scene from the original play The First and Last Town in Tennessee featuring local characters Carolyn Moore, Paul Fink, and Sue Henley. Step inside Sue Henley’s historic home and learn what it’s like to live with the past.
The evening will also include a special presentation from Dr. William Kennedy entitled “Tiny Town with a Big Story.” Dr. Kennedy has been instrumental in the preservation movement in Jonesborough. He was head of the Historic Zoning Commission for several years, and he advocated for preserving several key buildings in town like Academy Hill and the Historic Eureka Inn. Following Dr. Kennedy’s presentation, there will be a concert with local band The Ozone Rangers. They describe themselves as “an acoustic eclectic blend of old guys with new, old, and original songs.” Some of the members have been playing together for 40 years.
Come and celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the McKinney Center and StoryTown at the Jackson Theatre. The event will start at 7:00 pm, and the house opens at 6:00 pm. This series is Pay What You Can but go ahead and reserve your seats at thejacksontheatre.com. You can also reserve tickets by calling the Jackson Theatre’s box office at 423-788-4909 or the Visitor’s Center at 423-753-1010.
This programming is supported in part by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and the Historic Jonesborough Arts Foundation.
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About The Jackson Theatre: The Jackson Theatre is a fully restored theatre in the heart of historic downtown Jonesborough. Serving as a vibrant hub for the arts, it now operates as a music venue, theater, and film house, bringing entertainment and culture to the community again. For tickets and more information, visit thejacksontheatre.com or follow us on social media @thejacksontheatre.
