With These Hands: A History Based Play

Bringing The Past To Life In Meaningful Ways
August 3 through 4

The Heritage Alliance and The McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School are joining
together to produce the original, history-based play, With These Hands as a joint fundraiser for
the two organizations.

This full length “dramadey” is filled with stories from Jonesborough’s own history, “Stories that
ground us, make us think and that show us just how closely our future aligns with our past.”
says playwright Anne G’Fellers-Mason.

This production, written by G’Fellers-Mason and directed by Jules Corriere, highlights significant
moments in the history of Jonesborough and Washington County. It also features some of
Jonesborough’s best-known residents, including town historians Paul Fink and Miriam Fink-
Dulaney, Angelina Mason and Charlotte Dilworth, and many others, some whose legacy is
found in street names and buildings, and others, in the work they built with their own hands
that still stand today- the railroad, the courthouse, the steps leading to the Old Mill Spring.
These are the stories of real people and real families through history, meeting at crisis points,
and finding ways past them. “Their struggles in the past inform us of how we can move forward
when we face these same kinds of obstacles. History is cyclical, but we can learn from it.
Anne’s play is very timely. There are lessons inside. The Masons and the Dilworths bridged gaps
over great divides, it was difficult, but they found a way, and we can aspire to their example.”
Says Corriere.

The play may hold answers, but it asks even more questions- something that a good work of art
always does. Can two families keep their friendship intact even though they find themselves on
opposing sides of the Civil War? Can a former Southern Belle allow herself to accept help from a
Freedman after emancipation? And the burning question- What is historic spit and what does it
have to do with the Washington County Courthouse? These scenes and more will be brought to
life on stage for one weekend only, in a multi-media production which will infuse historic
archival photos, connecting the past to the present.

Importantly, the proceeds from this production will benefit two important organizations in the
Town of Jonesborough. The Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia is
dedicated to the preservation of the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region
and to providing educational experiences related to history and heritage for a wide range of
audiences. The McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School is dedicated to building
community and enriching relationships through excellent arts education, cultural
interpretation, and historic preservation. Tickets for this production, which are only $20, will
serve each organization’s educational programs.

Performances of With These Hands will take place at 7:30 p.m. on August 3 and 4. There will be
a 2 p.m. matinee performance on August 4th. This unique fundraiser is a great way to support
history, preservation, and the arts in Jonesborough. Funds from the production will enhance the
educational programs of both organizations. With These Hands is just one example of the
programming the Heritage Alliance and the McKinney Center have to offer.
To purchase tickets, please call the Jonesborough Visitor’s Center at 423.753.1010 or online at
jonesborough.com/tickets. Tickets may be sold at the door, depending upon availability, but it
is highly advised to purchase tickets in advance, as seating is limited.