Exhibition held in 1910 and 1911 in Knoxville, Tennessee'
Bandstand built for the Appalachian Exposition in 1910
The Appalachian Exposition, also known as the Appalachian Exhibition, was an event held in 1910 and 1911 in Knoxville, Tennessee's on property (now Chilhowee Park) owned by Knoxville Railway and Light.[1] The park grounds were 65 acres and included two lakes.[2] The exhibitions demonstrated progress in Southern industry.[3] Former president Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the 1910 exposition, and president William Howard Taft spoke in 1911.[4]
Appalachian Exposition's "Negro Building" (1910)The Thurman & Loveday building with a sign for the Appalachian Exposition, with a horse drawn wagon for mail
William J. Oliver was the exposition's president in 1910. Sara Ward Conley loaned historical materials to be exhibited. R. F. Graf designed the Bandstand and the Liberal Arts Building for the Appalachian Exposition.[8][9]
The "Negro Building" at the Appalachian Exposition was praised for its beauty, it was designed by architect John Henry Michael from Knoxville College, with business partner William Stacy, and it was constructed by Knoxville College students.[11] The two story, 6,000 square foot "Negro Building" was a combination of "Oriental" and Modern styles as per the request by the exposition; it sat alongside a lake, with a dramatic double stairway that led to a mezzanine.[11] H. M. Green (also known as Henry Morgan Green), the City Physician for Knoxville, served as the chairman of the "Colored Department" at the Appalachian Exposition.[12]
1911 exposition
In 1911, over $35,000 was spent by the Appalachian Exposition Association on providing free attractions for the exhibition.[2] In the center of the exhibition grounds, there was a grandstand made of Tennessee marble.[2] The main attractions were the mineral and forest exhibits.[2] Some of the activities held included guest speakers, horse racing, flight performances, and a "Nashville Day."[2]
Lawrence Tyson served as president of the 1911 Exposition.[2]Jane Franklin Hommel served as chair of the Women's Congress of the Appalachian Exposition in 1911.
^ abcBrewer, Becky French; McDaniel, Douglas Stuart (2005). Park City. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 7, 31–32, 40–51.
^Lucile Deaderick, ed. (1976). Heart of the Valley: A History of Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville, Tenn.: East Tennessee Historical Society. pp. 47–50.
^Hoobler, James (2009). "Lloyd Branson". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
^Elizabeth Moore (2009). "Anna Catherine Wiley". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
^Plaque at the Chilhowee Park Bandstand, Knoxville, Tennessee.
^ abEast Tennessee Historical Society, Lucile Deaderick (ed.), Heart of the Valley: A History of Knoxville, Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.: East Tennessee Historical Society, 1976), p. 49.
^Jack Neely, Knoxville's Secret History (Scruffy Books, 1995), pp. 73-76.