Art

Architectural Resources at the Tennessee State Library and Archives
The Tennessee State Library and Archives holds a diverse collection of architectural resources, including items of interest to both the professional and the layperson. The papers of several firms and state construction records comprise the bulk of the Library & Archives' blueprints collection. Researchers will find the Library & Archives’ rich trove of photographic materials to be of particular interest when learning how city skylines and architectural styles have evolved over Tennessee’s two hundred years of history.

Bernhardt Wall Etchings
TSLA has chosen to display portions of Bernhardt Wall’s Following Andrew Jackson, a limited edition pictorial biography containing etchings of scenes from Jackson’s life. Given the historical focus of many of Wall’s subjects and scenery, in addition to his meticulous artistic process, Wall’s work is considered by many to be a unique artistic form of historical documentation. The images displayed were chosen for the subject matter represented, as well as their Tennessee connections.

Nineteenth Century Native American Prints
This three-volume set of Native-American portraits, entitled the History of The Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs, was assembled by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall between 1836 and 1844. The images document a number of tribes on the cusp of their decline and forcible removal by the United States government. McKenney, the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1824 to 1830, commissioned their portraits when Native American chiefs and other representatives visited Washington to negotiate treaties.

Strickland Sketches
The images in this digital collection consist of original drawings, elevations, ground plans, and watercolor sketches attributed to famed architect William Strickland (1788-1854) and his son, Francis W. Strickland (1818-1895). The collection includes plans for the Tennessee State Capitol as well as various other buildings including churches, houses, and banks. Examples of Italianate as well as Greek Revival and Egyptian architecture may be seen in the materials.

Throwaway History - The Broadside in American Culture

Intended for wide distribution, broadsides were traditionally used as a tool to disseminate information. Printed on large sheets of paper and sometimes rich in illustration, broadsides were posted on buildings or handed out to the general population. These ephemera were often produced in mass quantities to advertise, promote or announce official proclamations, public meetings, and entertainment events. Originally designed to have an immediate impact on the observer, broadsides were created for disposable and temporary use.
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