Executive

As our nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, the Tennessee State Library & Archives has launched Patriot Paths, a new project that uses Revolutionary War pension records to map the paths that these soldiers took before and after their service.

Thirteen Tennessee students took top honors at the 2019 National History Day competition, winning two medals and a special award. In total, 56 middle and high school students represented Tennessee in the competition, which allows students to showcase their creativity and research skills by developing projects with historical themes.

Four county administrators of elections are being recognized for passing the state certification exam. Secretary of State Tre Hargett presented each administrator with a certificate Monday at the annual state election law summer seminar in Nashville. Two administrators passed the exam Sept. 24, 2018. As a result, all 95 counties had a certified administrator of elections for the November 2018 general election: Josh Tapp, Fayette County Administrator of Elections; Kyra Inglis, Marion County Administrator of Elections.Two administrators passed the exam May 9, 2019: Andy Farrar, Coffee County Administrator of Elections; Susie Davenport, Warren County Administrator of Elections.

Tennessee turns 223 Saturday, June 1. To celebrate Tennessee’s Statehood, the Tennessee State Library and Archives is partnering with the Tennessee State Museum and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park to host a variety of events Saturday, June 1 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CDT. Attendees can see the constitutions, tour the state Capitol and Bicentennial Mall Park grounds, participate in a scavenger hunt, meet characters from the past, play historic games, listen to live music and enjoy birthday cake. Join them for a day of fun to celebrate Tennessee becoming a state!

The Civil War has touched the life of almost every U.S. citizen but connecting families with complete records can present challenges. On Saturday, May 4, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free workshop entitled, “Cross Connections to the Civil War.” Presenter J. Mark Lowe will demonstrate how to search and use the wide variety of records available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives – including records from the Grand Army of the Republic, United Confederate Veterans, United States Colored Troops, Confederate and Union Army pensions, Southern Claims Commission, courts-martial, newspaper accounts, unit histories, letters to governors and presidents, diaries and more. Participants can expect to leave with knowledge and tools to draw a more complete picture of their Civil War ancestor and family history.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced the 2019-2020 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State Library and Archives later this month will host a workshop on the newly-redesigned Tennessee Virtual Archive (TeVA). The free online repository of Tennessee’s history, containing thousands of digitized historic items from the collections of the Library and Archives was overhauled in 2018 to make it mobile-friendly and more accessible to the public. TeVA contains valuable collections, such as photographs, documents, maps, postcards, audio, and video. Digital Materials Librarian Jennifer Randles will take attendees on a tour of the new website and demonstrate how to make the most of TeVA, including navigating, browsing, searching, viewing and downloading. Participants will learn how to quickly find what they need in TeVA’s collections and view some of the many items available via the website. Prior to joining the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Randles worked at Scripps Networks Interactive and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries. She holds a master’s degree in information science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The workshop will be held from 9:30 – 11 a.m., Saturday, March 23, in the auditorium of the Library and Archives, located at 403 7th Ave. N. in Nashville. While the workshop is free, reservations are required due to limited seating. To make a reservation, visit https://tevatalk.eventbrite.com.