Tennessee Online Voter Registration
Tue, Jul 3 2018
Tennesseans who want to vote in the Aug. 2 primary must register to vote Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Luckily, registering is easier than ever in Tennessee using a computer, tablet or smartphone. Online voter registration allows any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or photo ID
TN Students Awards Ceremony
Thu, Jun 21 2018
Twelve Tennessee students took top honors at the 2018 National History Day competition. In total, 58 middle and high school students represented Tennessee in the contest, which allows students to showcase their creativity and research skills by developing projects with historical
Wrapped Files Teaser
Mon, Jun 11 2018
A host of genealogy records are available at the click of a mouse, but researching solely online will reveal less than 10 percent of all the world’s genealogical records. On June 23, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free workshop entitled “It’s Not All Online
County Administrators Exam Graduates
Tue, Jun 5 2018
Six county administrators of elections are being recognized for passing the state certification exam. Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins presented each administrator with a certificate Monday at the annual Tennessee Association of County
Librarian Research
Wed, May 16 2018
Over a five-year period, World War I ravaged Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa, overturning governments and costing millions of lives. The United States joined the battle in 1917, eventually mobilizing more than 4 million soldiers and countless civilians who
TN in the First World War
Wed, May 16 2018
Over a five-year period, World War I ravaged Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa, overturning governments and costing millions of lives. The United States joined the battle in 1917, eventually mobilizing more than 4 million soldiers and countless civilians who
TN State Constitution
Mon, May 14 2018
The Tennessee State Library and Archives will put all three of the state’s original constitutions on display to the public in commemoration of Statehood Day. The constitutions are typically protected in a vault, but all three versions will be in the Library and Archives’ lobby
Civic Engagement Committee
Tue, May 8 2018
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office is pleased to announce six new members of the Civic Education and Engagement Advisory Committee. Since its inception as the Blue Book Curriculum Task Force, the committee was expanded to advise and assist Secretary of State Tre Hargett on
TN History Day Banner
Thu, Apr 12 2018
Sixty-two students will represent Tennessee at the National History Day competition this summer. The students are advancing after placing first or second in various categories at Tennessee History Day Saturday, April 7. Participants entered documentaries, exhibits, performances
MLK Jr.
Wed, Apr 4 2018
Former Rep. Tommie F. Brown (D-Chattanooga) hosted a Black History Month program before the 104th Tennessee General Assembly Feb. 23, 2005, to honor the many contributions made by African-American members. Christian Suttles recited a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I
Women helping child read braille
Thu, Mar 29 2018
The Tennessee Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is now the Tennessee Library for Accessible Books and Media. The name change became official March 9. The library often leads the nation in how it reaches patrons who sometimes need more specialized service than their
Prison cell door
Mon, Mar 26 2018
Following the trail of an ancestor in trouble with the law or plagued with mental illness is often difficult. On April 14, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free workshop entitled “Locked Up: Finding Ancestors in Prisons and Asylums.”
Victorian style home
Mon, Mar 19 2018
The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is one of the most visited locations in Nashville, but the property’s historical significance is often overlooked. On April 5, the Tennessee State Library and Archives and Nashville Zoo will co-host a free program highlighting the history of the
2017 Civics Essay Winners
Thu, Mar 8 2018
The winners of our 2017 civics essay contest are being honored in the Tennessee State Capitol. The students range from kindergarten to 12th grade representing school systems and programs across the state.
2017 Economic Report
Thu, Mar 1 2018
The number of new businesses keeps climbing suggesting the state’s economic growth will continue, according to a new report released by the Secretary of State's office. There were 8,915 new entity filings in the fourth quarter of 2017, representing an 8.5 percent increase
House keyring
Thu, Feb 22 2018
For many victims of domestic abuse, stalking and similar crimes, escaping abusers is no easy task. In 2016 alone, 78,100 domestic violence offenses were reported in Tennessee. In over 80 percent of these reported incidents, the primary victim was either a woman or a child. In
Archive photo of soldiers
Thu, Feb 15 2018
Over a five-year period, World War I ravaged Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa, overturning governments and costing millions of lives. The United States joined the battle in 1917, eventually mobilizing more than 4 million soldiers and countless civilians who
Archive photo of family
Thu, Jan 25 2018
Connecting families with records that tie them together is often a barrier in African-American research. On Feb. 17, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free workshop on African-American genealogy. Patrons will watch Discovering the Missing Threads and Patches in
Image of TN Blue Book
Tue, Jan 23 2018
The 2017-2018 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book is dedicated to Governor Bill Haslam. Gov. Haslam, a native Knoxvillian, was elected as Tennessee’s 49th governor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 with the largest victory in modern Tennessee history. Major accomplishments from his
TSLA Building Northwest Corner
Mon, Jan 15 2018
Newspapers are some of the most valuable resources for piecing together history. On Jan. 26 the Tennessee State Library and Archives is hosting a free workshop with tips and tricks to make your newspaper research more fruitful.
New TSLA Groundbreaking Ceremony
Mon, Dec 11 2017
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Gov. Bill Haslam, Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist Chuck Sherrill and other state leaders officially broke ground on the new home of the Tennessee State Library and Archives Monday.
Student Essay Teaser
Fri, Dec 8 2017
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office is pleased to announce the winners of its 2017 civics essay contest, an annual initiative created to encourage students to be actively engaged citizens. Students were asked to write about citizenship with length requirements varying by
2017 Tennessee Archives Institute Graduates
Wed, Dec 6 2017
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is proud to recognize 11 new graduates of the Tennessee Archives Institute. The archives development program annually hosts this two-and-a-half day series of workshops on the principles and practices of archival management and records
2017 Q4 Econ Report
Mon, Nov 20 2017
Six years of year-over-year growth coupled with historically low unemployment rates indicate Tennessee’s economy won’t slow down anytime soon, according to a report released by the Secretary of State's office. There were 9,326 new entity filings in the third quarter of 2017
Veteran with US Flag
Mon, Nov 13 2017
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery, III and law enforcement partners in 24 states announced a settlement with VietNow National Headquarters, Inc., an Illinois nonprofit corporation, resulting in the organization’s termination.
Workers with Manuscripts
Wed, Nov 8 2017
Thanksgiving is a time when many of us reconnect with family members and share stories. At the Tennessee State Library and Archives, families can also explore stories of their relatives who lived generations ago. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the staff at the Library and
Rendering of the Technology Engagement Center
Tue, Nov 7 2017
The Linebaugh Public Library System is receiving a $100,000 Library Construction Grant from the Tennessee State Library and Archives to create a new Technology Engagement Center, the first of its kind in the state of Tennessee. The $2.2 million addition will be located on the
Librarian Research
Mon, Oct 16 2017
Over a five-year period, World War I ravaged Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa, overturning governments and costing millions of lives. The United States joined the battle in 1917, eventually mobilizing more than 4 million soldiers and countless civilians who
Person uses keyboard with braille display
Tue, Oct 10 2017
The Tennessee Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (TLBPH), a division of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, has a new online ordering system offering unprecedented access to patrons. The system is available 24/7 and can be easily accessed on a computer or
A rendering of the Johnson County Public Library planned expansion.
Tue, Oct 3 2017
The Johnson County Public Library is receiving a $100,000 Library Construction Grant from the Tennessee State Library and Archives to expand its current facility.
Student Essay Teaser
Tue, Sep 19 2017
The Tennessee Secretary of State's office is kicking off its second annual student essay contest to encourage students to be actively engaged citizens. The essays will focus on citizenship with length requirements varying by grade level.
Folklife performance featuring Thomas Maupin
Fri, Sep 8 2017
In partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free event about “folklife” Oct. 14. Folklife is a multifaceted tradition which values oral stories, songs, art and many other cultural aspects.
Online Voter Registration
Wed, Sep 6 2017
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is proud to officially launch the state’s new online voter registration system. The system offers a convenient way for voters to easily register or change their address if they have moved. Counties across Tennessee can now securely receive
Satellite image of hurricane from space
Tue, Sep 5 2017
The images are heartbreaking. For the last week, we’ve all seen stories coming out of Houston and the rest of the Gulf Coast showing the catastrophic mess Hurricane Harvey is leaving behind. As I write this, rescues are still underway. In fact, first responders and volunteers
Old hand drawn map
Wed, Aug 23 2017
Locating the land of an ancestor can uncover a wealth of knowledge. On Sept. 23, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free workshop about land platting. It will be a basic review of the steps in locating the description of property in Tennessee and platting that
Q3 2017 Employment Forcast
Thu, Aug 17 2017
The number of new entity filings coupled with a historically low unemployment rate indicates Tennessee has a healthy economy, according to a report released by the Secretary of State's office. There were 9,524 new entity filings in the second quarter of 2017, representing a 6.8
Tennessee History Day
Tue, Jun 20 2017
Five Tennessee students received medals last week during the 2017 National History Day Contest. In all, 58 middle and high school students represented Tennessee in the competition, where students prepare documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites with historical
Q2 Employment Forcast
Mon, May 15 2017
Tennessee’s economy continues to grow with a robust start to 2017, according to a report released by the Secretary of State's office. There were 10,372 new entity filings in the first quarter of 2017, which represents an 8.7 percent increase over the same time last year. This
L to R: Secretary Hargett, Davidson County Administrator of Elections Jeff Roberts, Montgomery County Administrator of Elections Elizabeth Black, Moore County Administrator of Elections Jim Sanders and Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins
Wed, May 10 2017
Secretary of State Tre Hargett would like to congratulate three administrators of elections who passed the state certification exam Tuesday, May 2, 2017.
Old TSLA Building
Tue, May 9 2017
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is awarding more than $337,000 in library technology training grants to 45 public libraries across the state. The grants will provide libraries in the Tennessee Regional Library System state funding for new laptops, software and technology
Statehood Banner
Wed, May 3 2017
When Tennessee became a state June 1, 1796, only about 77,000 people lived here. Tennessee was the country's 16th state and the first to be created from territory that had been under federal jurisdiction. Since its humble beginnings, Tennessee has become home to millions of
Family register made by Elizabeth Jane Hunter of Knox Co. in 1836
Mon, Apr 17 2017
Documents made with pen and paper aren't the only important records of Tennessee history. In some cases, the stories of the state's early days are stitched together in embroidered cloth patches known as samplers. On May 6, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free
Andrew Jackson Regiment
Wed, Apr 12 2017
He was the first Tennessean to serve as president of the United States – and his legacy remains hotly debated to this day. Andrew Jackson was a larger-than-life figure in American politics, a war hero who rode a wave of populism into the White House. Yet the soldier-turned
History Day
Mon, Apr 10 2017
Seventy-three students qualified to represent Tennessee at National History Day later this summer. Those students placed first or second in their categories at Tennessee History Day held in Nashville on Saturday. History Day is a competition in which high school and middle school
History Day
Wed, Apr 5 2017
Following months of research and competitions at the local and district levels, more than 300 students from across the state will present their projects at the annual Tennessee History Day competition in downtown Nashville Saturday. The competition allows students to showcase
Woman playing with child with crafts
Tue, Apr 4 2017
Story time is a popular tradition at public libraries throughout the country, but story time events at the Tennessee State Library and Archives have a special twist: instead of performing with groups of eager children crowded at her feet, the librarian administering the program
WW1 Infantry Members
Tue, Mar 28 2017
The United States’ entry into World War I led to tragedy for the West family from the East Tennessee community of Oliver Springs. Newspapers of the time reported that infantryman and Oliver Springs resident George Edward West carried his dying 17-year-old brother Thomas from a
Drone image of TSLA
Mon, Mar 27 2017
As the legislative session winds down, I am cautiously optimistic that the General Assembly will include funding for a new Tennessee State Library and Archives building in the next state budget. I am optimistic because I have heard from many House and Senate members who support
Marching Red Cross Nurses
Mon, Mar 20 2017
Over a five-year period, World War I ravaged Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa, overturning governments and costing millions of lives. The United States joined the battle on April 6, 1917, eventually mobilizing 130,000 soldiers from Tennessee. Countless other
Artist rendering of The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson
Tue, Mar 7 2017
Born 250 years ago this month, Andrew Jackson remains one of Tennessee's most iconic and controversial political figures. The former United States president is celebrated for his popularity with common folk and his military skills, but reviled for his headstrong temperament and