Blue Ridge Country July/August 2020 - 54

By ANGELA MINOR

;; Our favorite must-see places, to-do events, best-of experiences in and around the Blue Ridge of east Tennessee. Items grouped
loosely into increasing activity levels. See = relaxed. Do = some walking/standing required. Play = option for longer activity.
;; *Time of year key: Spring (Sp) Summer (Su) Fall (F) Winter (W) Year-round (YR)

SEE
Step back in time with a ride on
the renovated historic Kingsport
Carousel.

;;Skillville. (JOHNSON CITY,
TN). Encourage your inner artist
in this community workshop and
"makerspace." Enroll in private
classes, kid classes, group
events or become a member
to learn woodworking, pottery,
stained glass, painting and
more. YR. (skillvillejc.com)
;;Unicoi

County Heritage
Museum / Clinchfield
Railroad Museum. (ERWIN,

TN). Walk through history in

this unique presentation of
themed rooms in the early 20th
Century heritage museum:
pantry, schoolhouse and others
tell the story of this county. For
railroadiana, step next door to
the train depot museum. YR.
(529 Federal Hatchery Road)
;;Exchange Place. (SULLIVAN
COUNTY, TN). Learn about
life in the mid-19th Century
at this living history farm.
Stroll amongst the homes,
barns, kitchen and even a
blacksmith forge. It is a working
farmstead and Minor Breeds
Conservancy for animals. Sp-F.
(exchangeplace.info)
;;Johnson County Center
for the Arts. (MOUNTAIN CITY,

TN). Visit this comprehensive

art center to either participate

54

BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

THE KINGSPORT CAROUSEL | JEFFREY STONER PHOTOGRAPHY

in painting, filmmaking or
creative writing classes, listen
to live "pickin' on the porch" or
purchase authentic Appalachian
arts and crafts. Wednesday Saturday. YR. (jocoartcenter.
org)
;;Tennessee

Newspaper
and Printing Museum.

(ROGERSVILLE, TN). Watch an

original antique printing press
in action at the "cradle of
Tennessee journalism." State's
first newspaper was printed here
in 1791. Tuesday-Thursday YR.
(415 South Depot St.)
;;Rotherwood

Mansion.

(KINGSPORT, TN). If haunted

houses are for you, this is a
"must see" (drive-by only). With
tantalizing tales, this enormous
house is one of the last
remaining plantation structures
in the Tri-Cities. May open again
for tours. Until then, there are
some good videos online. (3401

Netherland Inn Rd.)
;;Encore

Theatrical
Company. (MORRISTOWN,
TN). Attend award-winning

main stage productions at this
regional theatre. With six to
eight shows per year, schedule
an evening of live entertainment
with the whole family. YR.
(encoretheatricalcompany.com)
;;City

Garage Car
Museum. (GREENEVILLE, TN).

Gearhead destination! Forty cars
and trucks (all carefully restored)
are on display, ranging from a
1901 Olds to a 2006 Bentley
- and everything in between.
Wednesday - Saturday YR.
(citygaragecarmuseum.com)
;;Volunteer

Speedway.

(HAWKINS COUNTY, TN). Relive the

early days of dirt track races at
this quarter-mile speedway with
a 32-degree bank. "The Gap"
opened in 1974, and is called

"the world's fastest dirt track."
Sp-F. (volunteerspeedway.com)
;;International

Storytelling Center.

(JONESBOROUGH, TN). Visit

Tennessee's oldest town and
hear live stories from renowned
guest speakers. Visit the historic
Chester Inn, and browse the gift
shop. YR. (storytellingcenter.net)
;;President Andrew
Johnson Museum &
Library. (GREENEVILLE, TN).

Browse exhibits and personal
library of the 17th President
at the state's oldest college
(established 1794). While in
the area, stop by the visitor
complex, homestead and
cemetery to learn about
the first family propelled to
leadership following Lincoln's
assassination. YR. (ajmuseum.
tusculum.edu - and - nps.gov/
anjo/index.htm) For more activity
and history, take the "Walk
http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2020
