Tales of Our 250th: A Jonesborough History Variety Show

Join the Jackson Theatre and the McKinney Center for a series of programs celebrating local history and America’s 250th birthday. Tales of Our 250th includes skits, historians, re-enactors, musicians, and much more in a tapestry of Jonesborough stories and community history. These events will run June–October and start at 7:00 pm at The Jackson Theatre, located at 121 W. Main Street in downtown Jonesborough. They are Pay What You Can, but go ahead and reserve your seats at thejacksontheatre.com.

Each evening will include a scene or scenes from the original play The First and Last Town in Tennessee, written by Anne G’Fellers-Mason, which premiered earlier this year at the McKinney Center and was featured in The New York Times. Join Jonesborough historian Paul Fink, portrayed by Tim Herron, as he walks you through the big and small moments that make Jonesborough an important part of the American story.

Programming dates and times are listed below. Acts are subject to change. Each performance will last about 90 minutes.

● June 25th – Historic Preservation in Jonesborough with Dr. William Kennedy and a performance by The Ozone Rangers

● July 23rd – Revolutionary War History featuring re-enactors from Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and a performance by the Watauga Valley Fife and Drum Corps

● August 20th – African American History in Jonesborough with a special performance of the original play Nancy presented by the Heritage Alliance – Student program at 10:00 am

● September 24th – The Lost State of Franklin with a presentation by Dr. William Hardy from MTSU and the stories behind the Battle of the State of Franklin with Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

● October 22nd – Civil War History in Northeast TN with Dr. Tom Lee from ETSU and a performance by the 52nd Regimental String Band. – Student program at 10:00 am

Special student performances for school groups will take place on August 20th and October 22nd at 10:00 am. Student tickets are $5 and include a popcorn snack pack. For more information, contact [email protected]

This programming is supported in part by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and the Historic Jonesborough Arts Foundation.

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About The Jackson Theatre: The Jackson Theatre is a fully restored theatre in the heart of historic downtown Jonesborough. Serving as a vibrant hub for the arts, it now operates as a music venue, theater, and film house, bringing entertainment and culture to the community again. For tickets and more information, visit thejacksontheatre.com or follow us on social media @thejacksontheatre.

Community event in Jonesborough, Washington County, TN 37659.