December 98
News Archives

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Tennessee may change
Native American requirements
Nashville-The Tennessee Commission on Indian affairs is undergoing some changes that are creating some controversy among former members. The commission’s new members are debating whether or not to change the definition of who is considered a Native American. The current rule in Tennessee is that a person must be a member of a federally recognized tribe or being a direct descendant of someone who was recognized. Many native American representatives are claiming the state could find itself in violation of the federal Indian self-determination Act passed in the early 1970s under then-President Richard Nixon.
   Three opponents of expanded recognition resigned from the commission earlier this year, following the dismissal of Director Lavinia Butler. She was replaced by Clayton Prest of Montgomery County.
   “We figured this would start when the Cherokee opened casinos and finally started making some money,” said one Native American representative. “There are some federal benefits that states have been trying to get their hands on for years and expanding the definition of just who is an Indian is one way of doing it. It is great people recognize and are proud of their Indian ancestry, but, if a person is one eighth Indian, that means they are seven eighths something else. Being part Native American does not make someone a Native American. This is something that needs to be watched carefully.”
   The Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs had rejected the proposal in the past, but, with Governor Sundquist’s new appointments to the board, Native American representatives say it could pass without problems.

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Tennessee’s Oldest Inn to close
Rogersville-The oldest continuously operating Inn in Tennessee says it will have to close because of falling profits. The Hale-Springs Inn in Rogersville announced it will be closing its doors at the end of this year after 174 years of operation. The Inn, which offered lodging to Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson, has been a centerpiece of Rogersville’s historic district. The Inn was known for its dining and numerous antiques, which will remain should a new buyer pick it up.
   Hale-Springs Inn owner/operator Carl Netherland-Brown blamed declining profits is the reason he has had to put the Inn up for sale. He says there was such a small margin of profit that he couldn’t carry it any longer. New developments, including a Hotel, have hurt the Inn’s business. “Its a shame not to have it operating,” said Brown. “It’s such a beautiful treasure in Rogersville.”

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The Battle of Stones River continues


Murfreesboro-Some Tennessee historians and preservationists are starting to call for an independent investigation of Murfreesboro city officials over the recent problems around Stones River National Military Park. Preservationists cite that numerous city officials, who are currently trying to zone the land commercial, also hold personal interests in the real estate and that poses a conflict of interest. Stones River National Park is trying to acquire a small part of the real estate that was the actual battlefield where over 80,000 Union and Confederate soldiers fought for control of Nashville.
   The real estate has been traditionally used as farmland, but now Murfreesboro is saying it wants to zone the land for commercial development. According to reports, National Park officials say they have been trying to work with landowners, but are worried that some of them are being improperly influenced.
   Murfreesboro officials won’t talk about the issue and representatives are using the age-old “outsider” arguments to deal with historic preservationists who are wanting to see the battlefield properly saved from becoming a parking lot for a shopping mall.
   “We’ve tried to talk sense to these people and show them how much Murfreesboro can make by keeping this as a tourist attraction,” said Jerry Lessenberry. “This was one of the major battles of the War Between the States in Tennessee and heritage tourism is a multi-million dollar industry. This is why Virginia beats us every year for heritage tourist dollars. Its just not right that someone with a financial interest in the property can also sit on the governing board that determines its fate.”

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TCWPA starts membership drive
Nashville-In a related story, the Tennessee Civil war Preservation Association is up and running with a new logo and brochure that is hoped will attract members to the newly formed organization. The cost of membership is $20- a penny for every recognized battlefield in Tennessee. Membership is open to anyone and is encouraged. The TCWPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields. For more information, you can contact us at ed@tennesseehistory.com or by mail at TCWPA, P.O. Box 293029, Nashville, TN 37229-3029.

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Changes being made at
President Andrew Johnson Historic Site
Greeneville-The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville is having to undergo some changes in its literature and signs. Following the congressional impeachment of President Bill Clinton, Park officials could no longer claim Johnson was the only U.S. President in history that was impeached. Some signs are already marked through and officials say someone holding old literature from the site may find a collectors value in it in the years to come. President Johnson was impeached in 1868 for his refusal to accept the Reconstruction Acts and for firing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton following congressional passage of the Office Tenure Act - claiming the law was unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court later agreed with Johnson and declared the law unconstitutional. Johnson escaped removal from office by one vote in the Senate.
   Park Officials are happy with the new found attention on Johnson, but some have expressed surprise at the lack of knowledge exhibited by news reporters. Local historian David Miller, who fielded many calls from news organizations, found it amusing that some reporters seemed surprised to discover Johnson had succeeded Lincoln to the Presidency and that others were trying to find out the name of the independent counsel who brought the charges against him.
   “It is definitely a case for strengthening history standards in school,” said Miller.

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Y2K Bug could hurt historical databases
Nashville-With the numbers of historical archives going on line in Tennessee, we thought you might want to know that Tennessee has a web site up on how to deal with the Y2K bug that seems to be all the rage these days. Many computer experts believe that a computers inability to read the year 2000 will shut down systems everywhere and cause Armageddon-like results. We will keep you up to date with the latest news on the subject as it pertains to historical databases. Your best bet online now is to go to http://www.state.tn.us/finance/oir/y2k/webindex.html

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U.T. library begins massive collection
on Smoky Mountains
Knoxville-The University of Tennessee has started a multi-year project that will create the first ever library dedicated entirely to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
   U.T. Dean of Libraries Paula Kaufman says the new project will make the University the national center for published information and other materials on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “The library decided it was our responsibility to build and maintain a collection that contains as much information as we can get about all aspects of the Smokies,” said Kaufman. “As we were working on another project about the Smokies, we discovered there was no one single place you could go to find out about all aspects of the Smokies.”
   The project has collected diaries, letters, and unpublished materials for the collection . Officials say it will take years to collect all the material and welcome anyone with relevant information to contact them.

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Shiloh National Park to begin repairs

Road before erosion

Road's current condition

Savannah-Things are beginning to start moving at Shiloh National Military Park as officials work to repair the causeway and Mississippian Mound that was being destroyed by erosion caused by the Tennessee River. If everything goes well, dirt could start turning early next year and work get underway. Park supporters are pleased something is going to finally be done that will preserve one of the richest historical sections of the Park.

Shiloh's Mississippian Mounds

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Sycamore Shoals State Park hosts reenactment

Elizabethton-If you want to brave some Winter weather in upper East Tennessee, Sycamore Shoals State Park will be hosting a French and Indian War reenactment at the Park January 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hardin’s Rangers will be doing a “Garrison weekend” and will feature living history reenactments as well as demonstrations. There is no admission charged to see the 1750s era encampment. For more information, you can contact Herb Roberts at (423) 543-5808.

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Shop Talk
Gatlinburg-Tennessee Online is finally caught up with the numerous e-mails we have received and want to thank you all for the incredible support. In addition, if you know of something we need to cover, please let us know. We have added some new links on the classroom for teachers and a great link at www.FloridaHistory.com is posted that should help with the numerous requests we get for information on Hernando De Soto’s travels in Tennessee. Once again thanks for the support, especially the teachers and professors who keep us up-to-date on the state's preservation battles. If we can ever be of service, please let us know.

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