“Then and Now,” a collaboration with East Tennessee State’s Archives of Appalachia, with be presented at Reece Museum from Oct. 1 through January 2020 as part of Johnson City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.
This exhibit explores the history of Johnson City through the use of photographs, written words and soundbites that document the development of the entire Southern Appalachian region. Although Johnson City’s way of life and functionality has changed substantially over the last century, the history of this area stays alive within certain locations, buildings and landmarks.
Attendees of this exhibit can travel back to a time in Johnson City where horse-drawn buggies and streetcars took up the space on roadways.
“You are able to go down a rabbit hole of history on just one street corner,” Reece Museum curator Spenser Brenner said. “It’s truly amazing how well documented Johnson City is.”
The partnership of Reece Museum and Archives of Appalachia forms a direct presentation to public displaying key factors that cultivated this area to be what it is today.
“A big part of our mission within the Archives of Appalachia is to preserve the history and the rich culture of the Appalachian region,” said Ronald Roach, director of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services. “The past of the region is a lot more interesting and diverse than a lot of people think. This is mostly due to stereotypes about Appalachia portrayed throughout the media.”
This exhibit is free and open to the public. Reece Museum and the Archive of Appalachia are open to the public Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“The main goal of this exhibit is to take a look at what a great little city we have here nestled in Appalachia,” Brenner said. “We want visitors to look at how Johnson City has changed, and more importantly, how it hasn’t.”
