Blount Mansion: The Presidential Visits to Knoxville

Blount Mansion will host Dr. Michael E. Woods, professor of history and director of the Andrew Jackson Papers at the University of Tennessee. He studies political and cultural history of the 19th century United States, and while roughly half of all U.S. presidents have visited Knoxville while in office, the city loomed especially large in presidential travel itineraries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Woods will explore visits by Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison and Theodore Roosevelt who were eager to promote post-Civil War reconciliation, strengthen the Republican Party in the South or pursue a third-party bid for the White House.

The speaking event will be at Blount Mansion Visitors Center. Limited free parking is available onsite. A $5 donation is suggested at the door; cash and cards accepted. RSVP to [email protected].