The Knoxville History Project (KHP) will hold its annual luncheon and fundraiser and recognize a local historian for significant contributions to knowledge about the city’s history and culture. The honoree will be Dr. Susan Knowles, an independent curator, art historian and public historian who is recognized as a leading authority on Tennessee marble. In 2013, while at the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU, where Knowles worked for 15 years, she and her team researched and successfully submitted a multiple-property nomination on the marble industry in East Tennessee, and site-specific nominations for two South Knoxville sites (Mead’s Quarry and Ross Marble Quarry), to the National Register of Historic Places. Her doctoral dissertation formed the basis of the 2016 exhibition, “Rock of Ages: East Tennessee’s Marble Industry,” at the East Tennessee History Center, raising the profile of the story of local marble.

There is no “ticket price,” but everyone is encouraged to make a donation to support KHP’s work. Pre-registration through KHP or a table host is required. Contact Paul James, director of publishing and development, at [email protected] or call 865-337-7723 for additional information.