The Boones Creek Museum & Opry will host a grand opening event Saturday, May 8, at its new permanent location at 632 Hales Chapel Road, Johnson City.
The historic Keefauver home will host an open house from 1-4 p.m. showcasing the refurbished venue space and featuring heritage exhibits, refreshments, live music, and the premiere of the short film Voices of Boones Creek, a documentary of Tennessee’s first community. The film was made possible in part by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and was produced by Vicki Shell and Anabelle Spears.
Noted Boones Creek artist, Phyllis Shipley will be in from Florida to unveil her painting of Boones Creek, which she has gifted to the Trust. Signed prints will be available.
Starting at 6 p.m., Tim White and Troublesome Hollow will perform a bluegrass fundraising concert outside for the organization’s weekly: Dr. Enuf presents The Boones Creek Opry. More than $1,100 in door prizes will be given away at the concert thanks to First Community Bank, Zaks Home, and Food City of Boones Creek.
The site will soon feature a new barn for Dr. Enuf’s Saturday Night Opry, which is still under construction thanks to generous donations of material and labor by Wolfe Development and Hicks Construction. Kimball Sterling, Auctioneer has graciously donated used of the temporary big tent.
The Boones Creek Museum & Opry features interactive exhibits surrounding visitors with the echoes of Appalachian heritage and instructional programming, immersing participants of all ages in the history, music, and art of the area.
“We want to be the center of sustaining our community’s unique culture, a place where people can enter into and experience our history and become a part of our music and our traditions,” said historian Edward Bowman.
The ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies will be partnering with the new venue, and the final facility will feature lessons and demonstrations of traditional Appalachian music, stories and crafts, and agriculture.
Vice President Vicki Shell summarized the 250 member organization’s feelings, “We are so fortunate to have been deeded the Keefauver homeplace by the City of Johnson City and to have received the financial investment from Washington County. It’s been blessing after blessing from the Lord. We’ve prayed and prayers have been answered, and we’re just thankful.”
