The East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville is opening its doors to the youngest visitors with a new series called Little History Lessons. Designed for children roughly ages 1‑5, the twice‑monthly program uses storytelling, crafts and imaginative play to make local history accessible to families.
Program details
Program leader Sequoia Conkling says the goal is to introduce preschool‑age children to what a museum is and to the history of East Tennessee. “They get to come into the museum, experience our galleries and our exhibits, but then really feel like this space is their own,” she explained.
Conkling notes that many parents find museums intimidating for young kids. By creating a welcoming environment where children can ask questions, the center hopes to change that perception and foster early curiosity about the community’s past.
First lesson: railroads
The inaugural session focused on railroads, a subject Conkling chose for its central role in Knoxville’s growth and its natural appeal to children. “Every little kid loves trains,” she said, adding that the railroad was “so central to Knoxville’s growth and to East Tennessee’s growth.”
Children listened to a story about the transcontinental railroad, learned basic facts about how trains work, and then received pretend train tickets for an imagined journey through the Appalachian Mountains. A projected video gave them a view from a moving train, and they later crafted miniature trains from toilet‑paper rolls.
Beyond trains
Future lessons will expand to topics such as farming and coal mining, helping kids discover the industries and traditions that shaped the region. Conkling hopes participants will see the connections between history, science and everyday life, saying she wants to “foster that curiosity about not only history, but then science and how things work, and how all of these kind of things interact together.”
The program runs twice a month on Mondays, typically beginning around 10:30 a.m. While the primary audience is preschoolers, siblings of any age are welcome, and many families return for multiple sessions, often staying with the program from infancy through kindergarten.
Community impact
Conkling says the most rewarding part of Little History Lessons is watching children grow in confidence and curiosity as they become familiar with the museum. “You never know what they’re going to hit you with,” she laughs, recalling the surprising questions that arise during sessions.
By making the museum feel like a space for everyone—including its smallest visitors—the East Tennessee History Center hopes to nurture a lifelong love of learning and a deeper appreciation for Knoxville’s rich heritage.
For schedules and registration, families can visit the East Tennessee Historical Society website or contact the museum directly.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
