The Gray Fossil Site is in Washington County, near the community of Gray, Tennessee. It preserves the remains of a wooded pond ecosystem that existed about 4.5 to 5 million years ago, in the early Pliocene. Anyone interested in Earth’s history can encounter a landscape that existed long before today’s cities and historic buildings.

The Gray Fossil Site Paleontology Hall brings this past to life with replicas of extinct animals, computer-based games, and an artificial excavation site. This offers several ways to engage with paleontology: replicas depict extinct animals, while the games and excavation site focus on discovering and examining them.

Town History and Storytelling Traditions

In Jonesborough, the Chester Inn is the oldest timber-frame building in the historic downtown commercial district. The building has been restored and furnished in the style of the 1890s. The Chester Inn Museum documents the history of Jonesborough from its founding in 1779 to the present day. Thus, one historic site brings together a single building and a broader look at the town’s history.

The International Storytelling Center focuses on a different way of sharing the past. Its campus was the first facility devoted exclusively to the ancient tradition of storytelling. The Teller-in-Residence program offers live storytelling events in Historic Jonesborough from May through October. Unlike a focus on buildings and historical periods, this centers on oral storytelling as a cultural tradition.

The Old Jonesborough Cemetery is another place to discover local history: tours are offered on the first and third Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., from June through the first weekend in October. For students, the Oak Hill School Heritage Education Program offers a school day as it was in 1892; tours are available by appointment.

Museums Between Regional History and Contemporary Culture

The Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site presents the history of Northeast Tennessee from early settlement through the Civil War and includes eleven historic buildings. The Reece Museum offers a different thematic perspective: it houses about 22,000 artifacts relating to the past as well as contemporary Appalachian art and culture. Together, these sites range from the history of a region and its historic buildings to art and culture, past and present.

Trails, Landscapes, and Seasonal Markets

Persimmon Ridge Park covers 130 acres and offers biking and hiking trails, as well as a section of the Lost State Scenic Walkway. The walkway stretches about four miles from Mill Spring Park in downtown Jonesborough to Golden Oak Park. These details describe different ways to explore the outdoors: a park with trails and a named walkway with specified endpoints.

The Jonesborough Farmers Market is also part of the local calendar. From May through October, it takes place from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind the courthouse. The winter market is scheduled for different days and at a different location: the first Saturday in November and December, and the third Saturday of each month from January through April, from 9 a.m. to noon in front of Boone Street Market. Since cemetery tours, storytelling events, and markets take place during specific periods or on particular dates, check the exact dates before your trip.

Railroad History in Johnson City

The Johnson City Railroad Experience explores railroad history through interactive, hands-on exhibits. It also includes an activity room for children, monthly Heritage Day events, and other special programs. These different offerings provide several ways to engage with the subject: the exhibits focus on railroad history, while events and special programs offer additional activities.

Washington County offers a range of historical perspectives: from the remains of an ecosystem millions of years old to the history of Jonesborough and storytelling traditions, as well as regional museums, scenic trails, and railroad history. Which stops interest you most depends on whether you want to focus on Earth’s history, historic buildings, art and culture, or outdoor trails.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Johnson City, Jonesborough, Dickson County, Sumner County, Dekalb, Blount County, Tipton, Polk County.

For the main travel overview: Tennessee.