Unfortunately, this performance has been canceled due to illness. 

In 1820, Elihu Embree published his newspaper The Emancipator on Main Street, Jonesborough. The seven editionpaper is the first publication dedicated solely to the cause of abolitionism.Embree passed away in December of 1820, and the paper died with him. Eventhough it was short-lived, TheEmancipator had over 2,000 subscribers and its reach went all the way toBoston and Philadelphia. In spite of his abolitionist beliefs, Embree himselfwas an enslaver. Nancy was an enslaved woman owned by Elihu Embree, and herstory will be shared on Saturday, June 24^th at the Embree HouseHistoric Farm in Telford.

Written by Anne G’Fellers-Mason, Executive Director of the HeritageAlliance, “Nancy” follows a year in the woman’s life, from January 1820 whenElihu Embree wrote his will to January 1821 when his will was read before theWashington County court. In his will, Embree tried to free Nancy and her fivechildren, but were his wishes carried out? What was Nancy feeling and thinkingduring this time? The play is based on primary research relying heavily ondocuments from the Washington County Archives. Local actress Ubunibi Afia Shorttakes on the titular role of Nancy. “We premiered Nancy’s story in 2021 at theEmbree House Historic Farm, so we’re excited to be bringing the play back tothese hallowed grounds,” says Mason. The play is the recipient of an Award ofExcellence from the Tennessee Association of Museums and a History in the MediaAward from the East Tennessee Historical Society.  

Two performances will be held on June 24^th with showings at2:00 pm and 6:30 pm. The show will take place inside the open air Sarah SevierMemorial Chapel at the Embree House in Telford and will last about an hour. AQ&A session and a chance to tour parts of the Embree House will follow eachperformance. Tickets are $15.00 and proceeds from ticket sales will help fundthe educational programs of the Heritage Alliance. You can purchase tickets throughJonesborough’s online system at jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling the Visitor’s Center at423-753-1010. Seating is limited, so make sure you purchase your tickets inadvance.

This performance isa part of the celebration of Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day, a celebration ofthe day that word of emancipation finallyreached a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.The Heritage Alliance hopes you will join us as we remember Nancy and tell herstory.   

The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to the preservation of thearchitectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region and to providingeducational experiences related to history and heritage for a wide range ofaudiences. For more information, visit our website at heritageall.org orcall our office at 423-753-9580.