On Tuesday, June 1st, the State of Tennessee will celebrate 225 years as part of the Union. On June 1st, 1796, the State of Tennessee was admitted as the 16th State in the Union. In Jonesborough on Tuesday, June 1st, the public is invited to a program to commemorate the 225th anniversary and the contributions our town, county, and region attributed to this event, presented in cooperation of several heritage organizations. Washington County is the first county of the State of Tennessee, while Jonesborough is the first town in Tennessee. Also, townsmen William and Matthew Atkinson provided the first state seal in 1802 as Johnson Citian Col. LeRoy Reeves provided the first Tennessee State Flag with the three star design in 1905. Also, Capt. Jacob Hartsell wrote a poem entitled, “The Brave Volunteer,” giving the state its nickname the Volunteer State during the War of 1812. Tennessee’s first Governor John Sevier lived in Washington County from 1773 to 1796, when he moved to Knoxville to become Governor.
Three proclamations will be delivered as well as a speech by County Historian Judge John L. Kiener will be presented. As well as commemorations for Gov. John Sevier, Col. LeRoy Reeves, Capt. Jacob Hartsell, and William and Matthew Atkinson. Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket to the event.