On May 4, 2026, Dr. John C. McManus, currently at Missouri University of Science and Technology, visited the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War. During his time at the University of Tennessee, Dr. McManus, then a graduate student, worked with Dr. Charles Johnson in the early 1990s, interviewing World War II veterans. Many of […]
On May 4, 2026, the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War director, Dr. Chris Magra, interviewed retired Army Colonel Gerald York. Colonel Gerald York (Ret.) is a U.S. Army veteran and grandson of Alvin C. York, World War I Medal of Honor recipient. Born in 1947, he was raised in Tennessee and commissioned […]
Center Inter, Lily Beall, won first place at UT’s Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium! This is a huge accomplishment! This award comes with a certificate, a medal, and a monetary prize. We at the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War warmly congratulate Lily for her wonderful accomplishment! Lily researches on women who […]
The Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War’s intern, Lily Beall, spoke at the University of Tennessee’s Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium on her work about women who served during World War II. Lily shared her research that women were invaluable to the war effort. For more information on women who served during […]
The Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War won the Public History award from the Society for Military History! This annual award recognizes the contribution of public historians to the field of military history. The Center was selected based on last year’s contributions that included a model of public history practice that emphasized and […]
Dr. Chris Magra, Director for the Center of Tennesseans and War (CSTW), interviewed CSTW volunteer and retired Air Force drone pilot, Dr. Jase Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman began volunteering at the Center last Fall. Dr. Hoffman was a key part of developing the Air Force drone pilot program. His interview, and more to come, offer a […]
On February 21, 2026, Center Director, Dr. Chris Magra, spoke at Knoxville’s Blount Mansion about the 250th Anniversary of the United States and its relationship to Tennessee. Appalachian settlers established independent western governments like the Watauga Association (1772) and the State of Franklin (1784) by applying the principle of popular sovereignty. The Revolutionary War and […]
If you walk through the main entrance of Happy Valley High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee, you will be greeted with a new display to honor the school’s fallen military alumni. The display features 14 fallen service members who graduated from Happy Valley High School. The table and signs were made by students and faculty. Telegrams […]
The Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War supported University of Tennessee, Knoxville veterans by donating food and drink at the Veteran Success Center on campus on Veteran’s Day. The Center also set up materials from our archive to celebrate veterans and their stories from previous eras.
On November 14, 2025, the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War interviewed Air Force General James M. “Mike” Holmes. General James M. “Mike” Holmes is 4-Star General in the United States Air Force. He was born in Knoxville, TN in 1957. His impeccable career covered 4 major combat operations that include Operation Desert […]