Tennessee Folklore Society

03/26/2026

A complete hardcopy run of the Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin, as well as TFS audio recordings, will be housed in the new folklife learning center in Selmer. The McNairy County Visitors and Cultural Center (better known as the Latta) is home to our institutional host organization, Arts in McNairy.

We are excited to report that Arts in McNairy is a proud recipient of a $25,000 Tennessee 250 grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

The award will be used to develop The Tennessee Folklife Learning Center at the Latta in partnership with the Tennessee Folklore Society. The center will create opportunities for student and adult learners to engage with the state’s traditional arts and folk culture. Additions at the Latta will include interactive digital media, display cases housing one of a kind artifacts, a reference desk to browse AiM and TFS folklife holdings, and other resources to familiarize visitors with Tennessee folkways.

Our sincerest thanks to the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and Tennessee State Museum. Stay tuned for more details as the new learning center develops.

03/22/2026

Some TFS members may find this discussion of Country Music in the Upper Cumberland to be of interest.

James E. Akenson Tennessee Tech University (Retired) Cookeville, Tennessee, U.S.A Country Music seems to be the Energizer Bunny. It keeps on running. There is an amazing number of books, articles, blogs, and social media postings about Country Music. When I first started learning about Country Music...

03/12/2026

If you missed this performance at the Tennessee Folklore Society Annual Gathering, you missed something special. This meeting took place at Crossville, TN in November of 2025. Next year's annual gathering is scheduled to take place at the East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville, TN. By-the-way, our meetings are free and open to all. You can count of seeing some of Tennessee's finest traditional artits.
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01/29/2026

The Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound at the Knox County Public Library is pleased to announce "A Celebration of Women in Old-Time Music," a multi-day series of concerts, screenings, talks, and community events spotlighting the remarkable women who have influenced traditional Appalachian and old-time music. The weekend features live performances, archival film, lectures, and a live podcast recording.

This celebration is presented in conjunction with a feature exhibition at the Museum of East Tennessee History, "I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music" curated by the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

Anchored by special guest Alice Gerrard, a pioneering musician and advocate for old-time traditions, the celebration runs March 5–8, 2026, across multiple Knoxville venues. Gerrard will appear on the WDVX Big Plate Special, take the stage at the Bijou Theatre, and discuss her newly published autobiography, Custom Made Woman.

This program is made possible with support from the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities and the Friends of the Library. Many thanks also to the Bijou Theatre, the Laurel Theatre, WDVX and the East Tennessee Historical Society.

More info and schedule in the first comment below.

12/26/2025

This was a long time in the making, and the work of many hands. The full run of Bulletins is a priceless resource, and TFS leadership couldn't be prouder to make it more widely available.

The Tennessee State Library & Archives is excited to announce that all issues of the Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin are now available on Digital Tennessee at https://bit.ly/4pbjBM8!

First published in 1935, the Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin is the official publication of the Tennessee Folklore Society and is the longest continuously published regional folklore journal in the United States.

12/13/2025

A great way to sustain Tennessee traditions.

11/02/2025

Just a few folks who make TFS tick hanging at the 2025 Annual Gathering. What could go wrong with this cast of characters?! Our sincerest thanks to outgoing and outstanding President, Denis Keily, for shepherding the Society through a time of tremendous transition. Big things on the horizon for TFS.

11/01/2025

Come folk with us!

10/25/2025

One week from today! Join us in Crossville, November 1.

10/23/2025

The annual gathering is coming up November 1 in Crossville. Members can now renew and register online at: https://tnfolklore.org/

Y'all come!

10/17/2025

Join us November 1 in beautiful downtown Crossville.