Welcome

The Jefferson County Historical Society  (JCHS) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and safekeeping of the county’s historical structures, documents, artifacts, and heritage. The Society, a continuation of the Restore Our Courthouse and Restore Our County (ROC) efforts, began in 1978 when Restore Our Courthouse as formed by local citizens to save the Jefferson County Courthouse from being destroyed and replaced by a modern building.

For over 40 years, JCHS members and county citizens have worked to ensure that the unique history of the people, places, and events in our county are not lost. It is through the work of people like you that the history of our area from its earliest beginning through today is being preserved for future generations.

Announcements

  • Join Us for an Inspiring Evening!

    The Jefferson County Historical Society invites you to our Spring Meeting on Thursday, April 17th, 2025, at the county courthouse in downtown Dandridge. The event starts at 6:30 PM and is free for everyone.

    Our special guest, retired Air Force Captain Bill Robinson, will share his incredible story in a program titled “Honor Bound, The Longest Rescue”.

    Bill Robinson enlisted into the United States Air Force after graduating high school in 1961. After several assignments within the United States and a year tour in Korea, airmen first class William Robinson was transferred to Thailand to serve with a rescue and recovery unit in the spring of 1965. While serving as a crew chief aboard a US Air Force Rescue helicopter, William A. Robinson was shot down and captured in Ha Tinh Province, North Vietnam on September 20, 1965. After a brief stint at the “Hanoi Hilton,” Robinson endured 2703 days in multiple North Vietnamese prison camps. Including the notorious Briar Patch and various compounds at Cu Loc, known by inmates as the Zoo. No other enlisted man in American military history has been held as a prisoner of war longer than Robinson. For seven and a half years, he faced daily privations and endured the full range of North Vietnam’s torture program.

  • Grateful Nation

    A local movement has been started in coordination with area ROTC and JROTC programs to identify Jefferson County's heroes and having Cards creating for them with the goal of have card decks of Jefferson County Heroes that can be given to local schools and organizations.

    Click Here to Learn More

  • Membership / Board Meetings

    Our quarterly membership meetings are held the 3rd Thursday in January, April, July, and October and is open for all to attend.

     

    Our Board meets 4 times a year at the Shepard's Inn, located in Dandridge. Meetings begin at 2pm. 
    The meeting dates for 2024: 


    November 12

    Want to Become A Member (click here)

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