Neighborhood/Civic Achievement Category Winner 2004

Knox Heritage

In 1974 the wrecking ball was scheduled to take a swing at the historic Bijou Theatre. Fortunately several concerned citizens stepped in to save the day—and the building. These citizens also focused their efforts on the preservation of other historic structures in downtown Knoxville, and eventually became Knox Heritage, Inc. Knox Heritage is dedicated to the preservation of our architecturally or historically significant buildings and places.

Established in 1974 as a non-profit educational corporation, Knox Heritage is chartered by the state of Tennessee and governed by a board of directors representing all areas of our community. Membership in the organization is by annual dues (which are fully tax deductible) and is open to all individuals, businesses, and organizations recognizing the foresight of historical preservation.

Every year during National Preservation Week Knox Heritage releases its list of the most endangered historic buildings and places in Knoxville and Knox County. Knox Heritage invited the public to submit nominations for endangered places and the board of directors determined the final list—The Fragile 15. The list is intended to educate the public and local leaders about the plight of significant historic resources. Often, the endangered properties and open spaces are representative of other endangered parts of our heritage. Knox Heritage is committed to acting as an advocate for the endangered properties they identify each year.

Knox Heritage is also active in the preparation of National Register nominations. The group assists developers with preservation tax credits, and brokered the sale of such credits that enabled the restoration of the Tennessee Theater.

On July 17, Knox Heritage launched its new Summer Suppers series. This fundraiser invites the public to enjoy dinners in historic homes throughout the area. Each supper is sponsored by a group of hosts and features varying themes and menus, from a formal English tea in the historic Village of Concord to "Supper on the Porch" from James Agee's Summer 1925 in historic Fort Sanders.

Knox Heritage in conjunction with the Junior League of Knoxville unveiled a wonderful gift to the community with the first ever Downtown Heritage Marker Tour. Tour goers may board guided trolleys or walk along a self-guided tour of downtown buildings featuring the new heritage markers which display the name and date of each building.

Knox Heritage along with Nine Counties One Vision sponsored a well-attended regional conference this spring called Nine-County Preservation Alliance that provided innovative ideas and inspiration for people and organizations working to save East Tennessee's historic places. The day-long event provided workshops, a luncheon and tours.

Several other projects Knox Heritage is currently working on include the Coalition of Historic Neighborhoods, which is being formed to help historic neighborhoods throughout the city as they deal with many of the same issues. These neighborhoods can share solutions to problems that are typical within older neighborhoods. Inner City Ventures Funds, which purchases and rehabs houses that are extremely deteriorated and negatively affecting neighborhoods, is another on-going project that Knox Heritage provides as a community outreach tool. Additionally, the group is providing technical assistance that will lead to the formation of a regional organization to deal with abandoned and neglected cemeteries. Knox Heritage also sponsors Preservation Network, an open forum held on the second Saturday of every month with topics geared toward the old-house owner.