There is a lot of Knoxville’s history stored in the timbers of the Fort, which comprises of the founders residence and kitchen and six other cabins surrounded by a stockade wall of upright stakes. Located at the corner of Hill Avenue and Hall of Fame Drive, the Fort is the perfect place to teach our children about life in the days of our forefathers, but more importantly to give them a chance to learn the history of their city and state which most are not being taught in school today.

The Fort is now undergoing some difficult times, much as are most other Historical Non-Profits. Since a high in 2000, visitation has been on the decline or at least steady in most years. Costs associated with building maintenance is slowly eating away at financial reserves intended for operations and the difficult economic times have caused a reduction in contributions. While there are several urgent maintenance expenditures to be made at the Fort, the most important at the moment are the roofs of several of the buildings. In an effort to raise funds to cover the cost of the new roofs, the Fort is launching its, “Buy A Shingle Campaign” this month. Shingles may be purchased singularly or in lots of 20 or more as follows:

Knoxville Birthplace Donors – Individual Shingles @ $35 each; Hugh Lawson White Statesman Donors – A Five Shingle Set, $150; The Tennessee Williams Literary Circle Donors – A Ten Shingle Set, $300; and The James White Guardian Donors – Twenty Shingles in the Set, $600. Donors wishing to purchase a larger set of Shingles are also encouraged to contact the Fort for more information. All donors will be acknowledged through a listing of names on a bronze plaque to be installed at the Fort. The Fort is a 501-(c)-3 non-profit corporation.

For more information please contact Sam Maynard, Executive Director of James White’s Fort at: (865) 525–6514 or at jameswhitefort@aol.com.