TTHN Ep 15 - Driving Across Tennessee - Bedford County Edition

TTHN Ep 12a - A Pearl of a Story - Bonus Material: Interview with Bob Keast

It's INTERVIEWSDAY (Interview Tuesday)! As part of the research for Episode 12 – A Pearl of a Story, I had the opportunity back in February 2026 to sit down with Bob Keast at the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum and Farm near Camden, Tennessee for an extended conversation about freshwater pearls, Tennessee rivers, aquaculture, the TVA, tourism, and the remarkable history of one of Tennessee’s most unusual industries. This conversation goes far beyond pearls themselves. We discuss: • the history of the Tennessee River pearl industry • John and Chessy Latendresse • the rise of cultured pearls in America • how Tennessee mussels became critical to the global pearl trade • the impact of TVA dams on freshwater mussels • the Tennessee River system itself • the only freshwater pearl farm in North America • and the continuing legacy of the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum and Farm. Bob also shares stories involving: • National Geographic • Barbara Walters and ABC’s 20/20 • Elizabeth Taylor’s famous pearl necklace • Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan • and how a little-known Tennessee river industry quietly became connected to the worldwide pearl market. Part of this interview informed Episode 12 itself, but the full conversation covers far more ground than could fit into the final episode. If you enjoyed A Pearl of a Story, I think you’ll really enjoy this deeper dive into one of Tennessee’s strangest and most fascinating hidden industries. 🧢 Merch: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch [https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch] 🎧 Check out our sister podcast — Dauphin Island Diaries: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/podcasts/did [https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/podcasts/did] 📘 Follow The Tennessee History Nerd: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/] Love what you're hearing? Hate what you're hearing? Either way, we'd love to hear what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589833/fan_mail/new] Thanks for listening!  Please check out our other episodes! Advertise with us!  John.summers@summersmediaenterprises.com Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries Check out merchandise from The Tennessee History Nerd.   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

TTHN Ep 15 - Driving Across Tennessee - Bedford County Edition

Bedford County is a county of crossroads. Formed in 1807 from the southern portion of Rutherford County and named for Revolutionary War veteran and early Tennessee pioneer Thomas Bedford, the county sits at the intersection of some of the most important transportation corridors in Middle Tennessee. Long before railroads crossed the region, the Warrior's Path passed through what would become Bedford County, carrying Native American travelers, traders, and warriors through the area. Later came the railroad, and with it communities like Wartrace, Bell Buckle, and Normandy. Along those routes came people whose stories helped shape both Tennessee and the nation. Andrew Jackson speculated in thousands of acres of land here during Tennessee's frontier era. Isaac Shelby, the Revolutionary War hero for whom Shelbyville was named, helped shape the early history of both Tennessee and Kentucky. During the Civil War, Bedford County became the scene of significant action during the Tullahoma Campaign, including the Battle of Shelbyville and the fighting at nearby Liberty Gap. Shelbyville itself earned the nickname "Little Boston" because of its reputation for Union sympathy during the secession crisis. Yet Bedford County's story extends far beyond war and politics. The county became the cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, producing champions like Strolling Jim and eventually giving rise to the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, one of the largest equestrian events in the world. Bell Buckle became home to the prestigious Webb School. Shelbyville earned the nickname "Pencil City" through the success of Musgrave Pencil Company and other manufacturers. In more recent years, Bedford County became home to Uncle Nearest Distillery, named in honor of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the formerly enslaved master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the craft of making Tennessee whiskey. And then there are the stories that make Bedford County uniquely Bedford County. A town named for a Native American trail.  A county seat known as Little Boston. An alligator named Bedford that somehow found its way into a Tennessee fishing lake. Whiskey, horses, railroads, pencils, governors, and a few surprises along the way. This is the story of Bedford County, Tennessee. Key Sources * Tennessee Encyclopedia * The Historical Marker Database (HMDB) * Tennessee Historical Markers * Official Bedford County Government Website * Official City of Shelbyville Website * VoteArchive.com (1861 Secession Convention and Referendum Returns) * Tennessee History for Kids * Official Website of Uncle Nearest Distillery * Official Website of Jack Daniel's * Official Website of Musgrave Pencil Company * Official Website of The Webb School * Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce * Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration * WPLN article regarding Musgrave Pencil Company * Rutherford County Historical Society blog article "Jefferson: Gone But Not Forgotten" * Everything2.com article regarding Bedford, the Bedford Lake Alligator * On-site research and field observations conducted in Shelbyville, Wartrace, Bell Buckle, Normandy, Unionville, and surrounding areas of Bedford County Credits Hosted by Big John Summers Produced by Summers Media Enterprises Music by Big John Summers Follow & Support Follow The Tennessee History Nerd on Facebook for: • On-location videos • Tennessee history content • Episode updates • Historical insights and research clips 🔗 Links 🧢 Merch: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch [https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/] Check out Dauphin Island Diaries: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/podcasts/did [https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/podcasts/did] Love what you're hearing? Hate what you're hearing? Either way, we'd love to hear what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589833/fan_mail/new] Thanks for listening!  Please check out our other episodes! Advertise with us!  John.summers@summersmediaenterprises.com If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

TTHN Ep 10a - Horror on the Mississippi: The Forgotten Inferno Bonus Material - Interview with Norman Shaw

It's Interviewsday!  On Tuesdays, as I am able and have interview inventory to release, I'm trying to share some of the interviews that we've done previously. This week, we're opening up one of our Patreon interviews for everyone to enjoy. When we released Episode 10, Horror on the Mississippi: The Forgotten Inferno, I had the opportunity to sit down with historian Norman Shaw to discuss one of the deadliest maritime disasters in American history: the explosion of the steamboat Sultana. In this conversation, Norman shares insights into the events leading up to the disaster, the conditions aboard the overcrowded vessel, the challenges of researching the tragedy, and why the story of the Sultana deserves to be remembered more than 160 years later. If you enjoyed Episode 10, this interview provides additional background, context, and perspective from a researcher who has spent years studying the disaster and the people whose lives were forever changed by it. As always, one of our goals at The Tennessee History Nerd is not only to tell great stories, but also to introduce you to the historians, researchers, curators, preservationists, and subject matter experts who help us better understand the past. So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and enjoy this week's free interview release with historian Norman Shaw. Love what you're hearing? Hate what you're hearing? Either way, we'd love to hear what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589833/fan_mail/new] Thanks for listening!  Please check out our other episodes! Advertise with us!  John.summers@summersmediaenterprises.com Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries Check out merchandise from The Tennessee History Nerd.   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

TTHN Ep 14 - The Failed State

The State of Franklin. For four years, it existed in a place somewhere between a territory, a rebellion, and a nation. It had a governor. It had a legislature. It had courts. It levied taxes. It raised a militia. It negotiated treaties. It even petitioned Congress for admission into the United States. And yet today, it survives mostly as a footnote in Tennessee history. To understand Franklin, we have to set aside the way we think about states today. In the 1780s, Americans did not necessarily view a state as a subdivision of a nation. Under the Articles of Confederation, the states were themselves sovereign political entities joined together in a confederation. That distinction helps explain why a group of settlers west of the Appalachian Mountains believed they could create a state of their own. When North Carolina ceded its western lands in 1784, the people living beyond the mountains suddenly found themselves in political limbo. Isolated from the eastern centers of government and accustomed to governing and defending themselves, many concluded that the solution was simple: If no government would govern them, they would create one. What followed was one of the most fascinating political experiments in early American history. In this episode, we examine the North Carolina Cession Act of 1784, the creation of the State of Franklin, the leadership of John Sevier, the opposition of John Tipton, the constitutional debates, the courthouse wars, the Battle of the State of Franklin, and the ultimately unsuccessful effort to secure recognition as America's fourteenth state. Because Franklin was more than a frontier curiosity. It was a test of what the American Revolution had actually created. And although Franklin failed... The men who built it would help create Tennessee. 📚 Sources Fink, Paul M. Various published works and collected research concerning the State of Franklin and early Tennessee history. Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. Museum exhibits, interpretive materials, historical markers, publications, and site research reviewed by author. Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. • Corlew, Robert E. "John Sevier." • West, Carroll Van. "John Tipton." • Toomey, Michael. "State of Franklin." NCPedia. Articles and reference materials relating to the State of Franklin, North Carolina's western cession, and early Tennessee settlement. Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum. Interpretive materials relating to Jonesborough, Franklin, and early statehood history. Williams, Samuel Cole. History of the Lost State of Franklin (1924). Consulted indirectly through later scholarship and cited as a foundational work on the subject. Foster, Dave. Franklin: The Stillborn State and the Sevier/Tipton Political Feud. Consulted as supplemental reference material. Historical Marker Database (HMdb.org). Historical marker texts and supporting documentation relating to Franklin sites and events. McCray, Kelly. Materials consulted during preliminary research and comparison of interpretations. Additional local historical publications, museum materials, historical markers, and reference works reviewed by author. 🎙️ Credits Hosted by Big John Summers Produced by Summers Media Enterprises Music by Big John Summers 📣 Follow & Support Follow The Tennessee History Nerd on Facebook, Instagram, and X for additional content, including on-location videos, historical interpretation, and stories from across Tennessee. Support the show on Patreon for: • Early access to episodes • Ad-free listening • Exclusive bonus content, including full-length interviews 🔗 Links 🎧 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises [https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises] 🧢 Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch [https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch] 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/] Love what you're hearing? Hate what you're hearing? Either way, we'd love to hear what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589833/fan_mail/new] Thanks for listening!  Please check out our other episodes! Advertise with us!  John.summers@summersmediaenterprises.com Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries Check out merchandise from The Tennessee History Nerd.   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

TTHN Ep 5a - The Talking Leaves - Bonus Material: Interview with Charlie Rhodarmer

Director, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum   In this companion interview to Episode 5, The Talking Leaves, we go beyond the narrative and into the details with Charlie Rhodarmer, director of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee. Drawing on his experience and deep familiarity with the site and its history, Charlie provides valuable context, clarifications, and corrections that help sharpen our understanding of Sequoyah’s life and legacy. From the complexities of reconstructing Sequoyah’s story to the challenges of interpreting a life preserved through both oral tradition and limited documentation, this conversation adds depth that can’t be captured in a single episode. This is the kind of perspective you only get by being there—by standing near the place where the story begins and speaking with those who help preserve it. 🎯 What You’ll Hear in This Interview * Clarifications and corrections related to Sequoyah’s life and timeline * The challenges of interpreting historical figures rooted in oral tradition * Insights from the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum’s research and exhibits * Discussion of common misconceptions about Sequoyah * The importance of place-based history in understanding the past * Behind-the-scenes perspective from the museum itself 🧠 Why This Matters Sequoyah’s story is one of the most remarkable in American history—but it is also one of the most complex. This interview highlights the importance of careful interpretation, source awareness, and humility when approaching historical narratives that come to us through multiple and sometimes conflicting accounts. 📍 About the Location This interview is connected to the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, located near the site traditionally associated with Sequoyah’s birthplace along the Little Tennessee River (now part of Tellico Lake). Credits: Hosted by Big John Summers Guest: Charlie Rhodarmer Produced by Summers Media Enterprises Follow & Support: Follow The Tennessee History Nerd on Facebook, Instagram, and X for additional content, including on-location videos and historical insights from around the state of Tennessee as well as other places that bear relevance. Support the show on Patreon for: * Ad-free listening * Exclusive bonus content, including full-length interviews 🔗 Links  🎧 Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises [https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises] 🧢 Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch [https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch] 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/] Love what you're hearing? Hate what you're hearing? Either way, we'd love to hear what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589833/fan_mail/new] Thanks for listening!  Please check out our other episodes! Advertise with us!  John.summers@summersmediaenterprises.com Check out our sister podcast Dauphin Island Diaries Check out merchandise from The Tennessee History Nerd.   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.