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Historic Images Photograph Collection. BHA'S Carolyn and Roy Williams Collection of Historic Photographs contains hundreds of images available for purchase. Images can be purchased as jpgs, on CD, via Dropbox, emailed, or as black and white 8x10 prints on archival matte photo paper. Images are created from original old negatives or photographs and are not perfect. The image price for individual or private use is $20 each. For commercial or business use prices, or to ask about availability of a particular image or theme, please contact BHA at BristolTNVA@aol.com for pricing. Historic People . Historic Markers . Historic Photos . Load More CONTACT US!

Contact Us . ADDRESS P.O. Box 204 Bristol, Tennessee 37621 EMAIL BristolTNVA@aol.com Submit DONATE! Donate to the Bristol Historical Association today! DONATE CONTACT US!

Robert Preston Home The History . The Robert Preston house at Walnut Grove Plantation, constructed circa 1790, is the oldest frame house in Washington County, Virginia. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Robert Preston, born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1750, immigrated to Virginia in 1773. Preston apprenticed as a surveyor under his cousin, William Preston of Smithfield Plantation, in what is now Montgomery County, Virginia. Robert Preston moved to Washington County, Virginia in 1779. Granted a surveyor’s bond signed by then-Governor Thomas Jefferson in 1780, Robert Preston became the first surveyor in Washington County, Virginia. In the summer of 1780, Robert Preston married Margaret Rhea and acquired 800 acres of what is now part of Bristol, Virginia. He named the tract of land Walnut Grove. A Department of Historic Resources highway marker along Lee Highway documents “William Clark, of Lewis and Clark, breakfasted at the home of Preston’s son John at Walnut Grove in 1809.” A Lewis and Clark Portrait Sign on Lee Highway documents the property’s Lewis and Clark connection. The property is featured as the first stop on the Virginia Lewis and Clar Legacy Trail at https://valewisandclarklegacytrail.org/along-the-trail/ . For more information contact: Jan Rainero Email: janrainero@hotmail.com Isabelle Ladd Email: isladd@gmail.com A! Magazine for the Arts Article Walnut Grove is one of oldest homes in Washington County Read Article WATCH NOW Learn More! Click the link below to download the Robert Preston House pamphlet and learn more about this historical site. Note: Significantly more funds have been invested in the Robert Preston House project since the publication of the pamphlet. As of January 12th, 2022, the Robert Preston House has received $400,000 in donations and gifts. Also, thanks to a generous supporter, a right of way has been donated which will greatly facilitate entrance to this historic property. Download Now ACT NOW! Donate to the Bristol Historical Association today! DONATE CONTACT US!

Photo Gallery Historic Pictures . Load More Modern Pictures . Load More Historic Markers . Load More Historic Figures . RJ Reynolds Joseph Anderson Rev James King COL James King AD Reynolds Margaret Anderson Caldwell CONTACT US!

BRISTOL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Bristol Historical Association Receives Virginia Humanities Grant The Bristol Historical Association recently received a Virginia Humanities grant, administered by UVA Wise, in the amount of $5,000.00. The grant will be used to acquire old surveying equipment and other items relevant to this area in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as cases and frames in which to display both the objects purchased as well as artifacts discovered on the property that can be dated throughout the time the property was occupied by the Preston family, including a 1767 Irish coin. The exhibits will be available for public viewing at BHA's office on Sixth Street until they are transferred to the Robert Preston House near Exit 7 once the house is open for public visitors. The Bristol Historical Association is nearing completion of a years-long restoration project for the Robert Preston house. Robert Preston was an important figure in the settlement and development of this area. He was the first surveyor in Washington County, Virginia, having received his commission from then governor Thomas Jefferson. The Bristol Historical Association is honored to be able to use these funds to help preserve history important to our area. Historic Sites . History is told through the buildings and homes in a city. The Bristol Historical Association promotes an interest in the history of Bristol by designating properties with historical significance. A generous contribution from Mr. William W. “Bud” Walling financed the cost of the first twenty-five plaques. Much credit is due to the late Mr Walling for his vital part in the promotion of the Landmark Designation program. Are you interested in applying for a Landmark Marker for your historical building? If so, please complete the Historical Landmark Marker Application Form. THE ROBERT PRESTON HOME Learn More FORD HOUSE Learn More E.W. KING HOUSE Learn More I.C. FOWLER HOUSE Learn More DONATE! Donate to the Bristol Historical Association today! DONATE CONTACT US!

King-Lancaster-McCoy Mitchell House LEARN MORE Anchor 1 The History . I The King – Lancaster – McCoy – Mitchell House is the most historic house in Bristol, Virginia. The handmade brick residence was built 1816-1820 by Colonel James King on the highest point of his property overlooking the meadows where he raised cattle. The settlement was once known as “King’s Meadows” before it took the name of Bristol nearly half a century later. Colonel James King and his son, the Reverend James King, were key figures in the founding and development of Bristol. They contributed to the business world through the iron business and the commerce of buying and selling. The Reverend James King gifted the land needed to create Bristol’s King University and served as pastor for two early Presbyterian churches. The King family occupied the house until 1853. President Andrew Jackson was a frequent visitor to the house and was escorted to Washington for his inauguration by William King. The house has watched a city grow up around it. Although it was located close to downtown, the property was not actually included inside the town limits when Goodson (Bristol) was incorporated in 1856. The residence housed the Sapling Grove post office from 1839-1853, and it was a stopping point for stagecoaches traveling from Abingdon to Blountville from 1839-1856. Mountain View High School, which later became Sullins College, began in the house in 1869. In 1991, the Bristol Historical Association initiated a study to determine the oldest section of the home, the remainder of Colonel James King’s original dwelling. An elaborate map of Washington County, drawn by John Wood in 1820, marks the presence of the house with a small square and the legend “Colonel James King’s brick house.” Analysis by the Department of Historic Resources in Richmond, Virginia, revealed that the original structure consisted of a two-room plan, divided by a central winding stair case leading to two bedrooms upstairs. The formal entrance was originally on the north elevation. The central portion is presumed to be part of the original structure. The rear wing housing the kitchen is believed to have been added shortly after the original structure was constructed. Several changes to the house were made by subsequent owners. In 1881, John J. Lancaster, a prominent wealthy banker of New York City, remodeled it for his mother and two maiden sisters as a gift. This work was done by prominent Bristol builder John Crowell. Crowell built the north half of the house in the late summer and autumn of 1881. In 1891, H.E. McCoy, the founder of Bristol’s Dominion National Bank, built a major addition to the house for a new living room entrance hall and portico redirecting the formal entrance to the east elevation. The addition completed an ingenious composition by connecting an identical two-story gabled façade1820 structure with a flat roofed “hyphen” which housed the bathroom above and formal entry hall below. The house was purchased by Joseph D. Mitchell in 1899. Mitchell had arrived in Bristol in 1882, with only two dollars in his pocket, and he boarded at the house with Mrs. Thomas Lancaster. She put him in what is now the dining room, and when he later became wealthy, he confessed that on the first night he spent there, he vowed he would someday own the grand house on the hill overlooking the town. About nineteen years later, his dream came true. In 1903, Mitchell added a kitchen wing that is distinguished only by the ornate Carpenter Gothic wood columns. The house belonged to the Mitchell family for over 100 years. Mitchell’s daughter, Margaret, was born in the home in 1901 and lived there for 99 of her 102 years. Margaret willed the house and its contents to King College (now King University). The property has now been restored as the private residence of Daniel and Monica Shew. The King – Lancaster – McCoy – Mitchell house, located two blocks from State Street at 54 King Street, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 and included in the Solar Hill Historic District in 2001. ACT NOW! Donate to the Bristol Historical Association today! DONATE CONTACT US!

BHA Our History In April 1979, a group of nine women devoted to preserving the history of Bristol VA/TN met to organize The Bristol Historical Association. The group consisted of Joyce Kistner, president; Christine Caldwell, Faith Dillow Esposito, Mary Geiger, Ann Greear, Tina Hitt, Martha Marshall, Janice Martin, and Margaret Mitchell. They chose an image from a 1930s button showing the Bristol sign and a view of State Street as the logo for the Association. Since that beginning, the Bristol Historical Association has been dedicated to Identifying, Preserving, Interpreting, and Presenting the history of Bristol. In 1988, a group called the Bristol Preservation Society launched a program to mark structures and sites throughout Bristol which would date back seventy-five years or more. BHA’s late historian and noted author of local history, V .N. (Bud) Phillips, initiated a search for sites which would qualify for designation and receive a plaque. The first four markers placed were at 412 Sixth Street, the Billy Wood house on the corner of Locust and Sixth Streets, East Hill Cemetery, and the Tennessee Ernie Ford House at 1223 Anderson Street. In 1999, the Bristol Preservation Society and the Bristol Historical Association merged. During Bristol’s Centennial Celebration, the city of Bristol, Virginia, and Bristol Historical Association jointly placed markers at important historic locations: the Bristol Virginia Courthouse; two grave sites in East Hill Cemetery (those of Col. Samuel E. Goodson, founder of Bristol, VA, and Evan Shelby); placed black iron chains around the graves of Col. James King and others in Ordway Cemetery; and installed a marker at the historic Bristol Sign. When Michael Ainslie, then president of The National Trust for Historic Preservation, visited Bristol to present a program for BHA and a workshop for over 100 business people in 1982, he stated: “The Bristol Sign should stand as the centerpiece of downtown revitalization effort.” It is thought that his advocacy of revitalizing economic development through historic preservation led to a rebirth of the city - - business as well as residential areas. Both sides of town have several individual properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To be listed, the location must be historically or architecturally significant. BHA was successful in nominating three of them, the King-Lancaster-McCoy-Mitchell House, the Robert Preston House, and the Bristol Sign. Bristol Historical Association has saved three historic homes from demolition: the I.C. Fowler Home, built in 1867, the oldest standing structure from the original town limits of Goodson (later Bristol, VA); the E.W. King House in Bristol, TN; and the Robert Preston House, one of the oldest homes in Washington County which the association owns and is in the process of restoring. In addition, the association restored and still owns the Birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford. Once history is preserved, it must be interpreted and presented. To accomplish this, Bristol Historical Association each year takes a program to fourth grade classes in Bristol’s public and private schools which is not only educational but fun for the children. Sometimes the students dress in historic costumes portraying Bristol and pioneer people of interest, and artifacts are exhibited and discussed. Pictures and slide shows further add to the students’ knowledge. Another educational avenue can be found in the publications by BHA. The first was in 1985, A Pictorial History ; then came The Passing Years...History in Pictures ...Bristol Virginia-Tennessee 1700s to 1950s in 1993. Honoring our Heritage, Faces and Places From the Past was a Sesquicentennial Edition in 2006. Finally in 2014, Past and Repast - - A Fine Collection of Recipes was released containing recent and vintage recipes from local ladies (and a few brave men) along with pictures and stories from the BHA Archives. The public face of Bristol Historical Association continues to be excellent programs free and open to the community. These are held at the Bristol Public Library. Also at the library, BHA maintains two showcases of theme oriented items, some historical, some whimsical, often from private collections. Past exhibits have included 1939 love letters, radio and country music memorabilia, lamps (1910-1960), political campaign buttons, antique bottles, and vintage postcards. Since its inception in 1979, Bristol Historical Association has been collecting and preserving thousands of items for their Archives. Collections include antique and vintage as well as current items of memorabilia, photographs, magazines (especially “Bristol Magazine” from the 1940s), newspapers, maps, City Directories, post card collections, obituaries, various newspaper articles including all by Bud Phillips, pamphlets, books, scrapbooks, Kelly & Green negatives, posters, and more. The Archive Committee is appreciative of gifts from generous donors. BHA celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2020 with a special program created and presented by founding member and first president, Joyce Kistner. This program may be viewed at https://youtu.be/UchgpW2tFEE . You may also visit BHA's Youtube channel to view the presentation slides in greater detail at https://youtu.be/q0QDvwqWjUk From an impressive beginning, through years of steadfast effort, The Bristol Historical Association is ready and eager to continue identifying, preserving, interpreting and presenting the history of Bristol for future generations. CONTACT US!

IC Fowler House Bristol Herald Courier Article The History . Isaac Chapman Fowler was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, on September 23, 1831. He attended Emory and Henry College and became a merchant and postmaster of Emory, Virginia. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Fowler worked for the Commissary Department of the Confederate States of America under General John C. Breckenridge and eventually lost all his property. After the war, in 1868, Fowler came to Bristol, known as Goodson at the time, and along with his brother Elbert, purchased the Bristol News from A.C. Smith who had started the newspaper in 1865. Fowler became the paper’s editor and remained in charge until February 1884. He was very involved in the community, serving as Mayor five times, from 1871-1875, and serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates twice, 1875-1879 and 1881-1883. He was the Speaker of the House in 1881-1882. Fowler remained in Bristol until he was appointed as Clerk of the U.S. District Court in Abingdon in 1884, at which time he moved there to a house on Main Street. He resigned in 1904 just prior to his death in 1905. Fowler is buried in Bristol’s historic East Hill Cemetery. The I.C. Fowler House at 417 Spencer Street was built by Fowler in 1867. It is one of the oldest standing structures from the original town limits of Goodson, Virginia. It was constructed by carpenter and furniture maker George Blackley in the Greek Revival architectural style. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Virginia Landmarks Register as a contributing structure to the Virginia Hill Historic District. It was in the parlor of this house that I.C. Fowler, W.W. James and several other businessmen formed the committee to establish Sullins College. Following Fowler’s move to Abingdon, Charles Finch and his family became the second owners of the house. Finch worked for the Norfolk & Western Railway and was a member of the Goodson Town Council. It was Finch who made the motion that Goodson be renamed Bristol. Over the years, the home had many owners. Finally, Blevins Funeral Home acquired the I.C. Fowler house and used it for the storage of funeral equipment for a number of years. In the fall of 1988, Heritage Family Funeral Services bought Blevins and its property, including the Fowler house. Blevins donated the house to the Bristol Preservation Society which later merged with the Bristol Historical Association, and the house then became the property of BHA. BHA sold the house in 2009 to Scott Otis, who along with his father, Dr. Jim Otis, spent years working on restorations before selling it to Tom and Vickie Mitoraj in 2019. The Mitorajs completed the restoration in 2021. The house retains many of its original features, including fireplaces, a central staircase, plantation windows and casings, and flooring. Thanks to the preservation efforts of BHA, the Otis family, and the Mitorajs, the I.C. Fowler House remains standing as both a testament to one of Bristol's early leaders and a tangible part of the historic fabric of our community. ACT NOW! Donate to the Bristol Historical Association today! DONATE CONTACT US!

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Merchandise Bristol Historical Association Merchandise Vendors. Believe In Bristol 6th Street Bristol, TN 37620 423-573-2201 Birthplace of Country Music Museum 101 Country Music Way Bristol, VA 24201 423-573-1927 Blakley Mitchell 517 State Street Bristol, VA 24201 276-669-0116 Boxwood Antiques 533 State Street Bristol, VA 24201 276-644-9520 Bristol Café and Market 2600 Volunteer Parkway Bristol, TN 37620 423-652-0771 CDR Frame Shop & Art Gallery 1010 Commonwealth Avenue Bristol, VA 24201 276-644-9950 Cranberry Lane 623 State Street Bristol, VA 24201 276-669-9899 H. Johnson Pharmacy 500 Bluff City Highway Bristol, TN 37620 423-969-2895 Red Rooster Gift Shop 1258 Highway 126 Bristol, TN 37620 423-764-0716 Willow Creek Antiques 619 State Street Bristol, VA 24201 276-466-4064 The Bristol Historical Association offers a selection of Bristol-themed fine quality merchandise and giftware, including mugs, cups, hats, t-shirts, note cards, artwork, a cookbook, and many other unique items inspired by our region’s rich history. BHA merchandise can be purchased at the wonderful shops listed below. Please visit them, “shop local,” and support our community businesses as well as BHA. BHA merchandise sales support BHA’s mission, projects, programs, exhibits, and educational initiatives. *Some vendors carry selected merchandise. Please call for availability. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide online shopping or mail orders at this time. CONTACT US!

Links of Interest Bristol History Slide Show Presented by: Bristol Historical Association VIEW Bristol Va.-Tenn. Where Two States Meet From Pioneer Adventures to the Present Presented by: Bristol Historical Association VIEW The History of Lee Highway by Joyce A. Kistner VIEW City of Bristol VA Visit Bristol VA Historic Preservation Awards Visit City of Bristol TN Visit Birthplace of Country Music Visit The Paramount Center for the Performing Arts Visit Solar Hill Historic District Association Visit The Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail Visit Solar Hill Historic District Walking Tour Visit East Hill Cemetery Walking Tour Brochure & Map Visit East Hill Cemetery Website Visit The Birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford Visit Bristol Motor Speedway Visit The Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival Visit The Bristol Chamber Visit Believe in Bristol Visit Historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church Visit The Carter Family Fold Visit Bristol Historical Association Youtube Channel Visit Bristol Historical Association Facebook Page Visit Bristol Train Station Visit Bristol Public Library Visit Collectible Bottles and History Visit King University Visit Tennessee Genealogy Visit Nashville Genealogy Visit Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism Visit The Bristol Hotel Visit The Virginia Lewis and Clark Legacy Trail Visit The Session’s Hotel Visit Historic Bristol Pictorials Facebook Page Visit My Hometown Bristol Va/Tenn Facebook Page Visit Sullivan Central High School Alumni Site Visit CONTACT US!

Research . BHA receives many inquiries regarding the rich history of our area, its people, and its historic buildings and landmarks. BHA does not maintain a library or archives for local historical research by the public at this time. Researchers and Genealogists may visit the Bristol Public Library for local research. https://bristol-library.org/ 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA 24201 Phone: (276) 645-8780 Fax: (276) 669-5593 For inquiries received that require research, BHA volunteers may conduct in depth research for a fee for those individuals unable to visit the library. The research fee is $40 per hour excluding the scanning of documents and research findings and the costs of postage/shipping where applicable. Other Resources for Research: Shelia Steele Hunt Director, Department of Archives and Tourism Government of Sullivan County, Tennessee P.O. Box 3179 3425 Hwy. 126, Suite 100 Blountville, TN 37617 www.historicsullivan.com Office 423.323.4660 / fax 423.323.46352 Sharon Steele-Smith https://tngenweb.org/sullivan/ The Washington County, VA Historical Society sullivantngenweb@gmail.com The Archives of Appalachia 423.439.4338 or archives@etsu.edu https://www.etsu.edu/cas/cass/archives/