History Buffs Will Love The Unique Frontier History That You Can Find At The Netherland Inn In East Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Published January 27, 2021
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
One of the neatest aspects of Tennessee is its expansive history. The location of the state means that it was influential in quite a few historic conflicts, and you’ll find living museums that reference Tennessee’s past scattered across the state. Here in Kingsport, it’s the Netherland Inn that truly captures the imagination and teaches future generations the way the world once was, and how the world can be bettered.
The Netherland Inn was originally built by William King between the years of 1802 and 1808, and it wasn't an inn at all. The structure and location were originally constructed to serve as a boatyard for salt distribution.
It was later sold in 1818 to a man named Richard Netherland, who established both an inn and tavern for travelers along the road. The Netherland Inn went on to host famous folks including three presidents: Polk, Jackson, and Johnson.
Nowadays, you'll find that the property boasts everything from a Log Cabin Children's Museum and Schoolhouse to a historic bank barn and flatboat replica. The historic local also serves as an event venue.
The Netherland Inn is open from May to October and by special, personal arrangement. There is an opening day event in early May every year, as well as festival experiences and a junk and treasures sale.
The Netherland Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the best spots to experience Tennessee history hands-on. You'll find that the museum is filled with historic furnishings, and through displays and events, you'll have the chance to learn about the way the state once operated on a societal and locally economic level.