Great Writers and Great Books
Home of Cormac McCarthy, Nikki Giovanni, James Agee, and more. You’ll visit the scenes that inspired them and walk in the footsteps of their characters.
There’s so much to tell that it’s hard to squeeze it into 90 minutes. We’ll give you an overview or tell us what you like and we’ll concentrate on what you’re most interested in. From George Washington Harris and Frances Hodgson Burnett to Cormac McCarthy and Nikki Giovanni, poetry, mysteries, bestsellers, and great movies. There’s plenty to choose from. Want to see all the real locations in Cormac McCarthy’s Suttree? Well, that would take all day, but we can give you some highlights. Just let us know.
Details
Proceeds help support The Knoxville History Project
~90 minutes (or we could just go on all day)
Meet in front of The East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street
Reservations required (book tickets below or call 865-309-4522)
Cormac McCarthy, James Agee, or Black Writers and Artists
There’s way more to Knoxville’s literary history than will fit in one tour. Call and request a specialty tour to take a deep dive:
Cormac McCarthy
Cormac’s novels are populated with real people in real places and most of Suttree takes place in the downtown Knoxville of 70 years ago. Laura can take you to Cormac and Suttree’s favorite hangouts and hidden corners and take you back to the Knoxville of Cormac’s youth and dreams.
James Agee
Agee’s Knoxville childhood inspired an autobiographical novel, A Death in the Family and a Samuel Barber opera based on his Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Step back over 100 years.
Black Writers, Musicians, and Artists
Stroll the streets that inspired Knoxville’s Black artists, musicians, and writers: Howard Howard Armstrong (Louie Bluie), Brownie and Stick McGhee, Leola Manning, Beauford and Joseph Delaney, and author Nikki Giovanni.
Tickets
– Adults: $20
– Children 6-12: $14
– Group rates available
Click or call now to book your tour
Book any scheduled tour, or call to add a tour.
To book, use the calendar or just give us a call at (865)309-4522.Day you want blocked out? Check the full calendar to see what else is available.
Contact us about other dates and group tours.
Tours available by appointment for groups as small as three adults.
Call 865-309-4522 to schedule a tour.
