Next Stop – Historic Greeneville, Tennessee

January is a great time to start planning your 2022 excursions, and Greeneville, Tenn., should be at the top of your list. Greeneville is the second oldest town in Tennessee. It was first established by charter and as the county seat in 1783, only a few years after the oldest town of Jonesboro. Greeneville was named after Nathan Greene, a heroic general who served during the Revolutionary War. The town is most known for President Andrew Johnson, who was the 17th President and took office following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Johnson was the first President to be impeached as well.

Greeneville is also known for its scenic location at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, it’s rich agricultural traditions, as well as it’s national historic sites and National Cemetery. It’s beautiful streets are lined with numerous churches, most housed in their original historic buildings. Entertainment, site-seeing and shopping are all a must here. When you and your family plan your Greeneville excursion, visit Greene County Historic Museum, located downtown at the corner of South Main and West McKee Street. It preserves Greeneville’s Civil War history, and many other artifacts from Greene County. You may check with the Greene County Partnership Tourism, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development or Main Street-Greeneville to find out what events may be happening, and pick up a map of downtown and see where all the eateries and shops are located.

The Capitol Theatre and Niswonger Performing Arts Center have ongoing performances that many visitors drive several hours to enjoy. The City Garage Car Museum opened in 2009, and is also worth the visit. Greeneville has numerous antiques, boutiques, decor and gift shops and wonderful eateries. There are several shops you may quickly locate through their ad in this January issue of the Busy Bee Trader.

Those shops are Baileyton Antique Mall & General Mercantile at 50 Bailey Street, owned by Jason Brandon. Be sure to ask General Manager Natasha Gray if you need any assistance in this 7,000-plus feet of everything antique, primitive, vintage and collectible. You’ll be quickly welcomed at the three-story business, Greeneville Antique Market at 117 West Depot Street in the downtown square. Owners Rebecca Wolfe and Vickie Gregory welcome your questions, and what you love to collect. They are stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and General Finishes Top Coat. Ask them about the classes; there might be one scheduled while you’re visiting.

Another antique shop located in one of Greeneville’s lovely older homes is Mystic Treasures at 517 Tusculum Blvd, Suite 3. Owners Tammy Durden and Rebecca Blankenship carry old, new and repurposed selections, as well as some personally hand crafted from their family and local artisans in the area. Ladies, if you like boutiques, visit Paisley Peach Trading Company located at 1307 Tusculum Blvd., and owned by Renee Britton, has very trendy women’s clothing like buffalo print vests, jeans, sweaters and even some toddlers wear.

Owner of Ethan’s Attic, Leon Patterson, specializes in vintage, antique and custom painted furniture. Leon is East Tennessee’s Busy Bee Trader Representative, and would love to include all Greeneville’s specialty shops, antiques stores and eateries in the Busy Bee. Give him a call at 865-274-3843 and ask him about advertising in the Busy Bee Trader.

If you like auctions, give Shiloh Auction Company of Greeneville a call when you arrive in town. Their regular auctions are on Thursday evenings, unless they have a special consignment or estate sale planned.

If you plan ahead and want to stay a few days so you can experience all that Historic Greeneville has to offer, call the General Morgan Inn for reservations. The history it has to offer is worth an extra night, and you’ll enjoy your stay. Ask about the package that includes a morning history tour of the downtown and a gift card for Brumley’s Restaurant, located inside the General Morgan Inn. This will be one of my next trips; I can’t wait to visit Greeneville again in 2022!

By Maxine B Jones, Ocoee, Tennessee