Washington County: Fossils, Trails and Cultural History

Washington County can be explored through traces of many different periods. The Gray Fossil Site is near the community of Gray, Tennessee, and preserves the remains of a wooded pond ecosystem that existed around 4.5 to 5 million years ago, in the early Pliocene. This specific habitat and its great age make geological history a distinctive part of trip planning.

The Gray Fossil Site Paleontology Hall brings together several ways to learn: replicas of extinct animals, computer-based games and an artificial excavation site. Alongside the animal reconstructions, the exhibition also features games and a recreated excavation.

Parks and trails

Persimmon Ridge Park covers 130 acres and has biking and hiking trails, as well as a section of the Lost State Scenic Walkway. The walkway extends about 4 miles from Mill Spring Park in downtown Jonesborough to Golden Oak Park. This offers options for different preferences: the park has biking and hiking trails, while the walkway is defined by its approximate length and named endpoints.

History in Historic Jonesborough

The brochure for the self-guided walking tour of Historic Jonesborough covers nearly 30 sites within walking distance in the historic downtown district. A notable place to start exploring local history is the Chester Inn: it is the oldest wood-frame building in the historic downtown business district of Jonesborough and has been restored and furnished in the style of the 1890s. The Chester Inn Museum documents Jonesborough’s history from its founding in 1779 to the present day.

The Jonesborough/Washington County History Museum and Archives offers another perspective on the past. It collects artifacts, documents and photographs relating to the history of the area and the people who called it “the Mother of Tennessee.” Together with the downtown walking tour, it offers a choice between outdoor stops and museum collections.

There are also different formats for historical visits. Tours of Old Jonesborough Cemetery are offered at 2:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays from June through the first weekend in October; check the specific dates before your trip. The Oak Hill School Heritage Education Program gives students a school day as it would have been in 1892. Tours for the program are available by appointment.

Storytelling, museums and regional history

The International Storytelling Center campus was the first facility devoted exclusively to the ancient tradition of storytelling. The Teller-in-Residence program offers live storytelling events in Historic Jonesborough from May through October. If you would like to include this seasonal offering in your plans, check the event dates before your trip.

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site tells the story of Northeast Tennessee from early settlement through the Civil War and includes eleven historic buildings. The Reece Museum, by contrast, focuses on about 22,000 artifacts relating to the past, as well as contemporary Appalachian art and culture. These different focuses let you weigh historic buildings, regional history and art as separate interests when planning your trip.

The Johnson City Railroad Experience is dedicated to railroad history through interactive, hands-on exhibits. These include an activity room for children, monthly Heritage Day events and other special programs. The experience combines railroad history, hands-on exhibits and an area specifically intended for children.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Jonesborough, Johnson City, Polk County, Jefferson County, Putnam County, Sumner County, Rutherford, Haywood County.

For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.