Attractions

Lakes, Beaches and Water Fun

Outdoor Adventure

Scenic Drives and Rides

Sports

Shopping & Antiquing

Spas & Well Being

Heritage, History, & Culture

Nature Activities

Arts & Entertainment

Markets & Fairs

Order your Knoxville Planning Guide here.

• First Creek: Treaty of the Holston
• Gay Street Bridge: Divided Loyalties
• Volunteer Landing: Main Pavilion
• Secret History Walk
• Spy Glasses

The Treaty of the Holston exhibitry offers the opportunity to visualize a significant threshold of change in East Tennessee, American, and Cherokee history upon a site very near where this event took place.

In the summer of 1791, Territorial Governor William Blount was able to convince the chieftains of the Cherokee nation to come to White's Fort settlement in order to procure a lasting peace. Initially, the chiefs were apprehensive, fearing a trap, but they were convinced to attend. Governor Blount persuaded them to meet at a point four miles below the confluence of the Holston and French Broad rivers on the north bank of what is now the Tennessee River, near the point where First Creek enters the embayment. As a result of the treaty, the Cherokees acknowledged themselves to be under the protection of the United States. They agreed to return all prisoners and accept changes to the boundaries of their territory. They agreed to allow settlers to travel unmolested on the Tennessee River and to allow their trade to be regulated by the United States. In return for this agreement they received a one thousand dollar annuity and certain trade goods.