Looking Back - 125 Years After the Tennessee Centennial Exposition

Friday, May 13, 2022 9:00 AM
Sunday, January 8, 2023 4:30 PM

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In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, the Parthenon is proud to present Looking Back - 125 Years After the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, on display in the West Gallery from May 13 through January 8, 2023.

This exhibit aims to provide an immersive experience for visitors. Previously unseen photographs of the Exposition span from floor to ceiling in the galleries and musical compositions created specifically for the Exposition play as visitors explore rarely exhibited items relating to the fair celebrating Tennessee’s 100 years of statehood. The story of the Exposition will be told through items treasured by the visitors in 1897.

We encourage you to explore this exhibit and join a Centennial Park History Tour.

Looking Back — 125 Years After the Tennessee Centennial Exposition invites visitors to:

Discover the rich history of the Tennessee Centennial Exhibit and the Parthenon.
Peer behind the scenes at items belonging to the people who worked, and even slept, at the Exposition.
Sense the pride and celebration of Special Days through pins, ribbons, and souvenir books.
Explore the personal experience of the Exposition through season passes, tickets to the attractions at Vanity Fair, and commemorative souvenirs.
Marvel at the buildings and spectacles created to attract people from around the world to Tennessee.
Step back in time with transparent images from 1897 viewed in Centennial Park on a Centennial Park History Tour.

Looking Back — 125 Years After the Tennessee Centennial Exposition digital resources:

Browse books, sheet music, and archival images from the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition.

Digital Resources

Looking Back — 125 Years After the Tennessee Centennial Exposition Symposium:

In honor of this exhibition, a virtual Symposium connected to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition took place on June 16, 2022. The recording is also available on YouTube:

Thank you to the Sandra Schatten Foundation, Tennessee Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities, Memorial Foundation, Jackson, Humanities Tennessee, Metro Parks, and Centennial Park Conservancy for underwriting the Parthenon's exhibition and educational programming. The content of Parthenon exhibitions do not necessarily represent the views of our partners and underwriters.