Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Tennessee State Library & Archives

By Gordon T. Belt, Director of Public Services:

Founded in 1854 in the old Davidson County courthouse, the Tennessee State Library & Archives originally served as a “gentleman’s library” for legislators. Today, the Library & Archives makes its vast resources available to everyone and provides a multitude of services to Tennesseans. Its mission is to “collect and preserve books and records of historical, documentary and reference value, and to encourage and promote library development throughout the state.”

The Library & Archives spent nearly a century in the Tennessee State Capitol until 1953, when it moved to its current building, directly across from the capitol. The Library & Archives was constructed as a memorial to the men and women of Tennessee who served in World War II. In 2003, the building was listed on the National and Tennessee Registers of Historic Places.

The building houses a wide range of Tennessee resource material, including published histories and original materials such as photographs, letters, prints, posters, legislative acts, maps, political cartoons, court cases, postcards and sheet music. The Library & Archives assists many types of patrons, including Tennessee General Assembly members and their staff, attorneys, businesses, educators, students, scholars, genealogists, journalists, public officials and government agencies. Statewide, they provide services to the blind and physically handicapped, support nine regional public libraries and assist counties in developing their archives and preserving their records.

Note: there is no designated parking for this tour. Please utilize parking on any adjoining streets and garages. Members should meet at the front of the building.

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