The leaves are turning, the temperature is cooling, the days are waning. It's fall y'all!
In Union County, fall ushers in the Union County Heritage Festival. This tradition has graced Maynardville for the last 15 years. But this year a coronavirus changed how we celebrate.
In 2020 the Festival Committee has transformed the Heritage Festival into Heritage Crafts for the season!

Union County, by Tennessee's standards, is a small county. With an approximate population of 20,000, we have not grown a great deal in the last few decades, or even during the 20th century. That seems like it is changing and will continue to change in the 21st century.
Union County's population changes as society changes. We have seen an influx of "Rust Belt" refugees, migrant workers and Norris Lake retirees.
We can be assured of these continued changes with increased urbanization, or, more accurately, increased sub-urbanization.

Many of you may know the origins of the name Union County; although there are two possibilities. The first explanation is based on the "union" of land from the 5 surrounding counties: Knox, Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell and Anderson. The second is based on the area's support for remaining in the United States during the secession crises in the 1850's, the decade of formation of our county. Perhaps, it is a mixture of both.

I am going to use the space for this first article to introduce myself and discuss some of the topics and sources I intend to cover and reference. I am Joel Collins, a history teacher at Union County High School for the past several years. I have come to this writing invitation through Aaron Russell and Bonnie Peters, because I've taught Union County history at the high school for a few years. I have to say that I didn't just stumble into this; however, I was kind of born into it.

Reflect on Union County’s unique history with a visit to the Union County Museum and Genealogical Library, where you will feel right at home when greeted with a, “Welcome, how may I help you today, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting.” Museum volunteer Wanda Byerley says that many promptly return a smile and a family name that they wish to learn more about.