The Living Legacy Trade Fair Returns for Its Fifth Year

The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is bringing back its Living Legacy Trade Fair on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, with nearly 40 local artisans and crafters demonstrating their trades. This event is free to the public.

“Our mission for the trade fair is to look back on how people did things in previous decades and even centuries,” says Brett King, Executive Director of the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum. “A hundred years ago, you did not have the convenience of grocery stores or department stores. In those days, everything was handmade or bought from a local crafter in your community.”

The trade fair allows people of all ages to explore their interests with a variety of demonstrations and memorable hands-on experiences. It’s a growing tradition in McMinn County, Tennessee, that preserves the old ways of life. 

Demonstrations Include a Wide Variety of Crafts and Interests 

One of the coolest things about the Living Legacy Trade Fair is the sheer number of artisans and crafters participating. The list ranges from spinning to basket-making, and from cheese-making to blacksmithing. There will be a live beehive and Appalachian music as well. Visitors can focus on a few demonstrations that interest them and ask the crafters questions, or float from one station to the next to learn a wide variety of skills.

A few notable stations include fly-tying, led by 13-year-old Caleb Deloach, cooking classes led by multiple local farmers and Native Americans, as well as demonstrations by Revolutionary War reenactors.

“There’s so much technology these days that I believe has distracted youth from using their hands, which leads me back to our trade fair’s mission, to look back on how people did things long ago,” says Charlene Such, Program and Events Coordinator for the McMinn Living Heritage Museum. “There seems to be a resurgence of handcrafting and being self-sustainable, and I believe we all need to help pass on the skills to future generations.”

The majority of artisans will let attendees participate in demonstrations, sample products, and/or purchase their items. This event will be held mostly indoors, which means it runs rain or shine and gives attendees a break from the August heat. The museum has an ADA-compliant elevator and an accessible bathroom.  

Most Artisans and Crafters Live in McMinn County

Most of the crafters participating in the Living Legacy Trade Fair are from McMinn County, with some people driving in from surrounding areas. The museum event staff was intentional with who they selected to participate in this event. If an attendee wants to learn a skill or ask follow-up questions, they can meet with a crafter in the community.

If the museum brought in crafters from several hours away or flew in people from different states, locals wouldn’t have access to those artisans to continue learning from them (or purchasing their wares) in the weeks and months following the fair.

“We’re introducing people to local resources they can use,” says King. “This event could spark an interest that attendees pursue for years to come.” 

A Local Photographer is Capturing These Artisans

Not only can visitors to McMinn County attend the Living Legacy Trade Fair, but they can also view Faces of the Foothills, a portrait by Sara Renee Photography of Athens. This exhibit is on display through August, which captures the nature of the craft and the dedication of the artisans who have worked so hard to learn it.

If you can’t attend the Fair this year and miss the photography exhibit, there are plenty of ways to connect with the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum and its artisan-focused programming. Check the calendar of events to see what is coming up and explore both permanent and temporary exhibits. The museum also has a lot of school programming and opportunities for homeschoolers to explore their interests.

“The same kinds of crafts at our Living Legacy Trade Fair are being demonstrated through our school programs,” says Such. “They are very hands-on and bring the old arts to new generations.”

Plan Your Historic Getaway to McMinn County

McMinn County, Tennessee, offers plenty of activities for history lovers. Check out our history itinerary and see how you can fill a day (or three) with different experiences from the past. You can also check the Discover McMinn events calendar for more activities around the county.  

Step into the natural beauty of McMinn County and enjoy the wonders of today with memories from the past. Plan your visit around the McMinn Living Legacy Trade Fair and enjoy everything this museum and community have to offer.