Dr. Chris Magra of the University of Tennessee will speak on, How Westward Expansion Influenced the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, June 28th at 3pm at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center.

Dr. Chris Magra is a professor of Early American History and the Director of the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War at the Department of History at The University of Tennessee. The Watauga Settlement was one of the first settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains.  Settlers such as John Sevier and Daniel Boone created their own government known as the Watauga Association prior to the Declaration of Independence.  They argued that British imperial policies that limited westward expansion and failed to protect settlers from Native American resistance movements were detrimental to their safety and prosperity.  Thomas Jefferson agreed with these sentiments and incorporated them in the Declaration.

To purchase Dr. Magra’s books, see below:

Poseidon’s Curse (Cambridge University Press, 2016) Purchase Here

• The special speaking event will be at Blount Mansion Visitors Center, 200 West Hill Avenue, Knoxville TN 37902.
• Limited free parking onsite
• $5 Donation suggested at the door. Cash and card accepted
• RSVP to Rose@BlountMansion.org

For Donations & Memberships to the Blount Mansion Association, please make your tax deductible gift here.

For Donations to our Blount Mansion Centennial Endowment Fund, please make your tax deductible gift here.