Mead's and Ross Marble approved by state as 'Historic Sites'

Tennessee Historic Commission group at Ross Marble Keyhole

This week, Ijams hosted the Tennessee Historic Commission for its State Review of regional properties nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Both Mead’s Quarry and Ross Marble Quarry were considered within the context of a multiple property nomination for the Tennessee Marble Industry.

GREAT NEWS! Both sites were approved at the state level and will be forwarded to the national panel in Washington, D.C. Final approval should occur within 45-60 days.

Before the meeting, an enthusiastic group hiked out to Mead’s Quarry on a frosty yet clear morning and then onto to the Keyhole at Ross Marble led by Ijams’ Director, Paul James, and Senior Naturalist, Stephen Lyn Bales.

Special thanks to the staff at the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU and in particular, Dr. Susan Knowles for her dedicated and inspiring research and coordination of Tennessee Marble days at Ijams and the East Tennessee History Center.

Thanks to all for bringing worthy recognition to these important historical sites.

- Story Paul James, Ijams Executive Director. Photo Stephen Lyn Bales

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hats off to Paul! Part of the reason this happened is his dedication to uncovering the lost history of Ijams and the quarries. - S.L.B.

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