Tennessee – Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park is set to host its annual Historic Market Day on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering visitors a look into the daily lives of sharecroppers in the 1800s.
The event will showcase the farm experience in the late 19th century, allowing visitors to observe and participate in various aspects of agricultural life. Activities will include wagon repair demonstrations, dyeing techniques, and other essential trades that once sustained families during that period. There is no admission fee for the event, and it will take place rain or shine.
“History is a main focus for our park, and Historic Market Day is both enjoyable and educational,” said Park Manager Monique Johnson. “We invite everyone to come. There are activities for all ages.”
Throughout the day, visitors can watch cooking demonstrations and a live animal shearing for spinning on a spinning wheel. Vendors will be on-site selling handcrafted items, and children can take part in hands-on activities and interactive programs. Offerings include basket weaving, historical games, and other traditional skills from the era.
Cordell Hull, for whom the park is named, served as Secretary of State under President Franklin Roosevelt. Hull played a major role in the creation of the United Nations and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945. Before his appointment as Secretary of State in 1933, Hull served in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
The park also features the Cordell Hull Museum, which includes a variety of artifacts, a library, and archives housing the full Cordell Hull Collection. Items on display include photographs, documents, and a replica of Hull’s Nobel Prize.
Historic Market Day aims to bring history to life for visitors of all ages while celebrating the legacy of one of Tennessee’s most prominent historical figures.