TENNESSEE: A GUIDE TO THE STATE
Preface
Nearly four centuries ago, in 1541, the area now known as Tennessee was described by the Gentleman of Elvas, chronicler of DeSoto's expedition. Vastly more complex and comprehensive than this early narrative is the present account, compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration. Tennessee: A Guide to the State attempts to define the State in its important aspects - social economic, historical, cultural - and to picture the life of its people against their natural background. The writers have aimed not only to supply visitors from outside the State with information that may increase their interest, but also to give Tennesseans a ready source through which their understanding of their native territory may be deepened and enriched.
The task has not been easy. Many phases of Tennessee life and history had not previously been studied, and for the purposes of this volume much original research was necessary. Accuracy demanded that, wherever practicable, existing documents be checked against their sources.
Compilation of such a work would have been next to impossible without the generous help given to the Project by various public and private agencies and by many individuals. Space is lacking in which to mention all to whom appreciation and gratitude are due.
The Project is especially indebted to Jennings Perry, editor of the Nashville Tennessean, for reading and criticizing the entire manuscript and for his advice during its preparation; to Dr. Charles S. Johnson, of Fisk University, for his help in preparing the article on "Negroes in Tennessee"; and to the following persons for reading and criticizing parts of the book in its final form: Sam F. Brewster, State Commissioner of Conservation; Dr. Willis Baxter Boyd, Director of State Information; Walter F. Pond, State Geologist; James Bailey and John Caldwell, of the State Department of Conservation; E. S. Draper, Director of the Department of Regional Planning Studies of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Among others who have furnished information and criticized parts of the manuscript dealing with matters in their particular fields are: History - Dr. Robert White, Mrs. John Trotwood Moore, Mrs. Reau Folk, the late Judge John R. DeWitt, Meriwether Lewis, P. H. Hicks, Mrs. Clyde Braley; Geology, Archeology and Natural Resources - L. C. Glenn, R. W.Johnson, Kendall E. Born, Dr. George I. Whitlatch, T. M. N. Lewis, H. D. Ruhm; Flora and Fauna - Harry S. Vaughn, Dr. H. M. Jennison, Howell Buntin, Damon Headden, James O. Hazard; Education and Government - Dr. R. R. Vance, Dr. Thomas Elsa Jones, W. C. Davidson, J. E. Anderson; Folklore - Dr. George Pullen Jackson, Dr. C. S. Pendleton; Architecture - Henry C. Hibbs, Wilbur Creighton; General Information - Donald Davidson, Mary Rothrock, Mrs. Brainard Chaney, Dr. A. F. Kuhlman. Other acknowledgments are made in the bibliography.
For their aid and cooperation we are indebted to the newspapers, libraries, chambers of commerce and other civic organizations of the State; the State Planning Commission; the Nashville Automobile Club and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
This volume was begun under the directorship of Colonel A. P. Foster and continued almost to its completion under Charles J. Elder, former State Director.
WILLIAM R. MCDANIEL, State Director
JAMES R. ASWELL
WILLIAM H. BUNCE, Editors
TENNESSEE: A GUIDE TO THE STATE