Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum

Located in the heart of downtown Jonesborough, the Chester Inn Museum chronicles the history of Jonesborough from its inception in 1779 to the present. The museum is located on the street level of the oldest commercial building in town. Exhibits include information on the State of Franklin, a diorama of Jonesborough in the 1850s, the history of the Chester Inn, and much more! We rotate exhibits quarterly, so make sure you check back to see what's on display! Many of the exhibits feature Jonesborough’s extensive collection of photographs. The upstairs parlor, dining, and lodging rooms of the Chester Inn, restored to the Victorian era style of the late 1800s, are also open for viewing. Kids’ activities include a museum scavenger hunt, a coloring book that features some of Jonesborough’s historic buildings, and a primary source activity with the cholera epidemic of 1873.

The Chester Inn Museum is a State Owned Historic Site Operated by the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.  The operation of the Chester Inn is partially funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation – Tennessee Historical Commission.

Join us at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month for History Happy Hour! This program feature all things history and includes a wide range of topics.  History Happy Hour is a collaborative effort between local organizations, so audiences will have the chance to interact with multiple groups. The goal of the program is to offer insightful history to the public, foster a collaborative relationship with various individuals and organizations, and increase the role of the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum as a community meeting place.  To stay up to date on our program schedule, follow the Chester Inn Museum and the Heritage Alliance on Facebook.