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Long before widespread literacy reached much of the world, one man accomplished something extraordinary.

Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith with no formal education, created a written language for his people—transforming a primarily oral culture into a literate society in less than a generation.

In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we explore the life and legacy of Sequoyah, the development of the Cherokee syllabary, and the lasting impact of one of the most remarkable intellectual achievements in American history.

But this story is more than invention—it’s about perseverance, identity, and the power of language to shape a people’s future.

Because sometimes, the most enduring revolutions don’t come through force…
but through understanding.

Sources

Hoig, S. (1999). Sequoyah: The Cherokee genius. University of Tennessee Press.

Tennessee Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Sequoyah; Monroe County. Retrieved from https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net

Carey, B. (2015, June 1; updated 2022, November 1). Sequoyah—a great man whose life is shrouded in mystery. The Tennessee Magazine.Cherokee Nation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cherokee.org

Tennessee History for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. (n.d.). Interpretive materials and on-site exhibits.

Rhodarmer, C. (2026, April 1). Personal interview.

🧠 Notes on Historical Interpretation

Much of what we know about Sequoyah comes from a combination of written records and oral histories. As with many historical figures whose stories were preserved through oral tradition, there can be variation—and at times contradiction—among sources.

This episode reflects a synthesis of widely accepted accounts, supported by available documentation and interpretive scholarship. Differences in narrative do not necessarily indicate error, but rather the complexity of reconstructing lives preserved across multiple traditions.

🎧 Bonus Content

A full-length interview with Charlie Rhodarmer, director of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, is available for premium supporters on Patreon.

🔗 Links & Support

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Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories.

We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April!

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If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

In the years after the Civil War, freedom had come—but stability had not.

In Nashville, a small group of students at Fisk University faced an uncertain future. Their school was struggling. Resources were scarce. The path forward wasn’t clear.

So they did something unexpected.

They sang.

What began as a desperate effort to raise funds became something far greater. The Fisk Jubilee Singers carried the spirituals of a people—songs born out of suffering, faith, and endurance—across the country and eventually across the world.

In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we tell the story of the Jubilee Singers—how they preserved a musical tradition, helped save their university, and introduced the world to a sound that could not be silenced.

Because sometimes the most powerful voices rise not in comfort—but in hardship.

So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and listen to a story that was meant to be heard.

Sources

• Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877 — Foner, E. (1988). Harper & Row.
• The African-American History of Nashville, Tennessee, 1780–1930: Elites and Dilemmas — Lovett, B. L. (1999). University of Arkansas Press.
  https://www.uapress.com/product/the-african-american-history-of-nashville-tennessee-1780-1930/
  
  
• Tennessee Encyclopedia —
  Mitchell, R. L., Jr. (2018). “Fisk University”
  https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/fisk-university/
  
  
• Tennessee Encyclopedia —
  McKenzie, R. T. (2018). “Reconstruction”
  https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/reconstruction/
  
  
• National Register of Historic Places —
  Jubilee Hall (Fisk University) (1971). U.S. Department of the Interior.
  https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/71000817_text
  
  
• The Jubilee Singers and Their Campaign for Twenty Thousand Dollars — Pike, G. D. (1873). Lee and Shepard.
  https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/jubileesingersth00pike
  
  
• Dark Midnight When I Rise: The Story of the Jubilee Singers — Ward, A. (2000). Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Links & Support

• Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises
• Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch
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• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

There was a time when people traveled from across the region to a quiet corner of Tennessee—not for business, not for politics, but for healing.

Tucked away in Warren County, Nicholson Springs Resort was once a thriving destination. Visitors came for the mineral waters, the scenery, and the promise of restoration. For a season, it flourished.

And then… it was gone.

In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we uncover the story of Nicholson Springs Resort—how it rose, why it mattered, and how something so significant could seemingly disappear from memory.

Because Tennessee isn’t just full of the stories we remember.
It’s full of the ones we’ve forgotten.

So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s go find what’s left of a place that time almost erased.

Sources

• Summers, M. (1986). Nicholson Springs Resort Hotel: A Nineteenth-Century Spa. Tennessee Historical Quarterly, 45(3), 244–255.
  https://www.jstor.org/stable/42626611
  
  
• Tennessee Encyclopedia (2023). Entries: “Historic Resorts” and “Warren County”
  https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net
  
  

Links & Support

• Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises
• Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch
• Book John for Speaking Engagements: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagements
• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

Why is Tennessee called the Volunteer State?

It’s one of those names everyone recognizes—but not everyone really understands. The answer isn’t just a slogan or a bit of folklore. It’s a story rooted in moments when Tennesseans stepped forward—sometimes unexpectedly—and left a lasting mark on American history.

In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we trace the origins of Tennessee’s nickname and explore the events that helped define it. From early conflicts to pivotal turning points, we look at how the idea of “volunteerism” became part of the state’s identity—and why it still resonates today.

Because sometimes a nickname isn’t just a name. It’s a legacy.

So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s dig into the story behind Tennessee’s most famous title.

Sources

• Tennessee Encyclopedia — https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net
• Tennessee Blue Book
• Tennessee History for Kids — https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org
  
  

Links & Support

• Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises
• Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch
• Book John for Speaking Engagements: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagements
• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

In 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state in the Union—but that moment didn’t come easily.

Before statehood, this land was a rugged frontier—marked by scattered settlements, political uncertainty, and a determined push toward self-government. The people here weren’t waiting around for permission. They were building something.

In this first episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we step back into that world to trace Tennessee’s path to statehood—how it happened, who made it happen, and why it still matters today.

Because Tennessee didn’t just join the Union—it earned its place in it.

So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s go back to where it all began.

Sources

• Tennessee Encyclopedia — https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net
• Tennessee Blue Book
• Tennessee History for Kids — https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org

Links & Support

• Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises
• Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch
• Book John for Speaking Engagements: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagements
• Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

Welcome to The Tennessee History Nerd.

This podcast is a labor of love—an exploration of the places, people, and stories that make Tennessee what it is. From quiet cemeteries and forgotten landmarks to well-known events seen in a new light, this project is built on the belief that history isn’t distant… it’s all around us.

In this introductory episode, I share where this journey begins, what shaped my interest in Tennessee history, and what you can expect as we move forward.

At its core, this podcast is built on five ideas:
Resurrection, Recollection, Rectification, Relationships, and Responsibility.

It’s about bringing forgotten stories back to life, revisiting the ones we think we know, restoring depth where it’s been lost, connecting people to the places around them, and preserving these stories so they don’t disappear.

This is Tennessee’s story—told one place, one person, one moment at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.