About

Two fourth grade students proudly showing off their new TN History for Kids booklets

Most public school students in Tennessee have no Tennessee history or civics textbook, even though students in about half of the grades are required to learn parts of the subject every school year.

Because of this, it is more important than ever that students have a place to go for information on Tennessee history.

Tennessee History for Kids was organized in November 2004 for the purpose of improving this situation. Step one was to research, write, and produce this web site. Since that time we have expanded to include email alerts, posters, free videos, teacher training and Tennessee history “textbooklets” that students use in class.

Today:

* About 8,000 teachers use the Tennessee History for Kids website and videos in class

* About 1,000 teachers use our booklets in class

THFK board member Rep. Steve McDaniel meets with some of the many members of the Tennessee history community at Fort Pillow State Historic Park

* About 400 teachers attend our annual “Tennessee History for Kids history tent revival” events in July

* More than 500 teachers attend THFK breakout sessions at education conferences such as the TN Association of School Librarians, LEAD, the TN Reading Association, the TN Council for Social Studies, the TN Council of History Educators and others.

Tennessee History for Kids receives revenue from the state of Tennessee, from teachers who use our booklets, and from private sector sponsors. Our current sponsors include:

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Tennessee Valley Authority

Bridgestone/Firestone

AT&T

Nissan

HCA

The Tennessee Press Association Foundation

The Tennessee Electrical Cooperative Association, which publishes Tennessee Magazine.

Tennessee History for Kids’ mailing address is: P.O. Box 210524, Nashville, TN 37221.

The founder and executive director of Tennessee History for Kids is Bill Carey. To see some of Bill Carey’s Tennessee Magazine columns, click here.

The TN History for Kids board consists of:

  • Christina Brumleve, teacher at Percy Priest Elementary School in Nashville
  • David Callis (board president) executive vice president of the TN Electric Cooperative Association
  • Rep. Karen Camper, businesswoman and Tennessee state representative
  • Will Cheek, attorney with Bone McAllester Norton
  • Meredith Libbey, communications manager with Ford Motor Credit Company
  • Mark Maddox, technology coordinator for Weakley County Schools and former Tennessee state representative
  • Justin Maierhofer, regional Vice President, TVA.
  • Carol McCoy (board treasurer), former chancellor for the Davidson County Chancery Court
  • Rep. Steve McDaniel, businessman and Tennessee state representative
  • Ron Ramsey, businessman and former Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee
  • Rep. Sam Whitson, retired military officer and Tennessee state representative
  • Tracy Woodard, director of government affairs for Nissan North American
  • Ed Fishbough, vice president of communications for HCA
  • Bill Carey (board secretary), executive director of Tennessee History for Kids