State Historic Sites

The State Historic Sites of the Tennessee Historical Commission represent some of our state's most important historic places. State Historic Sites include the bungalow in Henning, Alex Haley House Museum & Interpretive Center State Historic Site, where young Alex Haley first heard the stories from his grandparents that would form the basis for his epic bestseller Roots: The Saga of an American Family, as well as Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site near Maryville, where Sam Houston once taught. Another site is the Carter House State Historic Site in Franklin, one of the most heavily damaged buildings surviving the city from the Civil War. This program thrives thanks to longstanding local partnerships with the independent nonprofit organizations that are responsible for raising the majority of funds needed to operate these special properties.