Jonesborough, located 8 miles West of Johnson City, is the oldest town in Tennessee, established in 1779 by the General Assembly of North Carolina as county seat of Washington County. Downtown offers a variety of specialty shops, antique shops, and restaurants. Home to the International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough hosts the Annual Storytelling Festival and smaller festivals during the year. A national storytelling revival followed, and now there are hundreds storytelling events all over the nation. Following the completion of the International Storytelling Center, there are storytelling events and activities going on all the time.

 

With a rich history, including two U.S. Presidents who frequented the area, an important place in the "State of Franklin," the Civil War (Confederate and Union), Abolition, Arts, and more, one can surely enjoy a tour, and more information, from The Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia.