Swiss Colonies in Tennessee and Kentucky Collection
This collection contains research, transcriptions of interviews, correspondence, licenses, land grants, wills, deeds, blueprints, and maps documenting Swiss settlement in Tennessee and Kentucky during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dates
- 1830-1938
- Majority of material found within 1865-1934
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection contains research, transcriptions of interviews, correspondence, licenses, land grants, wills, deeds, blueprints, and maps documenting Swiss settlement in Tennessee and Kentucky during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Biographical/Historical Note
Although Swiss settlers began coming to the United States in the 18th century, Swiss immigration did not begin in earnest until the Swiss government began encouraging it in 1844. While some immigrants settled in such urban areas as New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, others established colonies in such states as Minnesota, Indiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, Nebraska, and Kentucky. These settlements took great pains to preserve their uniquely Swiss cultural identity and were well known for both their agriculture and their cheese production. Colonies in Tennessee and Kentucky included Gruetli-Laager, Hohenwald, Bernstadt, Belvidere, and Gruetly.
Arrangement
This collection consists of four folders divided into four series:
Missing Title
- Series I: Franklin County, Tennessee, 1830-1934
- Series II: Grundy County, Tennessee, 1865-1934
- Series III: Laurel County, Kentucky, 1881-1934
- Series IV: Lewis County, Tennessee, 1896-1938
Acquisition Note
Dr. William E. Cole donated this material to the Special Collections Library in 1953.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository