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1982 Knoxville International Energy Exposition Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2071

  • Staff Only

The 1982 Knoxville International Energy Exposition Collection correspondence and other documents from the various organizations that were instrumental in bringing the World's Fair to Knoxville in 1982. These organizations include: The Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, KIEE (Knoxville International Energy Exposition), and the Downtown Knoxville Association. Correspondence relating to the World's Fair from Lamar Alexander, Jake Butcher, Frank Deller, Victor Ashe, and Randy Tyree can also be found in this collection. Forty color slides of the World's Fair and KIEE office photos are included. There are also numerous feasibility studies, environmental impact statements, downtown revitalization plans, financial statements, and projections of fair attendance included in this collection.

Dates

  • 1973-1982

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

1.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes [1 record, 1 half])

Abstract

The 1982 Knoxville International Energy Exposition Collection correspondence and other documents from the various organizations that were instrumental in bringing the World's Fair to Knoxville in 1982. These organizations include: The Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, KIEE (Knoxville International Energy Exposition), and the Downtown Knoxville Association. Correspondence relating to the World's Fair from Lamar Alexander, Jake Butcher, Frank Deller, Victor Ashe, and Randy Tyree can also be found in this collection. Forty color slides of the World's Fair and KIEE office photos are included. There are also numerous feasibility studies, environmental impact statements, downtown revitalization plans, financial statements, and projections of fair attendance included in this collection.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Knoxville International Energy Exposition (better known as the World's Fair) was held in Knoxville from May 1 to October 31, 1982. W. Stuart Evans was the original visionary behind the event, which he intended to attract business to central Knoxville and away from suburban shopping malls. This concept excited Mayor Kyle Testerman, and he appointed banker Jake Butcher to head a committee to investigate the feasibility of such an event. The Knoxville International Energy Exposition, Incorporated (KIEE) was formed in 1976 and Exposition bankers gradually acquired the 67 acre fair site near downtown Knoxville. The fair itself attracted about 11 million visitors, but did not achieve Evans' larger goal, as the event did not spur any major downtown redevelopment.

Arrangement

This collection is in two boxes. The collection is arranged into five series:

  1. Series I: Spokane Expo '74 and Early Knoxville Expo '82 Related Materials
  2. Series II: Marketing Proposals for Expo '82
  3. Series III: Expo Related Correspondence
  4. Series IV: KIEE (Knoxville International Energy Exposition), Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Knoxville Association - Related Materials
  5. Series V: Expo '82 / 1982 World's Fair Related Materials

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480