Dedicated Stewards of Grainger County’s Legacy
Eleanor Vance, Executive Director
Eleanor holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies and Appalachian History and has dedicated the last two decades to non-profit management and cultural preservation in East Tennessee. She brings a meticulous eye for archival detail and a genuine, infectious enthusiasm for Grainger County’s unique narrative, having grown up just a few miles from the Society’s current location. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to community collaboration, ensuring that the Society’s strategic goals are always aligned with the needs and interests of the residents it serves. Eleanor is not content with simply preserving the past; she views her role as actively using history and art to fuel the county’s future, often personally leading walking tours and storytelling sessions where she skillfully weaves together complex historical threads into engaging, accessible narratives for all ages. She is the driving force behind our vision for digital archiving and expanding our reach through educational partnerships.
Thomas “Tom” Rourke, Head Archivist and Historian
Tom, a retired high school history teacher with a specialization in 19th-century American history and an unparalleled knowledge of local genealogy, manages the Society’s extensive document and artifact collections. With nearly forty years of experience teaching Grainger County youth, Tom’s expertise is invaluable, providing the deep historical context necessary to authenticate and catalog new acquisitions. He is responsible for maintaining the climate-controlled environment of our archives, overseeing the delicate process of document conservation, and training volunteers in proper preservation techniques. His caring approach extends to working one-on-one with families researching their heritage, patiently guiding them through census records, old land deeds, and personal letters, transforming dusty documents into meaningful family connections. His commitment to factual integrity ensures our historical exhibits maintain the highest level of academic credibility.
Sarah Lin, Programs and Events Coordinator
Sarah is an accomplished fiber artist and a passionate advocate for the continuity of traditional Appalachian crafts, holding a BFA in Studio Arts and extensive experience in educational programming development. She designs and manages all of our public workshops, focusing particularly on ensuring our arts instruction is accessible, engaging, and culturally relevant for both youth and adult learners. Sarah is responsible for scheduling master craftsmen and local musicians to lead sessions on topics ranging from Appalachian dulcimer construction to natural-dye basketry, carefully curating a calendar that provides diverse opportunities throughout the year. Her warm, organizational style ensures every event, whether a small craft workshop or our major annual heritage festival, runs smoothly and fosters a genuinely welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, effectively serving as the creative heart of the Society’s outreach efforts.
Community & Engagement
Connecting Our Community Through Shared Culture
The Grainger County Arts and Heritage Society strongly emphasizes Family Involvement, recognizing that the transmission of heritage is most effective when it is a shared, multi-generational experience. We actively design our family-friendly events and museum exhibits to include activity stations that encourage parents and children to collaborate, such as joint craft projects, historical scavenger hunts, and shared storytelling circles. We offer discounted family memberships and specialized “Family Heritage Days” where the focus is on practical skill-building, like learning basic woodworking or making traditional Appalachian toys, which strengthens family bonds through shared creative accomplishment. Our goal is to position the Society as a regular destination for family outings, transforming the exploration of local history and arts from an academic pursuit into a treasured weekend tradition that builds lasting memories.
Join Us/Work With Us
Be a Part of the Grainger County Arts and Heritage Team
The Grainger County Arts and Heritage Society offers rewarding career opportunities for individuals who are passionate about non-profit management, Appalachian culture, history, and the arts, serving as a dynamic platform for professional growth and community service. While our team is small and highly dedicated, we occasionally seek to fill key roles in areas such as archival management, educational program development, fundraising coordination, and administrative support. We look for candidates who possess relevant academic qualifications—such as degrees in history, library science, museum studies, or non-profit administration—coupled with an authentic enthusiasm for serving the Grainger County community and a proven track record of professional integrity and collaborative work ethic. Working with us is more than just a job; it is a vocation dedicated to preserving an irreplaceable regional legacy.
Application Process
Career Opportunities
Interested applicants for any posted career opportunity are invited to submit their materials via email to the address specified in the job posting, ensuring all required documents, typically including a detailed cover letter and a current resume or CV, are attached as a single PDF document. Your cover letter should clearly articulate your relevant experience, your specific interest in Appalachian arts and heritage, and how your personal commitment aligns with the Society’s mission. After an initial review, qualified candidates will be contacted for a multi-stage interview process, which may include a portfolio review or a brief demonstration of skills relevant to the position, such as a presentation on a historical topic or a display of archival cataloging knowledge. We maintain a fair and transparent hiring process, seeking individuals who are ready to dedicate their talents to the stewardship of our county’s invaluable cultural assets.