History Happy Hour June 22 at the Chester Inn Museum

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – History Happy Hour, a new monthly program kicks off Marlin Curnutt from Walters State Community College giving a presentation titled “Jackie Robinson: Faith, Fortitude, and Fearlessness” 6:30 p.m. June 22 at the Chester Inn Museum. The program is free and open to the public with refreshments provided.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s role in integrating Major League Baseball.

Robinson is well known as a civil rights pioneer but his life story is much deeper than that. As his mother took him from the segregated South to what she hoped would be a better life in California, Robinson found the same racism he faced in his native Georgia could be found in all parts of America and was something he would face for years to come. Robinson was a natural athlete who excelled in multiple sports but it was baseball where Robinson made his mark. When the Brooklyn Dodgers wanted to integrate Major League Baseball, owner Branch Rickey selected Robinson because of his deep faith, personal convictions, and abundant athletic talent.  Once the Major League barrier was broken, regional teams like those found in East Tennessee began to follow suit.

History Happy Hour is a collaborative program that features speakers and researchers from various local organizations, museums, and schools. Presenters for 2017 include independent researchers, National Park Service rangers, and professors.

For more information, call 423-753-9580 or the Chester Inn Museum at 423-753-4580. 

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