The Jefferson County Museum & Archives is maintained in the County Courthouse, located on West Main Street in Dandridge.  The Museum originated from the work of Rev. Reuel B. Pritchett in 1956.  A number of original artifacts and documents from various periods in the county's history are displayed in cases on two floors.  Much of Rev. Pritchett's collection is now held in the Bridgewater College Museum & Archives, Bridgewater, VA.

Some of the most popular exhibits are a facsimile of the marriage bond signed by Davy Crockett for his marriage to Polly Findley and other ephemera from his life.  Also on display are objects from periods of American history, such as war memorabilia, donated by Jefferson County residents.  There is no charge for viewing the exhibits, nor is there a formal tour.  Visitors are welcome during the building's open hours.

Selected documents from the County Archives are displayed in the Museum cases.  Holdings of the Archives are not open to the public without a prior appointment.  The Webmistress for this site spearheaded a move to establish a research Archives, but the action was thwarted.  The Tennessee Bicentennial Committee of Jefferson County has adopted the formation of an Archives as its legacy project for 1996.  The Archives opened 02 January 1997.

Some expansion of the Courthouse's offices occurred in 1995, which was the building's sesquicentennial.  Information about the Courthouse is available from the office of the Jefferson County Executive (202 West Main Street, Dandridge, TN 37725) or the county's Web site.

Contact details for the Archives and individual libraries is available on a separate page on this site.