exchange place

This is a very nice historic site. Events are held here often. A city jewel. I don't go often, so can't say much. But I have bought things at the events, and have enjoyed them.

I found the living history to be very interesting, with the volunteers ready take you back in time for a lesson in the not so good ole days of living and hard work .

So much for so little! Volunteers stay in character as they cook, sew, and spin. Blacksmith is busy at the forge hammering horseshoes and nails. Games with crazy names are organized for children and adults. Music from fiddles and dulcimers fill the air. Of course, you can buy one of those new-fangled sausages that fit in a bun from a futuristic vendor, too. Wander through old wood buildings displaying quilts, crafts and toys for the little ones. Lots of parking for those modern vehicles, find a shady spot under a tree.

The Exchange Place Living History Farm is the best place to visit in Kingsport. Their volunteers interpret mid-19th Century farm life as they take you into buildings that are almost 200 years old. But it is still a working farm, with animals and an active garden. Be sure to visit during their festivals (5 each year) and on weekend afternoons from May through October.

Exchange Place is so interesting. It's like stepping back into history. P. Buckley Moss was so impressed that she made a painting of it. Suitable and enjoyable for all ages.

A very educational place to take the kids and have fun. Entrance is only $1.00 (.50 for kids). The site has animals, gardens and very historical buildings.

A restoration of our past to the days of stage coach (where horses were exchanged to stay fresh) and money was exchanged back when each state printed its own. The cabin, barn, school room, spring and springhouse, remain vibrant and active.

Wonderful learning experiences to be had here. Love the cabins and sheep.

A look back to the early days of Kingsport. Exchange Place represents and has recreated a replica of where earlier travelers wound their way into this area. It's a historic reproduction of farming and buildings.

If they have one of the festivals there is more to see here. Otherwise there is not much to do.

I live not far from Exchange Place and have been many times for different events. The volunteers have done a great job preserving the site and keeping it well maintained while still keeping it authentic. They have several events throughout the year that are worth going to. If you just going to stop by I suggest checking ahead. They are rarely open unless there is an event going on.

The Exchange Place/Gaines-Preston Farm is staffed by volunteers and is only open a handful of times/year. There is a fee--50 cents for children; 1 dollar for adults. Since it is a volunteer organization, we usually just give the older gentleman at the gate 5 dollars. Basically, Exchange Place hosts a couple of craft fairs, a Halloween event, and a Christmas event each year in addition to a "farm" day. Most of the vendors sell real crafts with a pioneer spirit--old-fashioned brooms, latch-hook primitive hangings, etc. (Of course, some of the vendors sell junk, but there aren't many of those and they tend to be segregated.) In addition, the Overmountain Weavers Guild sets up shop, selling wares and demonstrating carding, weaving, etc., and the county 4H kids sell food and farm-y things to raise revenue.The site has several historic farm buildings, most of which sit in their original locations. Docents dressed in period garb (early 19th cent.) demonstrate life/work/entertainment of the time, and the farm is "staffed" with several farm animals of the type and breed one would have found on an antebellum farm (cows, chickens, pigs, sheep, horses). The website provides a calendar of events. We never miss. If I could live at Exchange Place, I would.

This is a great place to visit when they are having a event going on. I wish they planed more functions throughout the year.