Fragile Fifteen

Knox Heritage announced its 2012 list of the most endangered historic buildings and places in Knoxville and Knox County on May 15 2012. The announcement took place at the Bennett Galleries, 5308 Kingston Pike, where Knox Heritage released its list of priority historic places for the coming year.

Knox Heritage also announced that local artist Margaret Scanlan will be creating paintings of selected Fragile 15 properties, and this fall the collection will be unveiled during an opening reception at Bennett Galleries. Scanlan is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society and the Watercolor USA Honor Society. She has won numerous regional and national awards. Her work is exhibited and held in private, corporate, and museum collections in the U.S. and Europe.

Rick and Jeannie Bennett moved their company, Bennett Galleries, into its current location, a 1940s era movie theatre on Kingston Pike, in 1996. At that time, it had most recently been used as the Capri Cinemas.  The Bennetts were able to renovate the 35,000-sf building into functional and attractive gallery space, demonstrating the feasibility of re-using historic structures for other purposes as a way to prolong their usefulness. 

Every May during National Preservation Month, Knox Heritage releases its list of the most endangered historic buildings and places in Knox County to educate the public and local leaders about the plight of significant historic resources. Often, the endangered buildings and places are representative of issues that endanger similar parts of our heritage across the community.

The historic places included on the list are selected by the Knox Heritage Board of Directors from nominations received from members of Knox Heritage and the general public. The list provides a work plan for the organization over the next 12 months. Preservation strategies are developed for each site on the list and can include working with current property owners, government officials, citizens and/or potential new owners to preserve these important parts of Knox County’s heritage. Knox Heritage is committed to acting as an advocate for the endangered properties we identify each year. We invite the community to join us in our efforts to save our endangered heritage through advocacy and action. Contact Knox Heritage at 523-8008 or click here to volunteer.

Knox Heritage advocates for the preservation of places and structures with historic or cultural significance. Founded in 1974, Knox Heritage is the non-profit historic preservation organization for Knoxville and Knox County. It is governed by a board of directors with representatives from across our community. Knox Heritage carries out its mission through a variety of programs and encourages community support through education and advocacy.