'Scarboro 85,' others receive Awards of Excellence from ET Historical Society

The Oak Ridger
·3 min read

The East Tennessee Historical Society’s  annual Awards of Excellence were presented at the organization’s Awards Ceremony on June 7 at the Museum of East Tennessee History in Knoxville. Several Anderson County initiatives were among the 41 that received awards.

Since 1982, the Society has annually recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, programming and interpretation of the region’s history, a news release stated.

The 'Scarboro 85' were the recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Historical Legacy and Activism. The 'Scarboro 85' were recognized for their courage shown as the first Black Americans to integrate schools in the Southeast. Pictured are people who have helped tell the group's story, including John Spratling, from left, William Winnett and Elizabeth Sims of WBIR; Warren Docter, president of East Tennessee Historical Society; Vanessa Spratling; Trina Watson; Columnist and Historian D. Ray Smith; Tina Henderson-Porter; Deborah Booker; Ella DuBose; and Martin McBride.

The late John Rice Irwin was the recipient of a Ramsey Award for Lifetime Achievement. Born in Union County in 1930, Irwin was forced from his family’s farm as a toddler to make way for the construction of Norris Dam and the flooding of Norris Lake. Early on, he was captivated by the cultural history of East Tennessee, and his grandfather’s advice eventually encouraged him to open the Museum of Appalachia. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Irwin returned to East Tennessee and obtained his bachelor’s degree in history from Lincoln Memorial University. He taught in public schools before being elected superintendent of schools in 1962. Irwin spent his free time traveling throughout Appalachia and collecting “old-timey things.” The items and buildings that he amassed during these trips led to the opening of the Museum of Appalachia in 1969, which now sees thousands of visitors annually. Irwin published numerous books on Appalachia, including studies of baskets, guns, quilts and music, as well as his most popular work, "Alex Stewart: Portrait of a Pioneer." Irwin died in January at the age of 91, having lived a life dedicated to preserving Appalachia’s heritage.

Lynn Fox was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Living History Education. Fox was recognized posthumously for enthusiastic participation in countless historical re-enactments, many geared towards students, and for helping to found the non-profit organization Tennesseans for Living History. Pictured in this photo are family members who received the award.

The late Lynn Fox was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Living History Education. Fox was recognized posthumously for enthusiastic participation in countless historical re-enactments, many geared towards students, and for helping to found the non-profit organization Tennesseans for Living History.

The "Scarboro 85" were the recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Historical Legacy and Activism. The "Scarboro 85' were recognized for their courage shown as the first Black Americans to integrate schools in the Southeast, creating a legacy of hope for a unified nation and the possibility of change amid racial division, segregation, and Jim Crow laws.

Tina Henderson-Porter and then Scarboro Community Alumni Association were the recipients of a Community History Award for raising awareness and recognition about the "Scarboro 85" through outstanding community engagement efforts and for the support of Scarboro youth through scholarship programs that promote continuing education.

The 65th Anniversary Desegregation Committee members were the recipients of a Community History Award for researching and promoting the history of the "Scarboro 85" and desegregation in Oak Ridge, as well as for advocating for increased awareness of Black history in East Tennessee.

Pictured with Warren Docter, East Tennessee Historical Society president, from left, are Keith McDaniel and Ray Smith. They were the recipients of a History in Media Award for the videocast 'Hidden History: Stories from the Secret City,' which was described as 'a creative approach that has contributed significantly to the understanding and interpretation of Oak Ridge’s history.'

Keith McDaniel and Ray Smith were the recipients of a History in Media Award for the videocast "Hidden History: Stories from the Secret City," a creative approach that has contributed significantly to the understanding and interpretation of Oak Ridge’s history.

WBIR-TV was the recipient of a History in Media Award for exemplary coverage of the anniversary of the "Scarboro 85" and the desegregation of Oak Ridge and Robertsville Junior high schools in 1955.

John Spratling was the recipient of a Teaching Excellence Award for preserving and interpreting Black history in East Tennessee through community education, specifically through his role as a history teacher at Robertsville Middle School and his work to highlight the legacy of the 'Scarboro 85.'
John Spratling was the recipient of a Teaching Excellence Award for preserving and interpreting Black history in East Tennessee through community education, specifically through his role as a history teacher at Robertsville Middle School and his work to highlight the legacy of the 'Scarboro 85.'

John Spratling was the recipient of a Teaching Excellence Award for preserving and interpreting Black history in East Tennessee through community education, specifically through his role as a history teacher at Robertsville Middle School and his work to highlight the legacy of the "Scarboro 85."

John Rice Irwin
John Rice Irwin

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: 'Scarboro 85,' others receive Awards of Excellence from ET Historical Society