Uncle Nearest Distillery and the Complexities of Black Tennessean History - Stephanie Ferguson

     During our retreat to Uncle Nearest Distillery, I observed a complex representation of the history of Uncle Nearest and his relationship with Jack Daniels. Throughout this retreat, the displays highlighted the history of Tennessee, but frequently overlooked the important history of Black people in Tennessee. While Uncle Nearest was recognized as the master distiller of Tennessee Whiskey, the tour didn’t give a realistic depiction of slavery in Tennessee and Uncle Nearest's long journey of becoming a renowned master distiller in the south during the 1860s.

1. Love Story Evidence

This painting on the barn, represents the legacy of Tennessee and the states’ history. Uncle Nearest Distillery, has many displays that show love and harmony within Tennessee and its prominent industries such as country music, whiskey, horse races and more. The intricate design within the wings depicts horses, a guitar, whiskey bottles, roses and other symbols to connect Tennessean history. The two horses inside the wings represent the historic legacy of the Tennessee Walking Horse, and the instrument represents the deep rooted music industry in Tennessee. The artist of this painting has similar paintings across Tennessee’s cities and other historic places. These paintings not only artistically connect Tennessee, but historically connect Tennessee by depicting the legacy and pride of Tennesseans. 

2. Complication or Tension

This picture in the Suffragette Room depicts the Tennessee “War of Roses” when women dressed in all white and marched together to advocate for the 19th Amendment. This War of Roses was a part of the Women’s Suffrage Movement, and was the ending factor in the 19th Amendment being passed. However, this depiction at Uncle Nearest Distillery, feels unresolved or simplified because it’s highlighting white women’s involvement in the Women’s Suffrage Movement while disregarding Black women’s involvement in gaining the right to vote. Considering the impactful legacy of Black history on Uncle Nearest Distillery, it’s negligence on the history of Black women during this movement is simplifying the history of the distillery. Black women, specifically in Tennessee, played a huge role in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Ida B Wells, who lived in Memphis Tennessee, formed organizations for African American women, such as the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) alongside Mary Church Terrel. The first NACW convention was held in Nashville, Tennessee in 1897, furthering the history of Black women in Tennessee fighting for rights during the Women’s Suffrage Movement. The simplification of the impactful history of Black women in Tennessee creates a complicated relationship between Uncle Nearest Distillery and their appreciation of Black legacy outside of Nearest Green. 

3. Brand vs. History

        When you walk into the welcome center at Uncle Nearest Distillery, on the walls are wooden plaques that tell the story of country music in Tennessee. The plaques summarize important music events in Tennessee from the Memphis Sound, a style of soul music, to The Bristol Sessions which is considered the  “Big Bang” of modern country music. Above these plaques is a painting of Uncle Nearest playing the fiddle, because while he was a master distiller he also was a skilled fiddle player. While this display focuses on the history of the Tennessee music industry, it overlaps with marketing Uncle Nearest Distillery as a Tennessee industry instead of highlighting the Black history within the state. While walking through Uncle Nearest Distillery, I noticed the marketing focused on glorifying Tennessee industries like Whiskey, Music, Horses etc, and continued to overlook the Black history in Tennessee. The few portraits and paintings of Uncle Nearest was the only clear representation of Black history throughout the distillery. It’s clear that they're trying to group Uncle Nearest Distillery with other Tennessee products, instead of associating it with other prominent Black figures and legacies in Tennessee. 

- Stephanie Ferguson