East Tennessee State University's Reece Museum has received three statewide Awards of Excellence from the Tennessee Association of Museums (TAM) for its 2025 exhibition, "The Place Speaks: Sacred and Artistic Genealogies of Appalachia."

The museum received top honors in three categories – Blockbuster Exhibit, Public Programming and Publication – recognizing the exhibition itself, its accompanying publication and a series of community events inspired by its themes.

Running from Aug. 4 through Dec. 12, 2025, "The Place Speaks" brought together works from the Reece Museum's permanent collection alongside pieces from regional institutions, private collectors and community members.

The exhibition explored how Appalachian artists preserve history, folklore, spirituality and cultural identity through visual art, highlighting connections among people, place and tradition.

Featured artists included the late Rev. Jimmy Morrow of Cocke County, whose work documenting oral histories and folklore served as a cornerstone of the exhibition, along with visionary artists such as Howard Finster, Bessie Harvey, William Cross, Abe Partridge, William Fields, R. A. Miller and Aaron McIntosh. Together, their work showcased the many ways Appalachian artists use visual expression to document stories, beliefs and lived experiences.

One of the awards recognized the museum for its 106-page exhibition compendium, produced entirely in-house by Reece Museum staff.

Featuring 12 artist biographies, nine scholarly essays and photographs of more than 90 artifacts, the publication expands on the exhibition while serving as a lasting educational resource for researchers and the public. It is available online through ETSU Digital Commons.

An accompanying public programming series received the museum's third award. Building on the exhibition's themes, Reece Museum staff organized eight major events – including artist talks, musical performances, academic panel discussions, community workshops and a history harvest – that connected visitors with Appalachian art, history and culture.

“These awards recognize the way art and creative exhibition ideas can energize our community around our shared history and cultural expressions,” said Rebecca Proffitt, director of the Reece Museum. “The selection of art and artifacts on display, the research and writing that went into the compendium, the performances and lectures that took place in the exhibition space celebrated the artists, community members and museum staff who worked together to create a beautiful experience for our visitors and community partners.

“We’re honored that this collaborative effort has been recognized by our peers across the state.”

The Reece Museum was formally dedicated in 1965, though the original collection of artifacts dates to 1928, when students brought in objects related to their family history as part of a class folklore project. One of the first museums in Tennessee to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Reece is a culturally specific Appalachian museum that houses over 22,000 artifacts representing a rich and varied field of material culture.

The museum is part of ETSU's Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services. It continues to advance the university's mission as the flagship of Appalachia by preserving the region's heritage while fostering scholarship, education and community engagement. It is housed in ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies.

The Tennessee Association of Museums Awards of Excellence recognizes outstanding museum exhibits, programs and publications across the state based on creativity, originality, educational value and overall impact.

The museum is located on ETSU’s campus and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Follow the Reece Museum on social media for more content and digital programming. For more information, visit etsu.edu/reece or call (423) 439-4392. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.

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