New Play Celebrates 250 Years of Jonesborough History

The McKinney Center debuts "The First and Last Town in Tennessee" as part of America's Semiquincentennial.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The McKinney Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee is debuting an original play this month that traces 250 years of the town's history through the voices of its people. "The First and Last Town in Tennessee" blends major historical moments with everyday community stories, spanning from the town's founding in 1779 to the present day. Playwright Anne G'Fellers Mason says the production aims to help audiences see how Jonesborough shaped the national story.

Why it matters

As Jonesborough prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the play provides a local lens on America's Semiquincentennial. By blending historical figures with modern-day community members, the production seeks to deepen audience appreciation for the town's past and inspire reflection on its future.

The details

The play features a 29-person cast ranging in age from 8 to 80 years old. While touching on well-known historical events and figures like the Revolutionary War and Andrew Jackson, the production also highlights lesser-known stories and everyday community members. Playwright Anne G'Fellers Mason says the goal was to represent a wide range of eras while keeping the play grounded in why people continue to call Jonesborough home.

  • The play opens on February 27, 2026 and runs through March 8, 2026.
  • Jonesborough is celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026.

The players

Anne G'Fellers Mason

The playwright and McKinney Center Program Manager who wrote "The First and Last Town in Tennessee" to commemorate Jonesborough's 250th anniversary.

Andrew Jackson

A historical figure featured in the play who had connections to Jonesborough.

Steve Cook

A modern-day community leader in Jonesborough whose story is included in the play.

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What they’re saying

“We've known for a few years that this anniversary was coming down the pipeline for the country, and we started thinking of ways that Jonesborough could be involved and honor it.”

— Anne G'Fellers Mason, Playwright (johnsoncitypress.com)

“The play can't be 'forever' long, but we definitely included some of the big, well-known movers and shakers in this area, like Andrew Jackson, Alfred Greenlee and Sandy Johnson, who could speak to the civil rights movement in town.”

— Anne G'Fellers Mason, Playwright (johnsoncitypress.com)

What’s next

The play's opening on February 27, 2026 will kick off Jonesborough's yearlong 250th anniversary celebration.

The takeaway

By blending national history with local stories, "The First and Last Town in Tennessee" aims to help audiences see how Jonesborough's past has shaped the broader American narrative and inspire reflection on the town's future.