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Ijams History

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Celebrate with us - Visit our 100 Year Anniversary Events Page!

The Ijams Story

 Ijams Nature Center, evolved from humble beginnings during the early twentieth century into a natural showplace known as the Bird Sanctuary. Developed by Harry Ijams, Knoxville's leading bird expert, and Alice Yoe Ijams, "First Lady of Knoxville Garden Clubs". The Ijams place has been a gathering point for birder and nature-lovers for more than a century.   

Girl Scouting has been a fixture at Ijams since 1923, followed by Camp Mary Ijams, and Camp Margaret Townsend in the Smokies was created in part through Ijams and Townsend family ties. Harry Ijams (widely known as H.P.) also helped establish the first official campsite on Mount LeConte and used his artistry as a commercial illustrator to promote the Smoky Mountains as a national park.

In the 1960s, the Knoxville Garden Club, Knox County Council of Garden Clubs and the City of Knoxville joined forces to create the Ijams property into a public nature park. Over the years, Ijams Nature Center, as a non-profit organization, has grown in size and stature to become the region's leading wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center incorporating Mead's and Ross Marble quarries (Ross Marble Quarry opens Fall 2010), which in their heyday produced Tennessee marble used in local building and national monuments.

Support this historic year! Visit our Campaign Giving Page

New History Book

Ijams Book Cover

Author Paul James, executive director at Ijams Nature Center, chronicles the Ijams family legacy and development of the wildlife sanctuary through a fascinating collection of vintage black and white photographs, maps, and illustrations from the Ijams family archives and local sources. Available online or in the Museum Store.

Order online

Christmas Cards

Holiday Cards In 1914, H.P. Ijams began a unique and longstanding family tradition: designing the Ijams Christmas postcard. Early designs featured silhouettes of the family members cut out from black card, while others showcased H.P.'s nature art.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ijams Family Legacy, a series of 16 Vintage Christmas Postcards have been reproduced as a charming box set. Availabe now online or in the Museum Store!