In a Brown Bag lecture on Thursday, June 13, Dr. Gail Palmer will share stories of everyday life, love, and happenings, as gleaned from her extensive research into the families and cemeteries of those who lived in the Smokies prior to the creation of the park. Among her previously published works are The Midwives’ Quilt: A Tale of Conflict & Intrigue in the Smokies; Smoky Mountain Tales, Volumes 1 and 2; and Great Smoky Mountains National Park: In the Beginning…Fact, Legend & Eminent Domain. Palmer is a descendant of the Sparks family of Cades Cove and now resides in Blount County. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the program.

The lecture is sponsored by the Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory and is free and open to the public. It will begin at noon at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville. Guests are invited to bring a “Brown Bag” lunch and enjoy the lecture. Soft drinks will be available. For more information on the lecture, exhibitions, or museum hours, call 865-215-8824 or visit the website at www.EastTNHistory.org.