Sesquicentennial Celebration150 Years1873-2023
Celebrations kick off in July with our official time capsule opening.
CITY OF MARTIN ANNOUNCES SESQUICENTENNIAL
“I remember being part of the Centennial Celebration and am thankful to be here to celebrate this Sesquicentennial year,” stated Mayor Randy Brundige.
The official kickoff to the sesquicentennial celebration will be on July 1, 2023, with a concert on The Stage in festival park followed by a July 4th special celebration of the opening the time capsule, burying a new time capsule, and a spectacular fireworks celebration at the Martin Recreation Complex. The full celebration will conclude in June 2024.
The City of Martin was founded in 1873 and named after Captain William Martin, a prosperous landowner who settled in 1838, and was incorporated in 1874. Two principal industries developed in Martin in the early 1880’s, the Martin Roller Mills Company and the Martin Planing Mill.
The city has been a pioneer of higher education since the year 1900 when Hall Moody Institute, the first advanced educational institution, was established. In 1927, the school became The University of Tennessee Junior College and became a senior college in 1951, when it was named The University of Tennessee Martin Branch. In 1967, it officially became The University of Tennessee at Martin, a primary campus of the University of Tennessee. The University is perhaps one of the most important factors contributing to the growth and development of the City of Martin.
“We look forward to honoring our past, present, and future during this sesquicentennial year,” stated Mayor Brundige.
We encourages everyone to follow along the City of Martin social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram). Anyone who would like to volunteer to serve on various committees associated with the celebratory events and activities please email [email protected] or call Martin City Hall at 731.587.3126.
Events 2023-2024
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January 2023 – Digital Media: Historical Appreciation Then and Now
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January 2023-May 2023 – Collection of items for new time capsule
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July 1, 2023 – Sesquicentennial Kickoff Concert, The Stage, Historic Downtown Martin
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July 4, 2023 – Opening of Centennial Time Capsule at CE Weldon Building and Ceremonial Sealing of Sesquicentennial Capsule
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July 4, 2023 – Sesquicentennial Fireworks Celebration
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July 29, 2023 – Martin Farmers Market Sesquicentennial Celebration of Local Farmers
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September 2-9 – Tennessee Soybean Festival 30th Anniversary and 150 Years of Martin Music Fest
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October 7, 2023 – Martoberfest Sesquicentennial Edition
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December 2023 – Sesquicentennial Christmas
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January 2024 – MLK/Martin Training School Celebration
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February 29, 2024 – Town and Gown Celebration, Martin Event Center
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April 2024 – Historical Seminar/Walking Tours
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May-June 2024 – Martin Community Band and Sesquicentennial Summer Music Series (Thursday Nights)
