Exchange Place : Daniel Boone : Gaines-Preston Farm : Historic 1850s

Gaines Preston Farm - Exchange Place - Kingsport Tennessee

Exchange Place Gaines Preston Farm

Historical Landmark Kingsport Tennessee

Homepage
Visiting The Farm
1850s Farmstead
Animal Breeds
Daniel Boone
Special Events
School Programs
Group Tours
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Links:
See our very own Daniel Boone.
Daniel Boone Trail.
Read The Adventures of Daniel Boone.
Daniel Boone Print : Soon Available

Daniel Boone Visits 1775
Daniel Boone Crosses Exchange Place Property in 1775

By the time Daniel Boone left the Holston River near present day Kingsport on March 10, 1775, he had been through this area several times and knew the land well.

On that date, he and his men began blazing the “Wilderness Road,” starting at the Long Island of the Holston, continuing up Reedy Creek to Leslie Branch and northward through Virginia and west into Kentucky.

He killed a bear the first morning out and recorded the incident on a beech tree,

“D. Boon killd a bar o this tree 1775.”

In 1846, some 71 years later, John M. Preston was walking over the Exchange Place farm owned by John S. Gaines, with the idea of purchasing some acreage. He found the beech tree Boone had carved still standing very near Reedy Creek!

After purchase of the farm, Mr. Preston gave the farm and the carving from the tree to his son, James M. Preston, who hung it on the wall in the gathering room of the Main House at Exchange Place.
A copy hangs there today.

Click for Text

Daniel Boone Frontiermen

"Exchanges" still take place today at the country store. Instead of exchanging currency, crafts made by local artisans may be purchased.

Exchange Place is open for tours
May through October and by special arrangement for hosting events.

For more information to join, contact:
Exchange Place
4812 Orebank Road
Kingsport, Tennessee 37664
423-288-6071

Step Into the 1850s.

Calendar for 2008

Spring Garden Fair April 26 & 27

Fall Folk Arts Festival September 27 & 28

Witches Wynd October 24 & 25

Christmas in the Country December 6 & 7