Welcome
Beck Museum
About the Museum
The property, located at 1927 Dandridge Avenue, was built in 1912 by James Cowan and Alice Saxton Cowan. Dr. E.F. Lennon, purchased the Cowan estate in 1946. This was the first Black family to move into the area. The home became the center of cross burnings and warnings from the Ku Klux Klan. Gradually, the area changed in racial composition. It underwent the greatest change during the 1950’s as a result of the Mountain View Urban Renewal project, which relocated many black families from the Civic Coliseum area.
James G. and Ethel B. Beck purchased the Cowan-Lennon house in 1968. After their death, James in 1969 and Ethel in 1970, the house was held in estate and used as theUrban Renewal site office. In 1975, “the people” purchased the historic property to be the site for the newly formed Beck Cultural Exchange Center.
The Beck Museum Experience
Your Visit
When you visit the Beck Museum, you will be able to tour the historic mansion built in 1912, and more. Since opening, Beck has continued to grow. Over the years, additional parcels have been acquired, renovations have been made, and extensions have been added to the original house.
Museum Additions
Coming Soon
In 2015, the Beck campus was once again extended, and an adjacent property was acquired. The property is the last remaining ancestral home of world-renown artist, Beauford Delaney, and his younger brother acclaimed artist Joseph. While this museum is not yet available, Beck is restoring this extraordinary piece of Knoxville history as the future Delaney Museum at Beck. We look forward to welcoming you when it opens.
Learn more about Knoxville's rich Black History and Culture through small group tours, guided or self-guided, by appointment.
