1925 - 1966
With the help of Booker T. Washington, in 1925, A grant was provided by Julius Rosenwald, a former Sears and Roebucks CEO, to aid in the building of a normal school in Franklin County, and many other African American and Indian schools throughout the south and southwest.
Not long after construction was completed on the Townsend school, it was destroyed by fire. Within two years however, it was rebuilt on the same property and named in honor of "Doc" Townsend, a former slave. In 1934 Townsend graduated it's first class, and it's last class in 1966. Thirty two years as a elementary school and as a junior/senior high school. This year marks the 42nd year since Townsend closed it's door's as a public school.
Jazz In The Valley celebrates the rich heritage of Townsend by continuing to grow as a community festival on the Townsend campus. Along with this music celebration comes a wonderful cross cultural blend of people, the arts, and great food.
The original Franklin County Normal school 1925
Jazz In The Valley is an annual October event held on the first Saturday at Townsend school in Winchester, TN. Here the sloping field adjacent to the gymnasium provide a perfect setting for a autumn day of jazz, blues and delicious food with family and friends.
The music concert is free to the entire family, and the location is naturally designed for you to comfortably enjoy the experience of jazz and blues at Townsend.
