International Storytelling Center

The International Storytelling Center sits along Main Street in Jonesborough, Tennessee's oldest town, where the National Storytelling Festival first gathered in 1973 in what's recognized as the first event of its kind anywhere in the world. That legacy carries into the Center's event spaces today, set within the 14,000-square-foot Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall and its surrounding grounds, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains among tree-lined streets and traditional brick sidewalks. The Center's campus offers a range of settings for weddings, retreats, meetings, and conferences, including the second-floor Sara Keys Parlor with its balcony overlooking downtown, the brick-lined Courtyard and Plaza for receptions and parties, the light-filled Library for meetings and small gatherings, a three-acre park with walking trails and gardens for outdoor ceremonies, and a 95-seat theater for performances and lectures. Event rentals come with amenities including table rental, a catering kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a projector and sound system, and a bridal suite option based on availability, all within walking distance of Jonesborough's historic lodging and Main Street shops.