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Scenic Roots with Ray Bassett

Storytelling At The Chattanooga History Exchange

By Ray Bassett

Published October 23, 2026 at 3:07 PM EDT

Inside the Chattanooga History Experience. (From August 2026)

A few months ago in downtown Chattanooga, a local history pop-up opened its doors.

The Chattanooga History Experience - at West 3rd and Broad Streets - is a kaleidoscopic starting point to just a few of the many threads of history in this city and Hamilton County.

Soon after the Experience opened, I met Isaiah Smallman, its creative director - and seated in a pair of comfy chairs on display in one corner of the pop-up, we had this conversation.

A sculpture tower of plastic Coke bottles at the Chattanooga History Experience. (From August 2026)

Isaiah Smallman, creative director for the Chattanooga History Experience.

Inside the Chattanooga History Experience. (From August 2026)

A rotary phone that plays a radio recording at the Chattanooga History Experience. (From August 2026)

Inside the Chattanooga History Experience. (From August 2026)

Chattanooga History Experience

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Scenic Roots with Ray Bassett Scenic Roots

Ray Bassett

Ray is the host and producer of "Scenic Roots" - Mondays through Thursdays at 3 PM - and WUTC's Editorial Director.

See stories by Ray Bassett

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