The products and people of the Magnavox Company will once again have a presence in Greeneville, TN, with the development of the “Magnavox Showcase.” Magnavox came to Greeneville in 1946 and for fifty years provided employment to tens-of-thousands of people who built a reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
The Showcase will be located on East Depot Street across from the Greene County Courthouse in a portion of the former Greene County Bank building.
The Showcase will feature radios, televisions, record players, and other electronic units produced by the Magnavox Company. The Showcase will also include many samples of advertising and memorabilia of the company and a Learning Center for educational programs and presentations. One section will be dedicated to the people who made Magnavox such a success. The area will display a variety of employee recognition items including rings, ·watches, and awards.
It is planned that work developing the space will begin in the fall of 2025, followed by construction of exhibition and display units. The goal is to have the Showcase open to visitors in the spring of 2026. The opening will coincide with the 80th anniversary of Magnavox coming to East Tennessee. Design work on the location is being done by Ben Lamons of The Design Group, with construction by Idell Construction.
The project is being undertaken by the Magnavox Historical Preservation Association, which is a 501 (c-3) non-profit all-volunteer: organization.
Members of the Board of the Association include Bill Bradley, vice president; Mary Cansler Jones, treasurer; Christina Potts, secretary; and directors E.J. Swatsell, Ricky Shepherd, Steven Bible, and George Collins, president. Scott Niswonger is an Ex-Officio Director.
Mr. Niswonger comments that the Association has been collecting artifacts and memorabilia for fourteen years while a search has been on-going to find a permanent location for display and education. He also notes that the Association’s website (magnavoxhistory.com) has received numerous inquiries from across the country and eight foreign countries. Mr. Niswonger says that the opening of the Showcase on Depot Street will be an added attraction for visitors and the local community in downtown Greeneville.
The Magnavox Historical Preservation Association is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to the preservation and interpretation of The Magnavox Company. Visit their website at magnavoxhistory.com and follow them on Facebook.
George Collins states that the Association entourages anyone who has an interest in the history of Magnavox in Greene County and Northeast Tennessee become a Patron and support the development of the Showcase. Information on becoming a supporter can be found on the
Association’s Face Book site, or contact him at [email protected] or call at 423-525-0240.
He also notes that the Association also encourages anyone who had family members work for Magnavox to consider becoming a supporter in their honor or memory. Collins says the new Showcase will have an area for people so honored to be recognized. Now is the time to step forward and preserve the memory and artifacts of our unique community history.
