Tressa Bush, founder of the Smith County Historical Tourism Society (SCHTS), is once again helping Tennesseans experience history in a powerful and personal way. On May 3, 2025, Bush will lead the return of Tennessee Maneuvers Remembered, a living history event that takes visitors back to 1941–1944, when over 850,000 U.S. Army troops trained in Tennessee during World War II.
This event is more than a reenactment. Under Bush’s direction, it invites people to step into the past through live military demonstrations, expert speakers, and interactive exhibits. Attendees will see what life was like for soldiers preparing for war—and for the communities that supported them from the homefront.
Bush emphasizes the civilian side of the story too. Visitors will learn how rationing, salvaging, and Civil Defense efforts helped Tennesseans stay safe and support the war effort.
“We’re not just remembering history—we’re bringing it to life,” says Bush. “When people see it, touch it, and hear it, it stays with them. That’s how you preserve a story.”
Tressa Bush is well known across the state for her work as a journalist and historian. She spent years as a reporter for Tennessee Crossroads and as a producer for Wilson County Television. Her career has always been rooted in storytelling—and now, she’s using those same skills to make history engaging and unforgettable.
Bush is a two-time Tennessee State Press Award winner. She founded SCHTS to keep Tennessee’s history visible and active, not tucked away in textbooks. Through events like Tennessee Maneuvers Remembered, she turns the past into something people can walk through, ask questions about, and carry with them.
She believes people connect to history when it feels real—and her events are built to make that connection last.
Join Tressa Bush and SCHTS on May 3, 2025, for a full day of stories, sounds, and sights from a time when Tennessee helped prepare the nation for war. History won’t just be told—it’ll be experienced.
About Tressa Bush
Tressa Bush is an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and founder of the Smith County Historical Tourism Society. Known for her years on Tennessee Crossroads and her leadership at WCTV, Bush brings a love for Tennessee’s people and past into every project. She is committed to preserving local history through media, tourism, and hands-on education that helps others experience the stories that shaped Tennessee.
About the Smith County Historical Tourism Society (SCHTS)
The Smith County Historical Tourism Society was founded by Tressa Bush to preserve and promote Tennessee’s rich heritage. SCHTS hosts events that combine storytelling, reenactment, and education to make history tangible. By focusing on moments like the World War II Tennessee Maneuvers, SCHTS brings forgotten stories back to life for new generations.
