Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Cathy DeCaterina

Playing a leading role in Bristol

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022

1. Cathy DeCaterina Marker

Inscription. Catherine "Cathy" DeCaterina, Bristol native, Fairmont Elementary, Tennessee High School, and Sullins College graduate, went on to study voice at the Julliard School in New York City. While singing in New York, she met and married Frank DeCaterina and the couple settled in Bristol in 1961. To teach children confidence, DeCaterina founded and directed the Bristol Children's Theatre in 1965, the oldest continuing children's theatre in the State of Tennessee.

DeCaterina opened the Catherine F. DeCaterina School of the Arts in 1977, and incorporated themes for adult audiences to become Theatre Bristol in 1980. DeCaterina selected, cast, rehearsed, and directed more than 200 classic, popular, and original productions for hundreds of thousands of students and adults.

DeCaterina's keen artistic and business management skills led to a downtown presence for Theatre Bristol drama company activities. In 1983, she played an instrumental role in the rescue and restoration of the Paramount Theater. Recognized for a lifetime achievement by the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2008, DeCaterina's Theatre Bristol continues to educate,

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inspire and entertain, building confidence in children and adults alike.

Erected 2009.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.

Location. 36° 35.695′ N, 82° 10.955′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on State Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 512 State Street, Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Paramount Theatre

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 4, 2022

2. Cathy DeCaterina Marker

(here, next to this marker); Bank Street (a few steps from this marker); Baseball History (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmie Rodgers (within shouting distance of this marker); Bristol Sessions (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mississippi Country: The Bristol Sessions (about 400 feet away); First Country and Western Recording (about 400 feet away); Birthplace of Bristol (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic Bristol (was within shouting distance of this marker in Virginia but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.