STORY BY LIZ LYONS WITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON CANTRELL, CADENCE CAPTURES

If you’ve ever heard the name Kim Trent, you may associate it with fundraising, preservation or both. Her natural ability to charm a room, combined with her passion for preserving not only the culture and history of a community, but the buildings that once housed the families and businesses that made up that community, enabled her to make connections and save, renovate and preserve countless structures from Knoxville’s (and elsewhere) past. All of that to say that the house on Magnolia Avenue that held so very much Knoxville history was the perfect place for Kim to land. She said she was hooked the moment she walked in the door.

Although we’re sure the doorway looks much different now than it did in 2019 when Kim bought the place, we were hooked as well. Kim treated us to stories about the artwork on her walls and her many travels. We lost track of time listening to stories about some of her experiences in Cuba, and about the people she encountered and purchased art from. Everything on her walls was created by a friend, or she brought back as a souvenir. She also told us about the house’s past. It was built in 1925 and designed by Baumann and Baumann architects. The first family to live there was contractor A.H. Whisman, his wife and daughter. Kim learned this fact after buying the house, but thought it is an appropriate one, as much of her career had been spent fighting to save and preserve buildings that were built by Whisman. Throughout the years The Magnolia was home to the Knox Area Urban League, an antique store and a radio station. Kim keeps the history of the home alive through her stories and even through her art, including a blueprint of the home.

Kim’s dedication to celebrating and enjoying the culture and heritage both in her community and around the world shines through in her home. She’s thrilled that she can once again host parties and fundraisers in her home and entertain friends. You can see the excitement as she talks about her new(ish) neighborhood, and all the things in store for it. One of those things being that the Knoxville Baptist Tabernacle Church is being redeveloped into a music and event venue called the Grandiflora. We just hope that we make the guest list for one of her next gatherings!