Wildlife Photograph

Ijams History

The Ijams Story

Harry (H.P.) and Alice Yoe Ijams built their home in 1910 and over the next 50 years developed the 20-acre property into a wildlife sanctuary that they graciously shared with the community. Harry was an artist and avid birdwatcher who often drew the scenes and animals found on the Ijams property. Alice was a talented horticulturist and kept a greenhouse for propagating small native plants and shrubs that were sold or planted on the grounds.

Mr. and Mrs. Ijams had four daughters, Elizabeth, Jo, Mary and Martha, and were very active in local Girl and Boy Scout activities. A portion of their property was used by the Girl Scouts as a summer day camp. The site was called "Camp Mary Ijams" after their daughter who tragically died in 1932.

Together they grew wildflowers and ferns, developed ponds for aquatic life and created beautiful, natural habitats that now function as Ijams Nature Center’s "outdoor classrooms." For years, people living in the area came to the Ijams’ home to walk the trails and talk about nature.

Visit the Ijams family history exhibit at the Visitor Center. The exhibit is reminiscent of the original Ijams’ family homestead and contains genuine family artifacts such as the original doorknocker, door, windows, books and stuffed birds.

Christmas Cards

It was an Ijams family Christmas tradition to create original, handmade Christmas cards each year. The first card (4 in silhouette) was made in 1914.

H.P. Ijams, an illustrator for the Knoxville News-Sentinel, drew the foundation drawing for each year's card and then daughters Elizabeth, Josephine, Mary and Martha were given a designated color to bring the cards to life.