The McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee
Largest-Ever Gift to McClung Museum Split Equally with Department of Theatre
With a more than $2 million estate gift divided equally between the Department of Theatre and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, the late Florence Fair Johnston (’60) and Hendon Russell Johnston Jr. (’60) established a lasting legacy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The Johnstons’ lifelong commitment to education, community service and the arts is exemplified in their extraordinary gift. The Department of Theatre and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture will see transformational growth in honor of the Johnstons’ love for education and the arts.
“The Johnstons’ gift marks a transformational moment for both the theatre program and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture,” said Robert Hinde, interim executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We could not be more appreciative of the Johnstons’ deep relationship with the University of Tennessee and the impact that their generosity will have for years to come.”
The Jenny Boyd Theatre at the University of Tennessee
The gift completed funding for a nearly seven-year campaign to transform the Carousel Theatre into the Jenny Boyd Theatre, which is now holding its first productions.
The new theatre’s lobby will bear their name as the Florence F. and Dr. H. Russell Johnston Lobby. The Jenny Boyd Theatre, with unparalleled resources, offers students an opportunity to hone their craft in a unique environment.
“I am incredibly moved by the Johnstons’ generosity and belief in what we do,” said Kenneth Martin, department head and artistic director for the Department of Theatre. “The Jenny Boyd Theatre was built to be a place where students and professionals create side by side, and this gift helps secure that mission for decades to come. Every student who steps into that building will benefit from their foresight. Their decision to invest in our work affirms that storytelling matters—and that the next generation of artists deserves a space worthy of their talent and ambition.”
The Jenny Boyd Theatre is not just an incredible space for students but also for all patrons who visit. A crown jewel in Knoxville, it’s a state-of-the-art, intimate venue with flexible staging space. The lobby honors the Johnstons’ legacy at a theatre that will inspire generations.
The Johnstons’ gift to the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is the largest gift in the museum’s history and will fund a new Tennessee River exhibition.
“This gift reflects the trust and confidence the Johnstons have placed in the museum as a cultural and educational resource, and we are deeply grateful that they chose to give back to the community in such a meaningful way,” said Claudio Gómez, Jefferson Chapman Executive Director of the museum.
“The Johnstons’ gift marks a transformational moment for both the theatre program and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture. We could not be more appreciative of the Johnstons’ deep relationship with the University of Tennessee and the impact that their generosity will have for years to come.”
Robert Hinde, interim executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
The new exhibition, Tennessee River Journey, is an opportunity for the museum to explore the stories of one of the most important waterways in the region. It will highlight the vital role the Tennessee River plays in both the cultural and natural landscape, blending science, history and art to bring the river’s story to life.
Expected to open in 2032, Tennessee River Journey offers students and faculty the chance to showcase research and connect their coursework to real-world contexts. K–12 school programs will engage with hands-on, interactive experiences in science, history, engineering and the arts. Visitors of all ages will learn about the river’s significance and its role in the region’s culture, history and environment.
“It is hard to overstate the impact this gift has at the McClung Museum,” said Gómez. “Through this gift, the Johnstons did not just support the museum; they made a gift to the entire Knoxville community. Because of their generosity, thousands of visitors from our campus and community will be able to explore the powerful stories of the river through Tennessee River Journey.”
Explore your opportunities to make an impact on Rocky Top for future generations at giftplanning.utk.edu.
