Daughter of Judge O. P. Temple, Mary Boyce Temple was a preservationist and philanthropist in Knoxville, TN, during the early 20th century. Educated by her father's personal library and at Vassar, she was the first president of the Woman's Club in Knoxville, TN, Ossoli Circle. In addition, she was the first secretary of the General Federated Woman's Club of Tennessee.

Source: UT Special Collections Library

The Mary Boyce Temple House, built in 1908 and also known as the Chambliss-Temple House, is located on Hill Avenue, the last remaining historically residential street in downtown Knoxville. The buildings in this district were threatened by the construction of a new hotel in 2003. Mayor Victor Ashe ended that immediate threat when he applied for and received historic overlay (H-1) zoning for the district.

Members of Bonny Kate Chapter met at the City-County Building with the Senior Planner of the Metropolitan Commission; Executive Director, Knox Heritage, Inc; Director, City of Knoxville Department of Administration; Member of the Advisory Board, Regional Historic Preservation Organization. Our mission, being “saviors” of this historic home.

Our current Mayor, Bill Haslam, and hotel developer Shalesh Patel have contributed to preservation efforts for the historic Mary Boyce Temple House through a development strategy that will provide a portion of the funding needed to preserve the home. Architect Brian Pittman has purchased the home and has embarked on an ambitious restoration project.

The Bonny Kate Chapter members are thankful that we could contribute a small part in the historical preservation of the MARY BOYCE TEMPLE HOUSE.

Our gratitude goes out to the persistent efforts of our leaders to preserve our heritage.