JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The town of Jonesborough will be the first stop of a Smithsonian art tour next year.

According to the Johnson City Press, in August 2015 the Jonesborough/Washington County History Museum and Archives will serve as the launching point for the Smithsonian's traveling art show, "Jacob Lawrence Interprets Aesop's Fables."

Lawrence is a celebrated 20th century artist. In 1970, he was approached by the publishing firm, Windmill Books/Simon and Shuster, about providing the art for their publication of "Aesop's Fables."

It includes renowned stories such as "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."

Town officials hope the tour will help boost Jonesborough's already established reputation for storytelling.

Deborah Montanti is director of the Heritage Alliance, which operates the museum.