October 17, 2023
TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM
1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
“The Tennessee State Museum is a large museum in Nashville depicting the history of the U.S. state of Tennessee. The current facility opened on October 4, 2018, at the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street at the foot of Capitol Hill by the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.” - Wikipedia
This museum which tells the history of the people of Tennessee may be one of the best state history museums that I’ve visited. Housed in a relatively new building, the museum took one on a journey from the earliest days up through the recent past, emphasizing some notable occasions for the state. Of course, the three Tennessee-born presidents were highlighted, along with the state’s involvement in the Civil War, which was a time of great turmoil in the state. The state’s relationship to music was on display in the permanent exhibit and in a temporary exhibit. A second temporary exhibit examined the state’s participation in the Rosenwald School Building Program, which assisted African American communities in Tennessee in building 354 schools between 1914 and 1932.
Musical Secretary belonging to John Burgner (1797-1863). Burgner attached a 27-string zither, an instrument like the dulcimer. It is strummed by a turkey quill when the top drawer is pulled.
An early print shop.
Different uniforms worn by Tennessee men during the Revolutionary War.
According to tradition, Andrew Jackson wore this hat to his first inauguration. The black band signifies the president's mourning for his wife Rachel.
Things belonging to David Crockett
The Life of Martin Van Buren, by David Crockett, 1835
A Spinning Jenny, about 1830, a machine which spun cotton into thread.
Loved this quote by a freed girl at school in Gallatin.
The Civil War was a tumultuous time in Tennessee as different parts of the state sided with either the Confederacy or the Union.
A Civil War medicine kit.
The museum's homage to liquor making.
Tennessee is very proud of the fact they were the state that finally ratified the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.
Loved the look of this display.
Model T Automobile, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, 1925
An early Electric Range
Sign from Ernest Tubb's record Shop
A Sit-In Stool, from W.T. Grants, Nashville, 1960s
Leg braces used by Polio survivors in the 1950s.
Tina Turner 45 rpm record cover and concert ticket stub. Turner was born in Tennessee.
Country music memorabilia: Garth Brooks' guitar, Patsy Cline album, Chet Atkins album, and dress worn by Loretta Lynn
Temporary exhibit honoring music in Tennessee.
Poster advertising an event in Chattanooga in 1960. Guests included Aretha Franklin and the Staple Singers.
Isaac Hayes' Performance Costume, about 1995.