The Tennessee State Museum has a strong focus on the history of the South and holds one of the largest Civil War Collections in the USA. Its permanent exhibits cover more than 60,000 square feet (5,574 square meters) with an additional 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) devoted to ever-changing showcases. Set aside half a day to fully explore its many treasures. The museum’s permanent exhibits are arranged in chronological order, making navigation easy. Start your visit by investigating the First Tennesseans exhibit. Here you’ll see relics from prehistoric and ancient Indian cultures, such as a shaman’s medicine tube.Next, move to the Frontier section, which traces the often-bloody footsteps of the Spanish conquistadors, the English and French explorers, and the early European settlers. Step inside a log cabin and admire a covered Conestoga wagon, just two of the many full-scale replicas within the museum. Learn about the state’s development in The Age of Jackson, dedicated to the life and times of the Southern general and plantation owner who became the seventh president of the United States. Then move on to the Antebellum section to admire the crafts, artworks and finery of a prosperous pre-Civil War Tennessee.Look for the revolver once owned by Nathan Bedford Forrest, the infamous Confederate soldier turned Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, in the extensive Civil War and Reconstruction section. Follow the stories of women's suffrage and Prohibition in the final permanent display, The New South. This section also contains many fine examples of crafts from the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a renowned collection of Tennessee pottery. The museum resides on the bottom three floors of the James K. Polk Center near the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday, with the exception of major holidays. Paid parking is available in the adjacent parking garages, or on the street. The free Music City Circulator bus stops at the museum.
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Reviewed on May 31, 2024
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Tours & day trips
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Food, drink & nightlife
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Adventure & outdoor
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Attractions
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Classes & workshops
See all 18 activitiesOpens in new tab1-Hour Nashville Line Dancing Class
Popular places to visit
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
From touring Broadway shows to experimental art, opera and ballet, the state’s foremost performing arts venue is a destination for locals and tourists alike.
Legislative Plaza
Watch Tennessee’s movers and shakers running to and from meetings as you take a break next to the cool waters of the fountains in this space.
Tennessee State Capitol
Walk in the footsteps of former U.S. presidents and state governors on a tour of this elegant 19th-century legislative building.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum during your trip to Nashville. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the lively bars while you're in the area.
Printer's Alley
Barhop up and down the length of Nashville’s most infamous alleyway, which has a history of debauchery going back to the early 20th century.
Nashville Public Library
See one of America’s best examples of Modern Classical architecture and learn more about the history of Nashville, from the Civil Rights movement to the 2010 floods.
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