Expansive museum chronicling Tennessee’s history through permanent and rotating exhibits featuring artifacts, art, and interactive displays from prehistoric times to the present.
General Information
Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 1pm – 5pm
Closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
How to Get There
Take I-40 West to downtown Nashville, exit at Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, turn right and continue north to Jefferson Street; the museum is located at the corner adjacent to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
Overview
The Tennessee State Museum offers a sweeping narrative of the state’s history, art, and culture, from its earliest inhabitants to modern times. Located at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, the museum features permanent exhibitions such as the Tennessee Time Tunnel, which guides visitors through key eras including First Peoples, Civil War and Reconstruction, and Tennessee Transforms. The museum also includes a Children’s Gallery, rotating temporary exhibits, and a museum store featuring locally made crafts and books.
Admission is always free, making it an accessible destination for families, students, and history enthusiasts. The museum’s interactive displays, documentary films, and educational programming provide a rich, engaging experience for all ages. Whether you're exploring the state’s natural history or its musical roots, the Tennessee State Museum offers a comprehensive and inspiring look at the people and events that shaped Tennessee.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Tennessee State Museum, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
