Museum Galleries
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The Nathanael Greene Museum currently has 10 galleries, 3 permanent exhibits and numerous independent displays that span the history Greene County and her neighboring counties. Several "Greene" natives are highlighted, with emphasis placed on David "Davy" Crockett, frontiersman and Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States. A mural of Davy's life experiences leads the smallest visitor into the "Greene Adventure Gallery," a children's (of all ages) adventure room, where he or she may play in an Indian village and crawl through a bear's den. The life size log cabin is reminiscent of Crockett's birthplace. The newest display in the adventure room is "Klondike Mike," a very tall Grizzly Bear.
Through a focused selection of artifacts in the newly renovated "Andrew Johnson Gallery," visitors will explore the family life of the Nation's 17th President. An added dimension of Johnson's life is outlined in the "Paths To Freedom Exhibit," where guests will come to understand the struggle to end slavery in Greene County and the surrounding area. Within this "hallway exhibit" the visitor will also find the "Great Depression Gallery," "Early Business Gallery" and the "20th Century African-American Gallery." The later gallery celebrates the many contributions of Greene County African-Americans in the 20th century. The newly created "History Of Greene County Quilts Gallery" gives the visitor an insight into the making of beautiful quilts of the area, some of which date back into the 19th century. The "Veteran's Honor Gallery" pays homage to the full range of area soldiers who served from the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq and Afghanistan. The newly renovated "An Area Divided Gallery" presents the many stories of the Civil War in Upper East Tennessee. These stories include participants such as the "Bridge Burners" and the death of Confederate Brigadier General, John Hunt Morgan.
For those guests interested in fine furniture and the elegant lifestyles of some area residents, the Museum's collection of antiques, clothing and furniture, will illustrate the promise of 19th Century America.
With all that the Museum has to offer, you will need several visits to absorb all there is to learn about Greene County and the surrounding area history.
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
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The "Quartermaster Department" (Museum Store)
The Museum Store contains various items from books by local authors and postcards to items for the children, such as coonskin caps, coloring books and train whistles. Be sure to ask the attendant for assistance.
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Andrew Johnson Gallery: The Story of the Man and His Family
This gallery is not only about Andrew Johnson, the 17th President, but his children, their spouses and his grandchildren. It provides a capsulated view of Andrew Johnson, the man, and his family life.
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History Of Greene County Quilts: A Stop On The Appalachian Quilt Trail
A gallery designed to showcase the beautiful quilts of the area that have been donated to the Museum. After the enormous success of our recent quilt exhibits, we felt that a gallery designed to show off the wonderful quilters of Upper East Tennessee was warranted.
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Veteran's Honor Gallery: Greene County Heroes
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
This gallery is a memorial to our heroes who fought, and sometimes died, for our freedom and independence. The gallery features World War I Medal of Honor recipient, Calvin John Ward, and World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Elbert L. Kinser, as well as other area heroes. -
An Area Divided: The Civil War Comes to Upper East Tennessee
A gallery that tells the story of the terrible struggle that almost divided a nation and how it affected Greene County and the surrounding area. This gallery features actual Civil War artifacts from the area.
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Elegant Home: Fine Furnishings Of The 18th, 19th, and 20th Century
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
This gallery gives the visitor a glimpse into the way some area homes were furnished even though it was considered the western frontier. Many fine craftsmen settled in this area and plied their business. -
1st Floor Independent Displays
The Independent Displays on the first floor will give the visitor a view of some artifacts that are not featured elsewhere in the Museum.
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Magnavox: The Great Voice
A gallery designed to give our guests an intimate view of the company that was a major part of Greene County's economy from 1947 until 1997.
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Greene Adventure Gallery:
This gallery is set up for children (of all ages) specifically. We want our younger visitor to leave with a sense of learning something. Outside the gallery is a mural painting of David Crockett's life story. The gallery features a log cabin, covered wagon, Indian huts, stuffed animals, a bear's den, bonnets, coonskin caps and much more.
Children's Learning Room -
Paths to Freedom
The Museum's latest exhibit, "Paths To Freedom 1822 - 1865," focuses on the various ways Greene County's slaves obtained their freedom. Some methods were legal, such as buying ones freedom and that of their enslaved family members. As a condition of their freedom, some courageous families chose to leave Tennessee and settle in Liberia, a colony on the west coast of Africa, where they risked death and depredation.
Other methods of escaping slavery were strictly illegal. The Underground Railroad was the most daring and dangerous method of escape. Oral tradition supported its existence in Greene County, and recently discovered court records provide details of who was involved.
Another surprise unveiled in this exhibit is the role that famous Greene Countians played in freeing the slaves: Benjamin Lundy, Valentine Sevier and President Andrew Johnson, to name a few. The newest display of this exhibit, "The Other Johnson Family" reveals what happened to Andrew Johnson's former slaves after emancipation.
This ground breaking exhibit details the courage and convictions of enslaved individuals to escape bondage, as well as their Greene County neighbors who were able to aid them in their quest for freedom.
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The Great Depression:
Neighbors Helping NeighborsThis is a gallery that depicts the "Great Depression" and neighbors helping neighbors. It portrays the ushering in of such inventions as the telephone, radio, automobile and airplane.
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Early Business Gallery:
Greene County's Service Related IndustryThis gallery is intended to give the visitor a view of early businesses dating from 1880 to 1910. Two exhibits featured are those of the A.H. Jenkins Shoe Shop (1880) and the Romeo Store, which was the center of the Romeo Community. The store served as Post Office, Seed Store, Pharmacy, Tobacco Shop, Hardware, Penny Candy Store and, of course, "Gossip Center."
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
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20th Century African-American Gallery: Contributions To The Area
A gallery dedicated to 100 years of the African-American community. Various exhibits feature home life, military and vocational artifacts pertaining to the African-American Community of Greene County, from the Progressive Era through the Modern Era. -
2nd Floor Independent Displays
The Independent Displays on the second floor will give the visitor a view of some artifacts that are not featured elsewhere in the Museum.
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Agriculture And Transportation Exhibit
This exhibit is found in the Sub-Floor Hallway. It features transportation and early agriculture artifacts such as a 1917 Ford Sedan and a "Bull Tongue Turning Plow." Our 1917 American LaFrance fire engine is located in its own "glass house" in front of the Museum.
