Museum Galleries
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The Museum's 11 permanent exhibits span the history of Greene County, and two Greene County natives, Davy Crockett and President Andrew Johnson are highlighted. A mural of Crockett's life experiences leads the smallest visitor into the Children's 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 birth place.
Through a focused selection of artifacts in the President's Gallery, visitors will explore the family life of President Andrew Johnson. 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. The next gallery celebrates the contributions of Greene County African Americans in the 20th century.
The Civil War gallery continues the stories of Greene County soldiers, such as the "Bridge Burners", as well as the death of the Confederate General, John Hunt Morgan. The Veteran's Honor Gallery pays homage to the full range of Greene County soldiers who served from the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq.
For those visitors interested in fine furniture and the elegant lifestyles of Greene County residents, the museum's collection of antiques, coverlets and quilts, will illustrate the promise of 19th Century America.
With all the museum has to offer, you will need several visits to absorb all there is to learn about Greene County's history.
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
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President's Gallery:
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.
the Legacy of Andrew Johnson -
Early Agriculture Gallery: Greene County's Agrarian Roots.
A gallery that gives an overview of early agriculture practices and tools used in Greene County prior to the mechanized era. This is our oldest gallery and plans are underway for a complete renovation.
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photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
Veteran's Honor Gallery:
This gallery is a memorial to our heroes who fought, and sometimes died, for our freedom and independence. The gallery features Marine Corps Sergeant Elbert L. Kinser, a Congressional Medal of Honor winner, and other notable Greene Countians.
Greene County Heroes -
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
Civil War Gallery:
A gallery that tells the story of the terrible struggle that almost divided a nation and how it affected Greene County. This gallery features actual Greene County artifacts from the Civil War era.
Greene County's Struggle -
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
Elegant Home Gallery:
This gallery gives the visitor a view into the way some Greene County homes were furnished even though it was considered the western frontier. Many fine craftsman settled in Greene County and plied their business.
18th, 19th, and 20th Century -
Community Gallery:
Education, Medicine, Music & SportsA gallery intended to give the visitor information concerning community living in Greene County. Several artifacts from Greene County hospitals, bands and schools are featured in this gallery.
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
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Greene Adventure Gallery:
This gallery is set up for children 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, Native American huts, stuffed animals, a bear's den, bonnets, coonskin caps and much more.
Children's Learning Room -
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
Early Home Gallery:
A gallery depicting the "Great Depression" and neighbors helping neighbors. The ushering in of such inventions as the telephone, radio, automobile and airplane are featured in this gallery.
Greene County From 1900 -1935 -
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene
Early Business Gallery:
This gallery is intended to give the visitor a view of early businesses dating from 1880-1910. 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."
Service Related Industry -
20th Century African American Gallery: Greene County Contributions
A gallery dedicated to 100 years of the African American community in Greene County. Various exhibits feature home life, education, military and vocational artifacts pertaining to the African American Community of Greene County, from the Progressive Era through the Modern Era. -
Paths to Freedom
The Museum's latest permanent exhibit, Paths To Freedom 1822-1865, focuses on the various ways Greene County's African American 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.
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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Other Exhibits
The museum features many exhibits separate from the galleries mentioned above. The Model T Ford sedan is located on the first level of the building. The 1917 American LaFrance Fire Engine is housed in a glass enclosed structure at the entrance to the museum.
photo courtesy of Linnie Greene