On my trip to Tennessee earlier this month I had a chance to visit the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, Tennessee. It is a wonderful living history museum dedicated to telling the stories of people of Appalachia through the artifacts they left behind. Since the museum was founded in 1969 by John Rice Irwin, they have recreated an Appalachian village by moving over 35 buildings, including homes, barns, a church and a school to the 65-acre site. They also have three buildings filled with over 250,000 artifacts that bring the lives of the people of Appalachia to life.
I spent a wonderful day exploring the museum and photographing the buildings, the artifacts and the landscapes. I thought I’d share a few of my photos from the Museum of Appalachia with you today.
Buildings and Fall Color
Fall Color at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN ©2017 Patty Hankins
Fall Color at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN ©2017 Patty Hankins
At the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Fall Color at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN ©2017 Patty Hankins
The Museum of Appalchia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Barn at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
One of the friendly cats at the Museum. This friendly kitty accompanied me through several buildings as I toured them, regularly stopping me and insisting that I pet him.
Cat the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Inside a recreation of a Doctor’s Office
Doctor’s Office at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Medicine bottles in the Doctor’s Office at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
The village church
Church Steeple at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
In the Church at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
In the Church at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
In the Church at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
In the Schoolhouse
Blackboard at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
In the cabins
On a Dresser in a Cabin at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Corner of a Cabin at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
In the General Store
In the General Store at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Tools of Everyday Life
Spinning Wheel at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Loom at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Wagon Wheels at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Tools at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Tools at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
Detail of a woven basket by Eva Wolfe
Detail of a Basket Woven by Eva Wolfe at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
And a few signs and crosses created by Harrison Mayes, a coal minor who dedicated his life to building and erecting crosses around the world and hopefully someday across the solar system.
Harrison Mayes Crosses at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN ©2017 Patty Hankins
Sign by Harrison Mayes at the Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, TN © 2017 Patty Hankins
The Museum of Appalachia was a fascinating place to visit. I’d love to visit again. If you’re in the Clinton, Tennessee area, be sure to stop in for a visit. You can read all about the museum on their website at http://www.museumofappalachia.org/