The Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN is an open-air type of museum, meaning they have recreated a snapshot of Appalachian life by bringing in historic buildings from all around Appalachia- settler’s cabins, barns, blacksmith shops, grist mills, schools, and more. The buildings are outfitted with traditional furniture, farming implements, cookware, etc too.
It is a fabulous place to explore as everyone can find something they will enjoy. Besides the historic structures, you will find barn animals, live bluegrass and country music, good southern cooking at the restaurant, and a lovely locale with large grassy areas for kids to roam.
I love the history of Appalachia, so this museum is a perennial favorite of mine. But even a person who is not a local history buff, or even a fan of museums in general, would enjoy an afternoon at the Museum of Appalachia. The kids have always had a good time and they could’ve cared less about history when they were little. They just liked to run around and discover things and this museum is set up perfectly for that.
If you are a local, the museum also makes a unique and little bit off the beaten path spot to bring visitors to. The Museum of Appalachia is definitely the best thing to do in Clinton, TN (besides spending the day on the river, that’s pretty good too).
3 Reasons Why You Should Visit The Museum Of Appalachia
1) There Is Lots of Hands- On Learning
You will find enough detail in the original cabins and other settler structures to interest an adult or high school kid but being able to walk into and around the buildings makes it interactive enough for an elementary kid to enjoy.
Being immersed physically into the way of life means that kids can absorb history without having to read every plaque or study every exhibit. They can just look around them and see the types of houses people lived in, the toys kids had, and the clothes they might have worn.
2) To Find Out Just How Ingenious And Self- Reliant Appalachian People Were
Most of the people in this area had to learn to provide for themselves, without a handy Walmart or Amazon to turn to for needed tools or supplies. This is always a fascinating part for me to watch the kids work out what that would mean for everyday life.
Kids can see evidence of the self- reliance all around them in the museum. Why did the homes have looms? Why did people take such pride in their basket weaving skills? Why are there musical instruments made out of everything under the sun including a toilet seat? (PS- This is a kid favorite so don’t miss it in the Display Barn.)
3) There’s Farm Animals! And Music!
Besides the static exhibits, there is dynamic living history as well. The museum often has live music around the gift shop, with bands or solo performers playing traditional instruments – e.g. lots of banjo, guitar, harmonica, and fiddle.
And you can see traditional farm animals wandering the grounds. The animal prospect makes it especially appealing to those with younger kids, although I have to say the peacocks are one of my favorite things as well. (Who knew that peacocks make excellent intruder alerts? The people of Appalachia did.)
History of The Museum Of Appalachia
The museum has expanded over the years and has become much more organized, but it still keeps the personal touch of its founder, John Rice Irwin. Irwin spent his life painstakingly collecting everything he could find to do with Appalachia; from farm implements and woven baskets to entire barns and lots of cabins. He made a lot of friends along the way and many of the artifacts or photographs have a note from Irwin.
These often handwritten notes detail the quirky history of the item, like the owner’s story or how Irwin ended up with the artifact. The personal touch makes this place just a little bit different from your typical museum experience. I love the handwritten signs of the exhibits and that he has posted pictures of so many Appalachian people he calls friends in the Hall of Fame.
The museum was truly a labor of love, and one done so well that is now associated with the Smithsonian.
What To Expect At The Museum Of Appalachia
There are three main parts to the Museum, besides the gift shop/ restaurant building.
- Living History Village – includes the historic structures in the walking tour
- Appalachian Hall of Fame– showcases exhibits on famous people from Appalachia, such as Alvin York, but also Native American history and the huge musical instrument collection
- Display Barn– showcases the impressively large collection of farm implements as well as a recreated general store and a small post office
Begin at the Entrance Building where you buy your tickets and where you’ll find a neat gift shop and farm-to-table country cafe. From there, follow the signs outside to start the self-guided tour. Everything in the Appalachian Village is numbered and loosely arranged in sort of a loop, so it is pretty easy to find your way around.
The Appalachian Hall of Fame and the Display Barn are both on the walking loop designated in the brochure so you can wander through them at your own speed, which is pretty fast with younger kiddos. They don’t find historic pottery, baskets, and antique saws very intriguing so they mostly speed through these buildings.
*Pro Tip – give kids the brochure and let them play tour guide. They love to follow the map and tell you what’s next.
Highlights Of The Living History Village For Kids
Tom Cassidy House
An absolutely tiny cabin that was occupied by a happy and eccentric bachelor for years. It even has some unexplained bullet holes in the roof. (Maybe he was bored one night?) Kids enjoy imagining anyone wanting to live somewhere so small.
The Jail Cells
These small steel boxes had just enough room to cram 4 men inside and I can only imagine how suffocatingly hot they must have been in the summer. Oprah posed inside one of these when she came to visit the museum. The kids are always fascinated by these jails.
The Big Tater Valley Schoolhouse
Besides the super cool name that begs the question “Did the valley actually grow big potatoes?, the schoolhouse is fun because school is something every kid can relate to.
But here they can see school through the eyes of a 19th century Appalachian kid and I promise it will make them look at their modern classrooms in a whole new way. Do not miss the authentic Rules For Teachers posted in the corner of the schoolhouse either. My nephew informed me that I would certainly not pass muster, mostly due to my never wearing 2 petticoats and because I like to frequent ice cream shops. The horror.
The Outhouse
Because… kids.
The Peters Homestead
One of the bigger cabins at the museum, the cabin has been beautifully refurnished and you can climb the stairs to the second floor where the kids all slept in the attic.
The Parts Of The Living History Village That Parents Might Find Interesting
The Mark Twain Cabin is the actual cabin where his parents lived in Tennessee before they moved to Missouri.
The brightly colored wagon emblazoned with “Doc Randall’s Ole Medicine Show” is also neat. You can just imagine somebody peddling snake oil out of the back of the wagon.
I love the beautiful Cantilever Barn on the property, one of the museum’s most photographed buildings (it is the first image of this blog).
Cantilevered barns are an unusual barn type almost exclusively found in 2 counties in East Tennessee – Blount and Sevier. They are thought to have originated as an overhang barn with German settlers in Pennsylvania but the the design was altered when settlers moved here to accommodate the incredibly high average rainfall of the Smokies. Read this blog “Barns For The Ages” about the history of cantilevered barns if you want to know more.
Another fascinating structure (for the adults who like whiskey) is the Whiskey Still built by “Popcorn” Sutton, one of the last illegal moonshiners in East Tennessee. He committed suicide after being sentenced to prison in 2008 for trying to sell moonshine to an undercover ATF agent. His recipe lives on in the highly successful Popcorn Sutton Distillery, and he is the subject of a History Channel documentary as well as a write- up in the New York Times. He certainly deserved the italics around the word “character.”
The Exhibit Halls At The Museum Of Appalachia
The two main exhibit halls are the Appalachian Hall of Fame and the Display Barn. These are where the museum’s phenomenal collection of artifacts are stored (some might say jam- packed in) and you will probably be overwhelmed with how much there is to look at.
Appalachian Hall Of Fame
This large antebellum-style building contains a bit of everything, but its main focus is the exhibits on many of the 200 people who have been inducted into the Appalachian Hall Of Fame. One of the best, in my opinion, is the exhibit on Sergeant Alvin York, a hero of WW1 whose story was made into a Hollywood movie starring Gary Cooper.
Besides the people in the Hall of Fame, you will also find exhibits on basket types, caskets, and so many other little sections to explore. There is a Native American section with pottery and other artifacts to show their place in Appalachia’s history, for instance.
Pro Tip – If you have younger children you might want to skip the upstairs of the Hall of Fame because of the exhibit on death rituals. Besides the caskets and a hearse carriage, the exhibit also talks about the Appalachian custom of photographing the dead, including children. It could be disturbing for some.
Our favorite part of the Hall of Fame is the huge section devoted to music- fitting since bluegrass and mountain music are such a part of the area. The sheer number and diversity of instruments is super cool. Adults will appreciate Roy Acuff’s fiddle as well as memorabilia from the Carter family and other musical legends. The kids will like seeing all the different things you can make a banjo out of, including a hubcap and the aforementioned toilet seat. Never ceases to get a laugh out of them.
Display Barn
The Display Barn contains a truly impressive collection of farm and manufacturing tools, necessary for people who couldn’t run down to Home Depot every time they needed something.
The kids will like the recreated general store and post office but generally speaking this isn’t a highlight for them. Mine are truly suburban kids though, who have no idea what any farming tools look like, let alone vintage or historic ones. So maybe other kids will find it more interesting.
Other Things To Look For At The Museum Of Appalachia
Farm Animals
Besides the historic structures and the exhibit buildings, check out the small collection of farm animals and the ever- entertaining peacocks. Peacocks are apparently very vocal if they sense predators and can fly up and out of reach so they were popular “alarm systems” for settlers. I found this fascinating and am determined to replace my Ring camera with a peacock.
Live Music
The Museum almost always has live music somewhere on the grounds; look in the gift shop or on the porch just outside. The last time we were there, a very talented teenager showed my nephew songs on the guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Basically, if it had strings, he could play it. We were so impressed.
Important Information To Plan Your Trip To The Museum Of Appalachia
Where Is The Museum Of Appalachia?
The Museum is located at 2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716. It is 20 minutes north of downtown Knoxville, just 1 mile off of Interstate 75.
Take the Norris/ Clinton exit (exit 122) off of I75 and turn east on Hwy 61/ Andersonville Hwy, heading towards Norris. There is a brown sign at the exit pointing you towards the Museum of Appalachia. The museum entrance will be on your left just down the road.
How Much Do Tickets Cost For The Museum of Appalachia?
Ticket pricing is a little complicated but it is because they are trying hard to keep it affordable for families. Ticket prices will go up on some festival days so check the website or keep reading below for those dates.
- Adults – $18
- AAA Discount, Miltary, Senior Citizens – $15
- Teens (13- 17) – $10
- Kids (6-12) – $6
- Under 5 – Free w/ parent
- Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 kids 5-17) – $42 * This is the best deal and what we usually buy
Museum Of Appalachia Hours
Open everyday year- round. Specific hours change seasonally.
- January: 10 to 4
- February: 10 to 5
- March through May: 9 to 5 (Mon-Fri), 9 to 6 (Sat & Sun) **11 to 6 on Easter Sunday
- June through Aug: 9 to 6
- Sept through Oct: 9 to 5 (Mon – Fri), 9 to 6 (Sat and Sun)
- Nov through Dec: 9 to 5
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Check the website for any changes or inclement weather changes.
How Long Does It Take To See The Museum Of Appalachia?
Expect to spend anywhere from 1- 3 hours at the museum. On my last visit, my 10 year old nephew and I spent just over 2 hours. I let him be the tour guide and he loved reading the information at each stop.
What Time Of Year Is Best To Visit The Museum Of Appalachia
Anytime of year is a good time to visit but I will warn you that it can get hot on summer afternoons, even with all of the large shade trees on the property. Earlier is definitely better when it is hot, plus it is much less busy.
The only time I would say you should skip is if it is raining. Because much of the museum is outdoors, a hard rain can put a real damper on walking around. Although there are lots of buildings to duck into so it may not be too bad.
What Age Kids Should I Bring To The Museum Of Appalachia?
Any age kid is great.
There is such a wide variety of cultural and historic topics covered and in such a variety of ways – reading, seeing, tactile, living history, static displays, and more – that any age kid can find something to interest them. (Except teenagers maybe? But they can be a lost cause sometimes no matter what you do, right? :))
We have visited the museum when the kids were toddlers and all they wanted to do was to run around the big field and look at the animals. And we have visited when the kids were elementary aged and when they were in middle school. They were able to appreciate the history a bit more as they got older, although they still liked the animals. I still enjoy the museum as an adult with at least 5 visits under my belt. I always find something new to look at.
The Museum of Appalachia is a perennial school trip for many local elementary kids. I know my Mom brought her 4th grade class every year because it was such a hit. And I myself visited with my school as a child, like lots of other Knoxvillians.
Festivals At The Museum of Appalachia
Check out the website for the list of events throughout the year. Ticket prices may go up and it will be crowded but there will be tons going on. Almost all of the festivals will include demonstrations from traditional artisans (think blacksmiths, spinners, butter churners, etc) as well as live music, lots of food, and storytellers.
- Sheep Shearing Days – a couple of days in April & May
- Independence Day Celebration & Anvil Shoot – on July 4th, the museum launches an anvil in the air with gunpowder several times throughout the day. And no they aren’t drunk, that’s apparently how the settlers used to celebrate.
- Fall Heritage Days – usually a weekend in late October that is geared to students specifically
- Candlelight Christmas – a Fri/ Sat in December, an evening tour of the Village with Christmas decorations.
There are other, smaller festivals, fundraisers, and concerts throughout the year so be sure to check the website and facebook.
Museum Of Appalachia Restaurant
There is a delicious Museum Restaurant onsite, serving home cooking. You can sit on the lovely deck and the picnic tables outside or inside the restaurant with the comforts of modern AC and heat (you don’t actually have to live like the settlers if it’s a million degrees outside ;).
I have always gone for the homemade soup and sandwich combo, but I have heard people speak highly about the entrees as well. The menu changes daily but expect Southern cooking, like pork chops for the entree, vegetable and ham/bean for the soups, and chicken salad and pimiento cheese for the sandwiches. They also offer plenty of sides to choose from (country staples like collard or turnip greens will be on that list somewhere for sure).
The Museum Restaurant serves the whole lunch menu from 11 am – 2 pm, and continues serving soup, sandwiches, beans, and desserts until 3pm. (No hot entrees after 2pm so plan ahead.)
* You can’t bring your own picnic into the museum. If you brought lunch with you, I would head to nearby Norris Dam State Park (see below for more info).
Other Activities In The Area Near The Museum Of Appalachia
Norris Dam State Park
If you want some more outdoor activities, I recommend a visit to Norris Dam State Park, just under a 10 minute drive from the Museum of Appalachia. Stop at the Visitor Center for Norris Dam, the first dam TVA built (1936). Then you can go for a hike on one of the trails at the park or rent a kayak/ paddleboard/ pontoon boat and spend the rest of the day out on Norris Lake. If your thirst for Appalachian history isn’t quenched, then check out the small but interesting Lenoir Museum Complex. Each Sunday, musicians from the area come to the museum for an informal playing session. It’s a wonderful and free performance.
Clinch River Brewery is a kid- friendly place with good food and really great beer. It is just down the road from Norris Dam, about 8 minutes from the Museum of Appalachia. Open Thur – Sun, with live music most nights, trivia and yoga on Thursdays, and a special Sunday brunch menu. During the summer they also have a special Wingsday Wednesday, where they only serve wings and fries from 4-8. I really enjoy the vibe of this place, you can watch a game on the big screen, or sit out on the back deck back by the pond.
Antique Shopping
If you are into antiquing, downtown Clinton has a reputation for great antique shops, with several clustered together on Market Street and close by.
Final Thoughts
The Museum of Appalachia has always been a fun couple of hours for our family over the years. Make it a day trip or combine it with a camping trip up to nearby Norris Dam State Park. You will be surprised at how much everyone will find to do at this awesome museum!
Happy Trails – Amanda
