NASHVILLE, Tenn. — May 18, 2023 — The Tennessee State Museum will commemorate Tennessee’s 227th birthday on Thursday, June 1 with free Statehood Day events starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Activities include Tennessee-themed Storytime in the Children's Gallery with guests Miss Tennessee America Lauren Dickson and Miss Tennessee Cosmos Amanda Bell; a keynote lecture from the Museum's chief curator Richard White; print shop demonstrations; highlight tours; cupcakes and more. The Museum joins its neighbors at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Library & Archives in hosting free activities throughout the day.
Tennessee State Museum Schedule:
Time | Event | Location
10:30 a.m. | Ms. Tennessee Cosmos Amanda Bell reads for Storytime with the book, V for Volunteer by Michael Shoulders (Author) and Bruce Langton (Illustrator) | Children’s Gallery
11:00 a.m. | Keynote Lecture - Tennessee State Museum Chief Curator Richard White presents "The Steps to Statehood Through Material Culture" | Digital Learning Center
Chief Curator Richard White discusses the steps taken to become an official state in 1796. He will be highlighting artifacts from the Museum's collection.
11:30 a.m. | Miss Tennessee America Lauren Dickson reads for Storytime with the book Count on Us by Michael Shoulders (Author) and Bruce Langton (Illustrator) | Children’s Gallery
12:00 -12:30 p.m. | Statehood Day remarks from the representatives of the Tennessee State Museum, Tennessee State Library & Archives and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park; Miss Tennessee America Lauren Dickson reading of Tennessee State Poem “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” by Naval Adm. William Porter Lawrence; Cupcakes | Grand Hall
12:45 p.m. | State Symbol Scavenger Hunt lead by Mrs. Barbara | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Join Mrs. Barbara on a fun outside scavenger hunt that encourages kids to spot some of the state symbols of Tennessee. Meet in the Children’s Gallery and walk together to Bicentennial Mall State Park.
1:00 p.m. | Highlight Tour | Galleries on 2nd Floor
Enjoy a free guided highlight tour of the Tennessee State Museum galleries. The tour lasts 45 minutes to one hour.
1:30 p.m. | Storytime with the book Knoxville, Tennessee by Nikki Giovanni (author) and Larry Johnson (Illustrator) | Children’s Gallery
2:00 p.m. | Highlight Tour | Galleries on 2nd Floor
Enjoy a free guided highlight tour of the Tennessee State Museum galleries. The tour lasts 45 minutes to one hour.
All Day Programs for Statehood Day
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Print Shop Demonstration | Forging a Nation Gallery on 2nd Floor
Have you ever wondered how an 18th century print shop worked? Join us as we demonstrate how the printing press works.
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Family Activities | Children’s Gallery and Education Suite
Join us as we celebrate the State of Tennessee with crafts throughout the day.
1:00 p.m. | Historic Games | Front Lawn of Museum
Try out some old-fashioned fun with Historic Games on the Front Lawn!
Links to Schedules:
Tennessee State Museum: https://tnmuseum.org/statehood
Tennessee State Library & Archives: https://sos.tn.gov/tsla/statehoodday
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/event_details/bicentennial-mall/#/?event=statehood-day-park-tour
About Tennessee State Museum
Now in its 86th year, the Tennessee State Museum, located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, is home to 13,000 years of Tennessee art and history. Through six permanent exhibitions titled Natural History, First Peoples, Forging a Nation, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Change and Challenge and Tennessee Transforms, the Museum takes visitors on a journey – through artifacts, films, interactive displays, events and educational and digital programing – from the state’s geological beginnings to the present day. Additional temporary exhibitions explore significant periods and individuals in history, along with art and cultural movements. Currently on display through May 21, 2023 is A Better Life for Their Children, Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and th 4,978 Schools that Changed America. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.
###