Gray Fossil Museum - Gray, Tennessee

The Gray Fossil Museum (Officially the East Tennessee State University and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum Visitors Center at the Gray Fossil Site) is a wonderful, and relatively new, installation centered around the area’s only Miocene-era fossil site.


Found by accident by road crews in 2000, the site was originally believed to be a fairly common Pleistocene-era deposit, but the discovery of the remains of crocodiles and other Miocene animals dated the site to about 5 million years ago. The road was re-routed, and the Gray Fossil Site visitor’s center was constructed.

Open to the public, the museum features a variety of interactive, informative, high-quality exhibits for visitors of all ages. In addition to touring the museum, one can visit the working dig where volunteers and students continue to unearth fossils and take a peek into the lab where the fossils are preserved.

The visitor’s center includes a film explaining the history and discovery of the site, a large area with reconstructed ancient animals in a fantastic, dramatically lit display showing the world they would have inhabited, numerous hands-on activities for children and adults, and a lab area demonstrating the way fossils are cleaned and preserved as well as allowing visitors to try their hands at fossil identification.

In early spring of 2009, the Junkies visited the Gray Fossil site, and we all had a wonderful time. We were all very impressed with the quality of the exhibits, which were of the caliber of much larger institutions. The site offers a full complement of educational programs, special event programming, and visiting exhibits. Learn more about the site and current programs by visiting the website (which also includes some kids’ games)

http://www.grayfossilmuseum.com/

From the historian’s point of view: Michael really liked the way the displays were laid out, and enjoyed the Appalachian alligator. Plus, it is nice that you can actually walk out the back door and see the excavation. These are not artifacts brought it; they came from underneath your feet, which is a powerful message in the museum world.

From the Educator’s point of view: Elizabeth was very impressed with this site, though it was a little hard for Isabella, in a stroller, to see everything, and it was hard to keep her attention in one spot if she was out of the stroller! The exhibits certainly provide a dazzling and educational visit to the Miocene era, as well as helping even young visitors understand the work done by paleontologists. Particularly impressive was the “dig” area in which children could “excavate” fossils. The “dirt” was actually chunks of recycled rubber, a perfect medium as it did not get the children dirty or hurt them. It was also impressive to see the lab where the fossils are cleaned and see the wonderful variety of creatures who lived in the area in distant past.

From the eight-year-old’s point of view: Nathaniel really enjoyed this museum. He liked all the hands-on displays, as well as the fearsome poses of the mounted fossils! He was particularly impressed with the real dig and the lab areas.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, KY/VA/TN

The Museum Junkies have probably visited Cumberland Gap National Historical Park more than any other historical site in the United States. The Park lies a little over half way between our home in western North Carolina, and Elizabeth’s folks’ home in Kentucky. We’ve made just short stops to use the facilities, we’ve gone into Middlesboro and brought back lunch, and we’ve spent hours exploring the trails and Civil War forts along the slopes and at the summit of the mountains. And we’ve been there in every season of the year: fall (our favorite), winter, spring, and summer. We are also drawn to the area. Both Michael and Elizabeth had ancestors who moved out of western North Carolina and into Kentucky in the late 1700s and early 1800s, and they probably used the Gap to pass through. Plus, Michael has a book coming out this year on a Confederate regiment that was stationed at the Gap in late 1862.


There are numerous historical angles from which to view Cumberland Gap. It was a major north-south road for American Indians. Daniel Boone passed through the Gap, leading bands of settlers on the Wilderness Road; the area was important during the Civil War, and changed hands several times; and there were numerous logging enterprises, a railroad, a new tunnel; not to mention that on its northern boundary is a meteor impact crater. Congress recognized the importance of the area and in 1940, created the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It took 19 years for Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia to purchase the 20,000 acres of scenic mountain terrain.

One of the first stops on entering the Park grounds is the visitor center. The rangers are extremely helpful in answering questions. There is also a small museum inside the visitor center. However, don’t let the small size fool you. The museum walks the visitor through Native American history to the present. There are dioramas and other displays with audio accompaniment that take the visitor on a journey of the area’s history. There are artifacts discovered in the park, along with hands-on exhibits for younger folks. There is also a documentary that airs several times throughout the day. Add to this two different gift shops, and well, you have a really nice facility.

Once outside, only time will limit your exploration. The parking area for the Wilderness Trail area has some great exhibits. There are the remains of a blast furnace, there are tours in Gap Cave, there are tours of the Hensley Settlement, not to mention miles of other trails, two Civil War forts with cannons, wildlife viewing, photography.

We could go on and on. But, let us encourage you to visit the area. You can start at their web site, http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm

From a historian’s point of view: There are a host of historical markers with a lot of good information. Michael’s sure he has not read them all. There are also numerous times of year when different historical interpreters from different areas are on site. Michael does wish the Park had a little more information about the Civil War.

From an educator’s point of view: Elizabeth loves this park. It works on so many levels. The visitors’ center has a great area where children can dress in period clothing. We know from our experiences as interpreters that there is something about wearing the clothes that really makes the experience of history real. This park does a great job of making history a human story. From the beautiful paintings and photographs of excellent interpreters to the exhibits that tell the story of the Gap’s history from the perspectives of different individuals, history comes to life here in a way kids can really understand. Elizabeth particularly loves the area in which visitors walk through an open air exhibit with “footprints” of the Gap’s various travelers—wagon wheels, oxen hooves, moccasins, bare feet (including some very small ones). Visitors can literally walk in the footsteps of those who came here before. This haunting experience is accentuated by the sounds of these travelers and the forest through which they walked.
From an eight year old’s point of view: Nathaniel loves the exhibits that “come to life” with the push of a button, bringing sound and light to wonderful dioramas. He also enjoys visiting the cannons and looking at the fantastic view from the cannon positions.

Chasing Rainbows Museum - Dollywood (Sevierville), TN

A museum dedicated to the career of Dolly Parton may not seem like a terribly intellectual experience, but the Chasing Rainbows Museum is actually very inspirational and even educational. Elizabeth, Nathaniel, and Isabella visited the museum on a trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Of course, the museum has enough sequins to sink a battleship, and outfits that even Barbie wouldn’t be caught dead wearing, but there is also an incredibly inspiring story of a talented musician who has worked hard to reach astonishing goals, while seeking opportunities to give back to others along the way. Among the glittery gowns and heels are impressive displays of Dolly’s many awards, musical instruments, and handwritten lyrics that demonstrate her journey and may prove inspirational to visitors who have their own “rainbows” to chase. Elements of Dolly’s difficult but loving childhood are also proudly displayed, indicating both the long way she has come, and her unabashed delight in remembering her humble roots. Dolly’s educational and charitable efforts are also recognized (although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tailor-made PhD. robe before; my regalia hangs from my shoulders like a tent, but not Dolly’s!). The Museum includes displays on Dolly’s work with the military, the park service (I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ranger uniform quite like that, either), and literacy, among others. Although the museum is a little dark (to protect the costumes) and the hours can be confusing, it is a nice stop for the family to take a break from concerts, roller coasters, and splash rides and learn about an impressive woman whose struggles and achievements, for which she gives glory to God, can inspire and delight. Though boys (see Nathaniel’s response) may not be as thrilled with some of the displays as girls are, the museum is appropriate for the whole family. It is interesting that in the display of film costumes and props, the title of one film was not prominently displayed as it would be offensive to many visitors.

The museum opened in 2002 and is located in the Adventures in Imagination section of the park

Bruce D. Robinson Design Group designed the museum.

Hours sometimes differ from regular park hours, and admission is included with park ticket. These prices vary as well. The park’s website has details.

From the historian’s (Michael’s) point of view: Michael did not get to visit this museum.

From the eight-year-old’s (Nathaniel’s) point of view: Nathaniel liked the awards and musical instruments very much. He was also very interested in Dolly’s tour bus, which is parked outside and is open to guests. The costumes and accessories really didn’t interest him, but he did like Dolly’s signature butterfly motif, since he recently kept a monarch butterfly through its transformation.

From the toddler’s (Isabella’s) point of view: The museum is very colorful and intriguing for the young visitor, and many items are on a good level for a person in a stroller. A free-ranging toddler, however, would probably have to be reined in, as the museum staff are very conscientious about protecting the items on display.