Clarksville, TN – The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is located in historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. Come explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science and history.
In the month of May, the Museum will feature Sessions with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, There’s No Place Like Oz, Anne Bagby: Layered Expressions, Figuratively Speaking: National Juried Exhibition, Illustrated Poetry: The Art of Jim Diehr, A Puppet Production, Let’s Find: Shoes, and The Symbolism of Oz.
Exhibits
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Through June 29th
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to an award-winning interactive experience! Step into the pages of the literary classic written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W.W. Denslow.
Designed to engage and challenge guests to step into reading, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz invites visitors into large pop-up book pages that frame each section of this exhibit. Visitors learn through play with brain teaser games, role playing, dress-up, and other educational activities incorporated throughout.
This exhibit involves 11 sections, or “chapters,” each addressing a different element of the story, such as Dorothy’s House, Tornado, Emerald City, and Glinda’s Castle.
Exhibit sponsored by Planters Bank. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is produced and toured by Great Explorations Children’s Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida © 2010. This project was supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
There’s No Place Like Oz
Through June 29th
Memorabilia from the collection of Dr. John Olson, including Madame Alexander dolls, original scripts, books, autographs, and more.
Anne Bagby: Layered Expressions
May 8th through July 6th
Bagby’s work combines traditional drawing, painting and printmaking, using several layers to play with the boundaries between design and texture.
Figuratively Speaking: National Juried Exhibition
May 9th through July 13th
Artists from across the nation portray the human figure in various media, including painting, photography, sculpture, and more.
Illustrated Poetry: The Art of Jim Diehr
Through June 1st
The acrylic paintings in this exhibition are collaborations between visual artist Jim Diehr and author David Huddle.
Activities
A Puppet Production
May 4th, 1:00pm–4:00pm
Puppets take the stage today to tell us the story of Dorothy’s amazing journey to Oz and back. Paper bags will be provided to make your own cast. This activity is free with paid admission or your museum membership.
Let’s Find: Shoes (“There’s No Place Like Home”)
May 14th & 15th, 10:30am–11:30am
The Symbolism of Oz
May 15th, 12:10pm
Austin Peay’s Dr. Kevin Tanner will discuss symbolism in the Oz books during this Art & Lunch program. Free admission to lecture; bagged lunches welcome!
Contact Sue Lewis, Curator of Education, for further information on family programs at 931.648.5780 or slewis@customshousemuseum.org.
The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 11th for Mother’s Day.
About the Customs House Museum
Located in the heart of historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is the State’s second largest general museum.
With over 35,000 square feet of the region’s best hands-on activities and special events…people of all ages agree – the Customs House Museum is well worth the stop!
The Explorer’s Gallery is packed with fun, learning and fantasy in Aunt Alice’s Attic, McGregor’s Market and kitchen, and of course – the Bubble Cave! Finally, get “all aboard” to see our fantastic model trains. Our volunteer engineers “ride the rails” every Sunday afternoon from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Regular museum hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Sundays. Adult admission is $7.00, Senior Citizens and College ID $5.00, Ages 6 to 18 $3.00, and under six years and Museum members are free.
The Customs House Museum is located at 200 South Second Street. For more information, call 931.648.5780 or visit their website at www.customshousemuseum.org
