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.
Some of the events in May at the Museum are: Cast of Blues, Carol LeBaron: Life Source, Free Saturday Family Day: Amazing Mammals, Cumberland River – An American Legacy, Erosion: Studies of Finite Permanence, Working the Spirit Close to Home: The Portraits of William Stamms Shackelford and Taking a Look at Cave Johnson.
Exhibits
Cast of Blues
Through May 25th
A celebration of Mississippi’s rich musical heritage, the exhibition A Cast of Blues features 15 resin-cast masks of blues legends created by artist Sharon McConnell-Dickerson, as well as 15 color photographs of performers and of juke joints by acclaimed photographer Ken Murphy.
Carol LeBaron: Life Source
May 5th – July 31st
Tennessee artist Carol LeBaron transforms remembered light to imagery, collecting fragments from both the landscape of her remembered experience and observation of natural forms.
Cumberland River – An American Legacy
May 5th – July 31st
This series of plein air paintings by Larry Richardson explore the Cumberland River. Sponsored in part by Legends Bank.
Erosion: Studies of Finite Permanence
May 3rd – May 29th
Artist Lauren Brady uses layers of transparency and texture in her landscape paintings, exploring the development that occurs with time and what is seen in retrospect.
Working the Spirit Close to Home: The Portraits of William Stamms Shackelford
May 5th – July 31st
This gathering of paintings by William Stamms Schackelford showcases his unique depictions of various people, including portraits of the Clarksville Shackelford family. Sponsored in part by Tennessee State Museum, Austin Peay Department of Art & Design.
Taking a Look at Cave Johnson
May 5th – July 31st
Take a closer look at the life of Clarksvillian Cave Johnson. Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1828, and later served as president of the Bank of Tennessee from 1854 to 1860.
He was also a close friend and advisor to James K. Polk during his successful presidential campaign.
Leisure Time
May 5th – August 7th
This exhibit explores the theme of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor leisure activities in the area with objects from the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s permanent collection.
Activities
Lauren Brady: Gallery Talk
Thursday, May 5th, 6:15pm
Artist Lauren Brady discusses her work in the exhibit Erosion: Studies of Finite Permanence. Admission is free.
Story & Craft Time: Brought to You by the Letter “M”
10:30am – 11:00am.
Join Ms. Sue for a story and a craft. This month is all about the letter “M”. Activities are free with your museum membership or paid admission. May 5th: Mother; May 11th: Mice; May 19th: Music (with live music by Justin Taylor); May 25th: May Flowers.
Free Saturday Family Day: Amazing Mammals!
May 14th, 10:00am – 4:30pm
We’re celebrating the mammals whose names begin with the letter “M” this Family Day. There will be toy monkeys to play with, moose masks to make, mice stories to read, moles to match, and much more.
The Art of the Picture Book: the Winnie-the-Pooh Stories
May 10th, 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Contrary to what many people think, Winnie-the-Pooh was not Walt Disney’s creation. It was Ernest Howard Shepard, an English artist and book illustrator, who first brought him to life in “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A. A. Milne. (1926). Please join us in the auditorium for a discussion about E.H. Shepard, A.A. Milne, and their much-loved bear.
All activities are free with your paid admission or museum membership. For more information contact Ms. Sue at sue@customshousemuseum.org or 931.648.5780 ext. 28.
The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center will be closed Sunday, May 8th 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. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1898 as a U.S. Post Office and Customs House for the flourishing tobacco trade. Incorporating a number of architectural styles, the original structure is one of the most photographed buildings in the region.
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
