Clarksville’s Customs House Museum
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 March at the Museum are: H.N. James: The Urban Goddesses, Bold Strokes: The Art of Sandy Spain, Lynn Garwood: My View, Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado, First Responders and Hands-on Activities: Rainbow Science.
Customs House Museum Exhibits
H.N. James: The Urban Goddesses
March 1st – April 14th | Lobby
Tennessee portrait photographer, H.N. James exhibits a series of work interpreting figures from mythology. The artist states of her work “We live in a time when old ways of viewing women are being challenged and I am pleased to be a part of that conversation as a living woman artist.”
Bold Strokes: The Art of Sandy Spain
March 4th – April 28th | Harvill Gallery
This Nashville artist working in acrylics is known for her strong color palette. Ms. Spain has works in private collections throughout the United States, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Austria, and Germany.
Lynn Garwood: My View
Through April 28th | Jostens Gallery
My View features a Wisconsin artist who paints everyday objects. In 2009, Lynn Garwood closed down her sign painting business to concentrate on being an artist. Lynn’s paint of choice is acrylics. Under every painting, she paints a positive word. These words can be seen and at other times are completely painted over to be hidden.
Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado
Through April 28th | Orgain/Bruner Galleries
This retrospective showcases artifacts and local stories related to Clarksville’s 1999 Tornado. The exhibition is sponsored in part by Legends Bank.
Mike Andrews: A New Vision
March 7th – May 5th | Crouch Gallery
A local teacher & sculptor working in wood and limestone brings his new pieces to the Crouch Gallery. Included in the show are Andrew’s figurative pieces, abstract benches, and wall-mounted forms.
First Responders
February 21st – May 12th | Memory Lane
First Responders includes artifacts and photographs from the Museum’s Collections related to Clarksville’s emergency responders, including the 1925 fire engine that was used by the Clarksville Fire Department.
15 Over 50: A Women’s History Month Exhibition
March 7th – June 9th | Kimbrough Gallery
This exhibition features 15 contemporary women artists from across the country all over age 50. Works include photography, painting, and sculpture done in a variety of styles.
Programs and Events
Friday Mornings in March: Color Me Curious!
March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th | Family Art Studio
Drop-in between 10:30am–11:30am | Ages 2-5, with an adult caretaker
Your little ones will enjoy a rainbow of activities as they play with and explore colors. Delve into a Rainbow Sensory Bin, use science to cause a Rainbow Surprise Eruption, make a simple rainbow craft, and more!
Hands-on Activities: Rainbow Science
Saturday, March 2nd & 16th | Family Art Studio
Drop-in between 2:00pm–4:00pm | Grades K-6th, with an adult caretaker
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Did you know that according to Irish legend, a pot of gold is hidden at the end of a rainbow? We’ll experiment with the colors of the rainbow in this interactive and fun program. What happens to white light when you put on a pair of diffraction glasses? Kids in grades K & above get to take a pair of these funky glasses home with them (while supplies last)!
Try mixing different colors to create all 7 colors of a rainbow; how do you get indigo? Make, decorate, and play with a paper-spinner to take home. What designs and colors will you use? What happens when you spin it? Discover this and more!
Meet & Greet with Former Mardi Gras King, Ryan A. Schwankhart
March 4th | Kimbrough Gallery
12:00pm–1:00pm | Free with paid admission or membership
Curious about the elaborate costumes we have on display in our Kimbrough Gallery? Join us on Fat Tuesday to welcome former Mardi Gras King, Ryan A. Schwankhart. Ryan will be discussing his experience as Mardi Gras royalty and the process of becoming Mardi Gras King.
Sunday Family Fun Learning Day: A Celebration of Storytelling
March 17th | Turner Auditorium
Drop in anytime, 2:00pm–3:00pm | Free with paid admission or membership
This generation of children, unlike any other in history, has the amazing opportunity to capture not only their friends’ and families’ images but their voices as well, not just for the moment but for their children and their grandchildren! Join us as Lisa Eckman, a Communication: Print & Web Journalism major at Austin Peay State University, shows us how to use the technology of today to preserve our actual voices in ways no other generation has been able to do!
This is a great opportunity for parents and children of all ages to get started on this priceless family project that will be enjoyed by future generations. Ms. Eckman will also share information about the National Public Radio Storytelling Project.
First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday, March 7th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
The Museum is open to the public with free admission as part of Downtown Clarksville’s First Thursday Art Walk.
Second Saturday Free Admission Day
Saturday, March 9th | 10:00am-5:00pm
The museum is open to the public with free admission all day from 10:00am–5:00pm as part of our monthly Second Saturday Free Admission Day.
Train Merchandise Sale at Seasons: The Museum Store
During the month of March enjoy 10% off all train merchandise. Choose from a wide array of train merchandise for the train lovers in your life! Members get an extra 10% off.
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
