Museum of Appalachia http://www.museumofappalachia.org
The Museum of Appalachia is a pioneer village/farm with over 35 historic log cabins, barns, and gardens, encircled with hand-split cedar rail fences. There are sheep, goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens, and pigs on the 11-acre farm; mini-donkeys, mini-horses, and highland cattle inhabit neighboring fields. Two major buildings with 250,000 items, house the largest collection of Southern Appalachian artifacts anywhere. The Museum seeks not only to preserve the artifacts of Southern Appalachia but to also preserve its culture and heritage. Their mission is to educate and spark a life-long interest in, traditional music, dance, storytelling, folk art, and old-time crafts/trades.
Contact Jan Marshall at museum@museumofappalachia.org
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
A visit to the Museum is an outdoor classroom experience and begins with an interactive orientation presented by traditional musicians. Students will get to hear traditional songs and have an opportunity to play make-do instruments such as spoons, washboards, and more. They will then embark on a tour of the Museum to view cabins, barns and other structures, furnished in period style, along with thousands of authentic artifacts. There are displays of instruments, tools, folk art, and much more. The extensive grounds provide opportunities for traditional games and picnic lunches. Teachers may download lesson plans originally designed according to the state of Tennessee’s curriculum guide from the Museum’s website. The opportunity to see and experience a way of life from the past makes lessons memorable. This valuable outdoor classroom experience provides exposure not only to Tennessee history, but also to traditional arts.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
In October/November of each year the Museum hosts its Fall Heritage Days, a harvest-themed event designed to provide students and adults alike with exposure to Appalachian arts, crafts and old-time trades. The festival is a memorable educational experience in history, introducing visitors to the regional culture. On Heritage Days students are given plenty of hands-on captivating opportunities to experience traditional music, storytelling, dance, folk-art and historical crafts and trades. Quality musicians, artists and demonstrators who possess teaching skills are contracted as presenters for this event. The goal is to expose guests of all ages to the traditional folk-life arts, encourage an appreciation for them, and develop an ongoing interest in the pursuit of them.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type:
Program Description:
The Museum of Appalachia welcomes the warmth of spring by trimming the winter’s heavy growth of wool from their flock of sheep. Students and families are invited to join the Museum in celebration of this pioneer tradition. Sheep Shearing Days includes demonstrations of shearing, carding, spinning, weaving, and other ways that pioneers turned fleece into woven goods. Visitors will enjoy sheep herding, traditional Appalachian music, an animal meet & greet, storytelling, and several historic demonstrations, including such activities as beekeeping, sawmilling, blacksmithing, pioneer gardening, and dulcimer lessons.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
