Tennessee State Museum
A free state history museum that covers Tennessee's full story, from ancient Indigenous peoples to the Civil War and the civil rights movement.
The Tennessee State Museum moved in 2018 into a new building beside the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Admission is free. The permanent exhibition traces 13,000 years of Tennessee's history in chronological order. It covers Indigenous cultures, early settlement, the Civil War, the civil rights movement, and musical traditions. Exhibits include rare old maps, Civil War flags, and handicrafts. There is also an interactive area for children. A visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It is closed on Mondays, and you can pair it with the Farmers' Market and the State Capitol.
Opening hours
Closed Mondays; 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
- Nashville Farmers' Market
- Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
- Tennessee State Capitol
- Printers Alley
- Frist Art Museum
- Ryman Auditorium
- National Museum of African American Music