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There is so much to see in this general interest museum. The Custom House Museum and Cultural Center is a great place to visit when you are in Clarksville, TN. Built in 1898 as Clarksville’s first U.S. Post Office and Customs House during the peak of the tobacco trade, this historic structure is now one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Today, it’s a vibrant museum that offers something for everyone.
Visitors can wander through fascinating permanent exhibits showcasing local history, view rotating fine art displays, and enjoy the bustling family fun center. The museum also hosts engaging events and programs, plus features one of the largest model train displays in the region.
Challenge & Champions
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Challenge & Champions highlights several amazing athletes from Montgomery County. See Jeff Purvis’ racecar, Wilma Rudolph’s relay baton, Billy Copeland’s street luge, and a rotating exhibit of artifacts from the Museum’s collection.
Born in 1959, Jeff Purvis is a celebrated stock car driver from Clarksville, Tennessee, known for his success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With multiple wins under his belt, Purvis became a respected figure in motorsports and gained recognition in his hometown. His career, marked by achievements and challenges—including a severe accident—made him an inspiring figure for racing enthusiasts in Clarksville and beyond. Purvis’s legacy highlights determination and skill, cementing his place in the community’s sports history.
Wilma Rudolph, born in 1940 in Clarksville, Tennessee, overcame childhood polio to become an Olympic legend. Defying the odds, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics at the 1960 Rome Games. Her groundbreaking achievements and resilience inspired countless others and opened doors for women and African American athletes in sports.
Becoming Clarksville
Through information placards, videos, audio, and photographs, Heritage Hall (previously the U.S. post office) illustrates the history of Clarksville in detail. Explore how the city was settled and discover the importance of tobacco and riverboats. See how the Civil War influenced Clarksville and learn about the continuing effects of US Army base Fort Campbell.
Memory Lane Gallery
The museum’s permanent collection includes antique vehicles (fire engines, a horse-drawn hearse, and a hose buggy) and faux storefronts complete with period-appropriate wares on display). Included is an 1842 log house that Barnabus Powers built in Palmyra, Tennessee, depicting life in rural Montgomery County.
Exploring Our Town
Families will especially enjoy Explorers Landing, home to Exploring Our Town—an interactive children’s exhibit highlighting Clarksville’s development through farming, transportation, and the nearby rivers. Kids can dive into fun activities like building models, putting on shows at the Puppet Theatre, and shopping at McGregor’s Market. A highlight is the Bubble Cave, where kids can play with water and make huge bubbles with unique tools. I endeavour to respect family play time, and I don’t have many pictures of the family play area but it is an area you don’t want to miss!
Model Train Collection
Trains are not just for children. The Model Train Collection is a room full of seasonal trains, landscapes, and vignettes. Five trains run the circular tracks and are changed for the seasons and holiday celebrations. I visited in the fall and loved their Halloween display. This is a very intricate exhibit, and it is worth spending some time speaking to the volunteer train conductors who set up and run the trains.
There are whistles, bridges, lights, people moving around, and even a Ferris wheel. This is interactive, with plenty of buttons to push and trains to enjoy. Watching a small boy and his dad observe the trains for what seemed like forever was so joyful!
40th Anniversary Exhibits – Special Exhibit
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center has collected over 22,000 pieces of unique objects, artworks, and historical artifacts over the past four decades since the Museum opened in 1984. Marking its 40th anniversary, the museum has curated a special retrospective featuring favorite exhibits, posters, and artifacts from each year.
This exhibit offers a glimpse into past highlights and memorable displays, showcasing how the museum has evolved. A particularly treasured piece is the spire blown off during the 1999 tornado that struck Clarksville. Remarkably, the spire was recovered several blocks away near Austin Peay State University.
John Sharp: En Route – Temporary Art Exhibit
I was captivated by the temporary exhibit featuring Tennessee-based artist Johnn Sharp. Sharp, who grew up in Michigan and studied and worked in Chicago, moved to Clarksville in 2016 to become an art educator.
Working almost exclusively as a photorealist artist, John Sharp’s greatest passion is the urban landscape. His pieces feature neon signs, abandoned spaces, and forgotten objects left to the elements. Working in 2D and 3D, he brings a poignant viewpoint to objects and places we would not consider important. Sharp’s purpose as an artist is to capture the beauty of decades of rust and slow decay.
En Route is an exhibition of places he has loaded as ‘en route to your destination’ in the GPS while traveling on family road trips. There is a chance the location is there and, at times, not, but after taking multiple pictures from different angles, Sharp will then paint the image. When you see these beautiful works of art, you will be amazed that they are not photographs or illustrations. It is wonderful to see this true artistry in this developing age of AI-generated images.
FAQ
Where is the Customs House & Museum Located?
- 200 South 2nd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040
- Tel: 931.648.5780
What are the Admission Fees?
- Free for Museum Members
- $12 Adults (18-64)
- $9 Adult Military, College Students, Seniors (65+) and CMCSS Teachers
- $5 Children (3-17)
- Free for children 2 and under
What are the hours for The Customs House & Museum?
- 10 am – 5 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays
- 1 – 5 pm, Sundays
- Closed Mondays and major holidays
Is the museum accessible for individuals with disabilities?
Yes, the museum provides accommodations for visitors with disabilities. There is an elevator and wide entranceways to the exhibits. Contact the museum directly for specific details on accessibility.
Is the Customs House & Museum on Social Media
Additional Post on Tennessee:
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- Battle of Franklin – Three Historic Sites Not to Miss in Franklin, TN
- 10 Things To Do in Townsend, TN: The Peaceful Side of The Smokies
- The 21 Most Popular Dollywood Theme Park Rides
I was a guest of Visit ClarksvilleTN as part of a media trip. I visited the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, and other attractions. All my opinions are my own.
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