Alcoa, Tennessee, is a small city that has a rich history. It also offers plenty of opportunities to learn and see something new. Whether you like art or history, you know you’ll have a great experience when you check out these museums you don’t want to miss near Alcoa.
Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site
You can see what school was like in the early days of America when you plan a visit to the Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site. This single-room schoolhouse was constructed in 1794. It’s also the spot where Sam Houston taught before he fought in the War of 1812. At the site, costumed museum interpreters bring history to life and help answer any questions you have about the schoolhouse and artifacts. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about old-fashioned chores, such as quilting, making candles, and washboard laundering.
Knoxville Museum of Art
If you love art, a visit to the Knoxville Museum of Art is a must. The primary mission of this museum is to present the artists and art of East Tennessee. The museum has five galleries and two outdoor garden areas. One of the most popular exhibits in the museum is Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee. This permanent collection highlights the works of noted native artists, including Catherine Wiley, Bessie Harvey, Beauford Delaney, and Lloyd Branson.
Marble Springs State Historic Site
Marble Springs State Historic Site preserves and protects the last home of Tennessee’s first governor, John Sevier. The historic site features a period tavern, cabin, kitchen, spring house, and loom house to help you learn more about the state’s early frontier history. Activities at the historic site include touring the structures, taking a walk on the surrounding nature trails, enjoying a picnic in the pavilion, and browsing the gift shop for locally made gifts and other special souvenirs.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is on the University of Tennessee campus. It features a variety of exhibits that focus on archaeology, natural history, anthropology, and local history. Popular permanent exhibits at the museum include Ancient Egypt: The Eternal Voice, Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee, Geology and Fossil History of Tennessee, Human Origins: Searching for Our Fossil Ancestors, Tennessee Freshwater Mussels, The Civil War in Knoxville: The Battle of Fort Sanders, and The Decorative Experience, which looks at art in human culture.
Cades Cove Museum
The Cades Cove Museum is in the Thompson-Brown Log House. Here you’ll find a collection of pioneer family relics and furnishings that give you a better idea of what life was like in the past. During your visit, make sure you also take time to stop by the gift store and browse its unique selection of merchandise. You can find maps, books, clothing, calendars, DVDs, tote bags, and more.
From dinosaur fossils to one-room schoolhouses, these top museums near Alcoa offer something exciting and educational that you don’t want to miss.
Connect with us
