Have you ever wished you could go back in time and see the way people lived in the past? Well, we cannot physically go back in time or travel all around the world to know more about our history, culture, arts and nature. Thankfully, we have great places to visit like the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center.
The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is the second largest general museum in Clarksville, Tennessee. It is located at 200 South Second St., corner of Second and Commerce Streets. The entire city block measuring 35,000 square feet, highlights large gallery spaces showcasing fine art, science, history and spaces for children. It is the most photographed building in the area. The museum is in a magnificent, large distinctive Victorian 1898 building which was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972.
The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center has entertained thousands of guests over the years. The museum features permanent and temporary art, history and science installations that fascinate both children and adults alike.
Permanent Exhibits
- Becoming Clarksville: Honoring Legacies of Leadership
- Explorers’ Gallery – Raceways, McGregor's Market and Kitchen
- Bubble Cave - learn about science of bubbles and caves
- Memory Lane - life and history of Montgomery County
- Challenges and Champions Sports Gallery - boasts amazing athletes from Montgomery County
- Postmaster’s Office - Museum's history
- Lucy Dunwody Boehm Porcelain Collection - porcelain collection of beautifully detailed birds and flowers
Temporary Exhibits
- Divided Loyalties: Works by The Nashville Artist Guild (January 8, 2015 - February 22, 2015)
- Right Before My Eyes: A Still Life Invitational (January 8, 2015 - March 10, 2015)
- Miranda Herrick: New Work (January 8, 2015 - February 1, 2015)
- Free At Last! (January 6, 2015 - Feb. 26, 2015)
- Dreamer: The Art of Thomas Dodd (January 8, 2015 - March 8, 2015)
Permanent Collection
- Consists of 20,000 objects
- Art, clothing, tools, toys, photographs, and a variety of other artifacts associated to the history of Montgomery County
- Collection of historical objects
- Researchers can access the library, document archives and photographic archives
Model Trains
- Interactive exhibit allowing visitors to control the animation of action and move the figures, automobiles and helicopters in the layout
- Kimbrough Gallery – has one of the largest model railroad layouts in the region
- Historical railroad poster collection - features the history of train travel displaying collectable model locomotive engines
- Trains run every Sunday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Seasons: The Museum Store
- Named Tennessee’s best museum gift shop by Tennessee Off the Beaten Path publication
- Specializes in unique handmade art-inspired items by both local and international artists
- Offers jewelry, pottery, art glass, and woodwork, home accents, exhibit-related items, seasonal merchandise, books, art prints, stationery and educational items for children
- Offers gift wrapping and mail service
- Open to public Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Programs and Tours
The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center offers Educational and Public Programs and tours for children, students and adults. The museum created programs to transport visitors to a different time to help them understand and gain more knowledge of the events, objects, paces and people in the museum’s exhibits.
Visit their official website listed below for the schedule, prices and complete list of programs offered and group tours.
Event Rentals
Besides the great exhibits and tours that the museum offers, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center can also host both intimate and large special events like bridal luncheons, baby showers, wedding receptions, birthday parties, business seminars or retirement dinners. If you want to experience an exceptional atmosphere during one of the most important events in your life, just go to the Rental Spaces section in the museum’s website for more information.
Operating Hours
- Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00pm
- Sundays, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Contact Information
- Official Website: http://customshousemuseum.org/
- Email: info@customshousemuseum.org
- Voice: (931) 648-5780
- Fax: (931) 553-5179
- TTY: (931) 553-5101
- Mail: P.O. Box 383 Clarksville, TN 37041-0383
- Shipping: 200 S 2nd St., Clarksville, TN 37040