Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee Makes History Come Alive

The Museum of Appalachia
2819 Andersonville Hwy.
Clinton, TN 37716
Tel (865) 494-7680
Fax (865) 494-7680
E-mail us at: museum@museumofappalachia.org

The Museum of Appalachia in the Norris, Tennessee area is a popular summer vacation destination in East Tennessee. Folks come from far and wide to get a glimpse of rural Appalachia, to peruse the buildings and too see the fine artisan crafts that are on display.

The museum is about 30 minutes from Knoxville, Tennessee. You will want to allow between 2-4 hours on the grounds. Often, you'll want a second visit. There are seasonal changes too. A visit in the spring is different than a visit in the fall. Plus, there are events at different times of the year which bring in many visitors annually.

One of the most popular events is the annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming. Held annually on the second weekend of October, this feast of Appalachian culture is a fun educational experience that the entire family will love. Appalachian crafters come in droves to display their wares. You will find handwoven baskets, pottery, hand crafted soap, spinning, weaving and more. Churches will sell candied apples or barbeque. Then, there is the constant music.

At the Tennessee Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia the music is the main event. Over 400 different performers will be on stage at different times during the festival. Performers are spread out over 5 different stages. Listen for the sounds of folk music, country Gospel, bluegrass and old-fashioned country. (We're talking dulcimers here, not Garth Brooks.)

Other events include the 4th of July Anvil Shoot and Christmas in Appalachia. Both are worth visiting.

A stop at the Museum of Appalachia is a trip back in time. In the parking lot visitors are sometimes surprised to find chickens roaming freely. This is the first indication that you have been transported to a different era. (View a short slideshow here.)

Walk into the entrance and come inside. There you will be treated to more sights and sounds of Appalachian life. If you get hungry there is a restaurant on the property. Food is made from scratch here. The vegetables that are served here come straight from the garden and briefly visit the kitchen before coming to your table.

The Museum of Appalachia has several buildings. Folk art is on exhibit at the Hall of Fame and Display Barn. This helps to give the visitor a unique look at Appalachian culture. Some of the folk art has a functional purpose. Other pieces are whimsical in nature. All of it is unique.

Other collections include antique quilts, Appalachian toys, music instruments, pottery, furniture and more.

In Norris, the Museum of Appalachia isn't confined to buildings. Visitors can enjoy a trip to the gardens. There is a wildflower garden and a vegetable garden. Depending on the season visitors will be treated to a display of regional vegetables or native flowers.

Depending on the season the museum is open from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. In summer, the museum opens an hour earlier and closes an hour later. Inclement weather may cause a shift in schedule. If you are visiting on a time crunch you may want to call ahead to verify the hours of operation.

Admission to the Museum of Appalachia is $14.95 for adults, $5.00 for kids 6-12 and no charge for children under age 6 who bring a parent with them. Members of AAA and senior citizens get in for $12.00.

Special event rates apply for the Tennessee Fall Homecoming and discounts do not apply.

Memberships are available. This allows free admission for one full year. Information on memberships for the Museum of Appalachia can be downloaded from their website. Click here for details.

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Sources
Personal Experience
Museum of Appalachia