Explore This Natural History Museum In Tennessee, Then Stay The Night In This Historic And Unique Mid-Centruy Home
By Chris Dodge|Published July 10, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Reading about history can certainly be a great way to learn about past events, but nothing beats getting up close and personal with the real thing. That is why museums always interest me, because no matter what the period or subject matter, I can see real artifacts attached to the stories. It brings the tale to life like nothing else, and really helps to flesh out the details in a way that is easy to grasp and understand. So to dig into the past of the Volunteer State, take this historical day trip in Knoxville, Tennessee. With a museum of natural history and a stay in a one-of-a-kind mid-century home, this trip is the perfect adventure for Tennessee history lovers!
You will want to start your day at the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture, which you'll find located right alongside the rest of the University of Tennessee’s campus (go Vols!).
You will find a towering dinosaur standing outside of the museum to "greet" you (this *is* Tennessee, after all!). This natural history museum takes you to the distant past to explore extinct creatures like the mighty dinosaurs of old. The culture and life of the Native Americans is a prevalent and permanent exhibit showcasing the story of the Cherokee people and more. Make sure to check before you go online because they also feature interesting limited exhibits that feature all kinds of topics in history and culture.
The giant dinosaur statue is an edmontosaurus that has affectionately been given the name "Morty."
This is one big dino because he weighs in at 2,400 pounds, is 24 feet long, and is made of bronze. He was cast from a real fossil and more ancient creature remains can be found inside. These dinosaur bones are always a fan favorite for both children and adults alike.
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The museum also features a great exhibit of... mussels. Mussels in a landlocked state? That‘s right -- we have freshwater mussels in Tennessee, and better yet: they produce beautiful pearls.
Did you know that Tennessee is the only place in North America where you can find these types of creatures? Or did you know that the state gem is actually a pearl because of these same mussels? You can learn that and so much more by visiting this natural history museum.
When you have made your way through the museum and you find the day long and late it is time to make your way to another historical place to sleep for the night.
This mid-century building upon first glance is one of the most unique houses I have ever seen. The house of tomorrow! It is one thing to see artifacts from hundreds of years ago it is an entirely different experience to stay in a house that is over 70 years old.
This structure was built in 1948 and truly is one-of-a-kind from the outside to the opulent design found inside. With plenty of windows, this rental makes very good use of the sunlight and outdoor space. The stone patterns and garden setting are simply beautiful and a great way to make sure that guests are never too far away from the wonderful outdoors.
The marble floors shine and the open floor plan makes good use of the space. The stunning stone fireplace, the masonry work throughout the home, and the built-ins tell us just how much planning and care went into making this a truly one-of-a-kind house.
After exploring this amazing property, you'll sleep soundly knowing that you have spent the whole day experiencing real history and immersing yourself in the story!
