Fort Defiance (formerly also known as Fort Sevier & Fort Bruce)…read more We loved the little walking path that was here. It shows some of the original earthworks. Museum was very informative. Clarksville, TN in the 1860's was a vital communication/transportation center for the Confederacy. It was a major producer of tobacco and agricultural goods but became an important source of iron (its local foundries producing cannon, artillery shells and musket balls for the Confederate army early in the war). Clarksville's location at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers made it a strategic point. The Confederates in preparing for the city's defense constructed Fort Sevier on a hill that commands the two rivers. On February 19, 1862, Union gunboats came up the river from Fort Donelson and reported the fort displayed a white flag and was left deserted. The Union took over the fort and enlarged it so that it would control traffic on the Hopkinsville (Kentucky) Pike. After the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, Clarksville became a Federal recruitment center for the induction of free blacks and former slaves into the Union service.

We stopped by since we were killing some time in town for a wedding later in the day. The small…read moremuseum was pretty interesting as was the video. If so inclined they have a long walking path down to the river ( beware the path back is uphill). The fort itself is not much to see given it is just earthen walls. Nice views to downtown c-ville. Ok especially if you are a civil war history buff but for all others... meh.

The most iconic building in Clarksville, TN, has over 125 years of documented history. The…read morewell-designed architecture even withstood an F3 tornado in January 1999. It transformed from a Federal Post Office to the Department of Electricity, and now a beautiful museum to showcase Clarksville's rich culture and history for all ages to enjoy. We enjoyed a group of self-guided and museum-guided tours that included story time, a craft activity, a scavenger hunt, and a plethora of hands-on educational fun. The kids enjoyed the interactive model trains exhibit, Explorer's Landing, and Art Studio. Check out their website membership, group rates, special events, and ways to donate to this beautiful museum. It's truly worth a visit. Highly Recommend!!!

Usually I like to tie up my reviews with a nice ending of how my visit to a place was. For this…read morereview, I am cutting the foreplay to tell you how this review ends, so you will be compelled to read more or to skip this review entirely. Keep reading: In a nutshell, this is the place to go to learn everything you need to know about Clarksville, Tennessee. The museum is very clean. The staff is courteous and very professional. The art from the temporary exhibits was profound, sensational, and brought me to another time and world beyond Clarksville. If you are looking for this, please read the rest of my review. ******************** The Customs House Museum has been on my to go list since I moved here. The Museum is open to the public with free admission all day from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. as part of their monthly Second Saturday Free Admission Day. It was the perfect rainy Saturday, and it was easy finding the museum.I found an empty parking space and headed off to the wrong direction. Turned around and found the place instantly. Megan at the front desk gave me a map to the museum. She even showed me a photograph of the music store Jimi Hendrix went to when he was a soldier in Fort Campbell. I wandered slowly to each room in the museum. The most fascinating exhibits were: 15 Over 50: A Women's History Month Exhibition March 7, 2019 - June 9, 2019 March 7 - June 9 Kimbrough Gallery This exhibition features 15 contemporary women artists from across the country all over age 50. Works include photography, painting, and sculpture done in a variety of styles. Johan Hagaman was my favorite artist. I found her statement very profound. It stood out more than the art she created to represent it. JOHAN HAGAMAN | SCULPTOR ARTIST STATEMENT: Passing clouds. Poetry. Climbing vines. Current events. I am a collector of often unrelated and ambiguous images and ideas - not looking for anything in particular, but noticing patterns; and I try to process what it means -- how we have been shaped, and what is seeking to emerge--by making something formal. Being covered in vines, leaves, birds - a metaphor that has become a dominant theme in my work for some time - is both about paying attention and also about how what we are paying attention to determines how we shape our world, and are shaped by and tied to it in a circle of reciprocity. - Johan Hagaman This statement was the most mind provoking Item in the museum to me. It still reverberates in my head. She put into words and art the idea of how we create our REALITY and design our world. She shows this by having vines, leaves, and birds emerging from her sculptures of people. ********* MIKE ANDREWS: A NEW VISION: Crouch Gallery - A local teacher & sculptor working in wood and limestone brings his new pieces to the Crouch Gallery. Included in the show are Andrew's figurative pieces, abstract benches, and wall-mounted forms. His work is simple, elegant, and compelled me. It reminded me of the time I touched gigantic expensive vases made of stone or clay that held skeletal remains of the dead. It was a burial reserved for the very wealthy. Absolutely mesmerizing how a sculpture or vase can evoke zen, calm, and a magical zing. ******* My third and final favorite: BECOMING CLARKSVILLE: HONORING LEGACIES OF LEADERSHIP Explore Clarksville's history in Becoming Clarksville: Honoring Legacies of Leadership. Find out how local agriculture, industry, education, culture, government, medicine, military, and transportation have all contributed to the city of today, and learn about the leaders who have shaped our history. The exhibit also includes engaging computer interactives and a film area. Very impressed with this historical exhibit and the film area. I watched all the films and read everything displayed about Fort Campbell. I plan to go back to the Custom Museum again and revisit this area again. I wanted to read everything about Clarksville, yet my time was limited. ************ In a nutshell, this is the place to go to learn everything you need to know about Clarksville. The museum is very clean. The staff is courteous and very professional. The art from the temporary exhibits was profound, sensational, and brought me to another time and world beyond Clarksville. Thank you for reading this review. 7:07 AM time to have a brand new day.

Absolutely stunning experience. The museum was breathtaking personally, and I truly felt serenity…read morewalking through the grounds. 10/10 recommend and hope to return soon!

Wow!! This place is so cool and how did I not know it existed when I was a student at WKU?! I loved…read moreroaming the grounds, getting lost in all the scenery. It is absolutely gorgeous here. The story and history behind this place is amazing and I love to see how well kept everything is, here. Highly recommend giving yourself a couple of hours to explore because there is so much to see! They close at 5pm and we arrived around 4:30pm, so not enough time to explore the museum, maybe next time. We were able to take several photos of the arboretum and let me tell you, you cannot take a bad picture here - everything is stellar!

I wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't even sure they were open. But I called ahead, and they were…read morethere. It is an astounding collection. It's pretty much a personal collection, sorted out and displayed for the public. I was there to see a few planes, and they have three or four. But they also have many cars, and tractors, and antiques, and old toys, etc. Every couple of minutes I would walk past one display and smile or laugh or gape in surprise at the amazing vehicle or artifact in front of me. There is one whole section of the building, essentially one big barn, full of John Deere tractors. And there are many, many other brands represented, of all ages. There are antique cars, and race cars, and just flat weird vehicles. There's an ultralight plane in the building, and several Vintage planes outside. Spend an hour or two, wander around. You can bring the kids, although it's not really set up for little kids and they can't climb on much. But it is super cool for them to look at all the old toys and interesting vehicles. Plus you can show them what a telephone booth was, and a switchboard, and a jukebox.

We got so many pictures with something in them and the tour guide was so nice and helpful would go…read moreagain!

Great historic place to visit. Sit down stories with me and the kids with "Bear" in the parlor were…read morevery informative and treat.

Just a wonderful place to walk around and explore. Very well kept and great for the kids to let…read moretheir energy out. Enjoyed our time here while visiting Tennessee.

It is a beautiful spot with amazing views. There are roots from trees on or near paths so be…read morecareful walking. Lots of trees in rough shape and need to be cleared. It is nature so yeah rocks and roots are about. Just look where you are stepping and bring water.

My husband and I had our wedding @ this venue and had a lovely experience working with Tonya!…read moreHighly recommend her!

Loved this tour! A hidden gem! This house is incredible for being built in the early 1800's. Tons…read moreof history here especially about the old Hudson Road and the people who would stay and pass through here in that era! The home has and is still being refurbished to give the effects of its original state. This is a must do tour!

I took my 7 year old grandson and he and I both enjoyed it tremendously…read more We thoroughly enjoyed the boat ride through the cave and the green water for St. Patrick's Day was awesome The Scavenger hunt was lots of fun for my grandson

The atmosphere and how pleasant everyone that worked here was absolutely wonderful. We enjoyed all…read morethe trails and the views. Our boat guide was Bri and let me just say, I 100% recommend her. She was informational, funny and we just had a fantastic time with her being our guide. The cave was really neat to see and experience along with some of the history that goes with it. We will definitely return and bring our kiddos next time.

The Woody Winfree Fire Transportation was very interesting. The nice lady that worked there was…read morevery informative and knowledgeable about the history of everything inside the old firehouse. It was a lot to take in. Before actual fire engines, there were buggies pulled by horses. The firemen extinguished fires by buckets of water from nearby ponds, rivers, or wells. If you'll notice in my photos, the buckets have rounded bottoms or are shaped like cones. This was easier for them to toss more water. The first original fire engines are in the museum, as well the pole, and many of heir uniforms and hats. Did I mention this was the actual first fire dept?? Take a look for yourself if you're in the Hopkinsville area.