A wonderful gem on the University of Tennessee campus, McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is open daily, free to the public, and filled with surprising information. Intrigue begins before you even enter, as the duck billed dinosaur stands guard.
World culture is thoroughly represented, starting from human evolution, ancient to modern decorative arts, and a great exhibit on Egypt.
More so than mummies, which you see in many natural history museums, I was excited to see a panel on sacred animals including a mummified hawk and cat. A collection of antique botanical illustrations of birds and plants housed in a gorgeous stained glass cabinet caught my eye.
I could sift forever admiring the 3,000 hand colored prints, dating back to the 1700s. As interesting as the world history was, the plethora of local Tennessee history is really what captivated me. Thousands of years of native peoples and geological fossils are represented.
One of the largest research collections of freshwater mussels lives in the museum and makes for a unique story. Take a look at 32 species of Tennessee Freshwater Mussels and admire their diversity. Learn how Native Americans not only used them for food, but also for temper when they combined the crushed shells with clay and fired them. Finally delve into the button and pearl industries, which was lucrative until post-WWII plastic. The freshwater pearl is the state gem of Tennessee.
An extensive Civil War in Knoxville exhibit covers the Battle of Fort Sanders and displays interesting artifacts such as a camp drum used during the war and Frank H. McClung’s pardon signed by President Andrew Johnson. You can learn in depth about East Tennessee during the war if you watch the entirety of the 28-minute film attached to the exhibit, Its Memory Alone Remains. Check the museums calendar for upcoming events such as Princess Diana: An Intimate Portrait, and Summer Camp: Fossil Camp for kids.
