Exhibits
White's Tavern
Begin your journey in White's Tavern, built around 1803 on this same plot of land. Some of our current tenants will transport you back in time with their personal stories.
Ascent and Decline of the Indigenous People
Pre-History - 1839
The indigenous world of Middle Tennessee comes to life in an immersive experience, telling the story of the peoples that inhabited this area 15,000 years ago to our more recent past.
The Emerging Commercial Union
1783-1865
What began in the early 1800s as subsistence agriculture characterized by a combination of dispersed farmlands in the valley bottoms and tree-shrouded rolling hills above was eclipsed by the rise of plantations in the 1840s and 50s. Farmers and planters in the area grew and traded with their neighbors as part of a diverse cottage economy. This space will explore the period up through the Civil War. We also see the rise of local townscapes.
Middle TN Moments
A Local Spotlight Exhibit
Curated in partnership with the Williamson County Historical Society and County Historian Rick Warwick, this spotlight exhibit explores the life and legacy of Dick Poynor. Born into slavery, and freed before the Civil War, visitors will learn about Poynor's unique craftsmanship for creating and producing chairs.
Managing Townscapes
1930-1950
Immerse yourself in the history of evolving townscapes after the Second World War. Stories of The Franklin Theatre, Gray Drug Co., Southern Discount, Wilkerson Hardware, Ike Bryan's Dry Goods, and more come to life. Also, "jail birds" from the Old, Old Jail beckon to tell visitors their stories from behind bars.
Between The Great Wars
1918-1945
Through a treasure trove of letters, artifacts, and documents, learn about World War II's Civil Affairs Medical Division's efforts through the eyes of one of their lead physicians, Nashville native Dr. Price Duff.
The Industrial Landscape
1866 - 1917
After the Civil War, the process of industrialization accelerated connecting the region through new forms of transportation infrastructure. The first railroad in Williamson County was the undeveloped Tennessee and Alabama (Decatur) line, completed in 1859.
The Global Landscape
1946-Present
In the wake of new development in Middle Tennessee, the largely rural landscapes of the previous periods have been eclipsed by homes, retail, and expanded roads and highways. Explore the present-day historic preservation story and specific local projects, championed by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and other community leaders.
The Vanderbilt University History Lab & Storyteller's Studio
Dive deeper into additional content, supporting the Center's exhibits and record your own oral history in the Storyteller's Studio!
