Tennessee State Museum Museum

Tennessee State Museum is the state history museum located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, presenting the history of the state from prehistoric times to the present. The museum’s current building opened in 2018 and sits adjacent to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and near the State Capitol.

Exhibits cover a broad range of themes including indigenous history, settlement and statehood, Civil War and military history, industry and popular culture. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs and public events.

The institution preserves collections, archival material and objects related to Tennessee’s history and makes them available for research and public display. The museum provides educational resources and programming for schools and visitors.

The museum is located in central Nashville within walking distance of the Tennessee State Capitol and downtown attractions, and is part of the civic and cultural precinct around Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

• Collections scope: Permanent galleries cover Tennessee history from prehistoric times through the modern era.
• Location and building: The museum moved into its current downtown Nashville building, adjacent to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and near the State Capitol, when that facility opened in 2018.
• Admission: Admission to the museum’s permanent exhibits is offered without charge.