Clarksville’s Customs House Museum
Clarksville, TN – The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is located in historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. Come explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science and history.
Some of the events in January at the Museum are: Christmas Town, The Nature of Things: Alison & Frank Lyne, New to the Collection, Eric L. Hansen: The Dollhouse Series, Hands-on Activities: Winter Science and Champagne & Chocolate Fundraiser.
Customs House Museum Exhibits
Christmas Town
Through January 27th | Memory Lane
This large collection of porcelain pieces was assembled by Jimmy and Sue Drye of Clarksville. The village was donated to the Museum by the Drye’s children in honor of their parents. Hundreds of porcelain pieces make up the large display for Christmas Town. There are moving parts and lights, and even a model train making its way through the village. Sponsored in part by Planters Bank.
The Nature of Things: Alison & Frank Lyne
Through February 24th | Kimbrough Gallery
The Lynes feature works on paper and of wood from their series on women’s suffrage.
Dane Carder: The Healing Game
Through February 24th | Kimbrough Gallery
These paintings are based on the photographs of Dr. Reed Bontecou, who documented the treatment of the wounded toward the end of the Civil War.
New to the Collection
Through January 27th | Jostens Gallery
This exhibition features a selection of items that have been recently donated to the Museum.
The Photography of Nathan Collie
January 2nd – February 24th | Harvill Gallery
This exhibition includes nature photography by this Franklin, TN artist who works with contemporary techniques.
Matthew Deric Gore: Setting the Stage
January 3rd – March 3rd | Crouch Gallery
This exhibition features a series of paintings that uses the combination of precision and drama of the European Old Masters with silly, punning sense of humor. Nashville artist Matt Gore’ s paintings may be seen regularly at The Haynes Galleries with locations in Nashville and Thomaston, Maine.
His works have also been shown in solo exhibitions at the Tennessee Art League, at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in Clarksville, and in a group show at the Centennial Arts Center in Nashville.
Eric L. Hansen: The Dollhouse Series
January 7th – February 28th | The Leaf Chronicle Lobby
This series of dollhouse photographs on aluminum by the award-winning photographer Eric Hansen features the first run of this series, which are part of the Museum’s Collection.
Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado
January 7th – April 28th | Orgain/Bruner Galleries Gallery
This exhibition features artifacts and local stories related to Clarksville’s 1999 Tornado. The exhibition is sponsored in part by Legends Bank.
Programs and Events
Friday Mornings in January: Let it Snow!
January 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th | 10:30am-11:30am
Ages 2 – 5, with adult caretaker | In Explorers’ Landing
Brrr! It’s cold outside! But we’ll have some “cool” fun inside as we touch, explore, and play around with (artificial) snow. Mold the snow into different shapes and use various tools to exercise those fine motor skills. If you would like, make a miniature snowman!
Conduct a science experiment where you cause a “snowstorm in a jar”. Make an easy snowflake craft to take home. This program is provided with your Museum Membership or paid admission at no additional cost.
Hands-on Activities: Winter Science
Saturday, January 5th & 19th | 2:00pm-4:00pm
Grades K – 6th, with adult caretaker | In the Family Art Studio
Did you know that January 22nd is the 20th anniversary of the tornado that devastated over 500 buildings in Clarksville? To commemorate this occasion, come to this drop-in program and you’ll create a “tornado in a bottle” to take home. Through several other fun hands-on activities and experiments, you’ll experience and discover science concepts that relate to Winter.
How do Arctic animals stay warm in temperatures well below freezing? Try your hand at “fishing” for ice cubes, explore a bin of (artificial) snow, and create a “snowstorm” in a jar. This program is provided with your Museum Membership or paid admission at no additional cost.
Winter Exhibition Reception
Saturday, January 10th | 5:00pm-7:00pm
Museum members are invited to celebrate January exhibitions featuring Matthew Deric Gore: Setting the Stage, Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado, Dane Carder: The Healing Game, The Nature of Things: Alison & Frank Lyne, New to the Collection, and The Photography of Nathan Collie. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.
Second Saturday Free Admission Day
Thursday, January 12th | 10:00am-5:00pm
The museum is open to the public with free admission all day from 10:00am-5:00pm as part of our monthly Second Saturday Free Admission Day.
Champagne & Chocolate Fundraiser
Friday, January 18th | 6:00pm-9:00pm
Join us and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Champagne & Chocolate, a fundraiser to benefit the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center. The festivities include sweet & savory delights, champagne, wine, beer, a silent auction, and live music. This year we’re excited to introduce a wine pull! Which lucky guest will take home a special bottle of wine?
This is a 21+ event, cocktail attire encouraged. $50.00 per person, reservations can be made online at Champagne10.eventbrite.com or by phone at 931.648.5780.
Family Art Day: The Art of the Picture Book
Sunday, January 20th | 1:00pm-4:00pm
Children are welcome at this special, adult event | In the Family Art Studio
Find out what makes her first edition, first printing of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax “so valuable and so controversial. Learn the clues that help identify a book’s age. You are also invited to bring your special book to this “show & tell”.
This program is provided with your Museum Membership or paid admission at no additional cost.
Closures
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center will be closed Tuesday, January 1st for New Year’s Day and Monday, January 21st for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
About the Customs House Museum
Located in the heart of historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is the State’s second largest general museum. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1898 as a U.S. Post Office and Customs House for the flourishing tobacco trade. Incorporating a number of architectural styles, the original structure is one of the most photographed buildings in the region.
With over 35,000 square feet of the region’s best hands-on activities and special events…people of all ages agree – the Customs House Museum is well worth the stop!
The Explorer’s Gallery is packed with fun, learning and fantasy in Aunt Alice’s Attic, McGregor’s Market and kitchen, and of course – the Bubble Cave! Finally, get “all aboard” to see our fantastic model trains. Our volunteer engineers “ride the rails” every Sunday afternoon from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Regular museum hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Sundays. Adult admission is $7.00, Senior Citizens and College ID $5.00, Ages 6 to 18 $3.00, and under six years and Museum members are free.
The Customs House Museum is located at 200 South Second Street. For more information, call 931.648.5780 or visit their website at www.customshousemuseum.org