customs house museum and cultural center

I visited this museum, the second-largest general interest museum in Tennessee (over 35000 square feet of galleries), with my Clarksville hostess and friend on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The first two rooms feature works by local painters or sculptors or champions, but I became truly interested in the museum when I discovered the wide room on the upper floor, telling many fundamental features of local and state history and politics, including economic and social life. As I pointed it to a museum supervisor, this room integrates Clarksville into the county, the state, and even the nation. For example, I learned there that educational desegregation was accomplished only in 1970, or that several US presidents or other celebrities were from Clarksville. A down-floor large room was even more interesting. Besides a space devoted to children, it features a wide miniature train landscape, where trains run every Sunday, and artifacts related to the cotton or tobacco prime periods. I would have visited this museum much longer, had I had the time! And, last but not least, the building itself is historically and architecturally interesting, since it initially housed (in 1898) a US Post Office and Customs House for the collection of tobacco taxes.

just keep them away from the art. The kids museum downstairs has trains and a bubble room. There is a small grocery store that my kids love also.

great place to learn about the local area . give yourself alot of time though, lots to see and read .

Both children and adults will enjoy what this museum has to offer. Hands on exhibits, permanent and rotating, provide everyone a wonderful experience!

Loved the interaction portions of the museum especially the model railroad area. Didn't like the parking being up a hill.

My son & I arrived in Clarksville early for the play, Grease, so decided to walk around this quaint rather economically challenged downtown city and came across the "Custom House." Located in a lovely Victorian historical home has folk art of the region that is symbolic of the region and customs. What it reaffirmed within me is the need for human understanding through creating no matter the educational level, tools or materials available. This charming museum has unique forms of art on wood and whatever other items the artist could find. These passionate works of art are available for the public to view primarily as a gift of many generous people of Tennessee. Thank-you. If in the area a pleasant experience.

I really enjoyed coming here, I didn't realize they had so much to do for you and your family. I will definitely be coming back to this place to bring my children so that they may enjoy it as well.

We loved this museum. A wide variety of displays. Train collections was cool, the art was awesome and the history of Clarksville was very informative. The kid section with the bubble zone and other things they had to do was really fun for both adults and children. A must do when in Clarksville!!!!

The museum is more like a daycare with a gift shop than a museum. If you must go, I believe the first Sunday of the month is free.

Very well done small museum. In an old very odd building that once was the Department of Electricity

This very unique building has architecture and a unique atmosphere that makes it worth a visit on its own right, but since it is a museum, it is a great staple in the middle of downtown! It features rotating exhibits by local artists, a kids' zone (which several babysitters were using while we were there, good idea!) and sports/historical exhibits as well!

i go here every year, it is great for kids and adults, its a great thing for families to do together, and they have low prices

The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is a neat place to learn about the city of Clarksville and its many interesting citizens, both past and present. I took my church youth group here for a Saturday visit and they had a great time. We know it's sometimes hard to entertain a group of teenagers, so I was very impressed by the museum.

Very ugly on the outside, or is it artistic? This museum is a very good little field trip for a class or family. You can learn interesting things about the city. It's very clean and comfortable & the staff is very friendly. It's a small town attraction with a great feel!

The old Customs House Museum is THE location to learn about local Clarksville and Montgomery County history. The building withstood Civil War violence and the latest flood of the nearby Cumberland river. Learn about Olympic medalist Wilma Rudolph and the origin of the 1960's Monkeys son 'Last Train from Clarksville' and, of course, the Civil War and the river floods. I visited the museum for the 2012 Veterans Day ceremonies (Official US flag raising by a squad of US Marines, an interesting lecture from a local APSU professor and a moving interview of two local World War Two veterans). The museum has an atractive gift shop and lots of experiences for younger visitors. I loved the 1950's style diner / coffee shop.When in Clarksville, visit the Customs House in downtown.