5 Fascinating Museums to Explore Near Kingsport

Finding an interesting learning experience near Kingsport, Tennessee, is easy thanks to the many museums and historical sites in the area. Whether you’re a life-long learner or you want to show a slice of history to your family, these fascinating museums in the area should do the trick.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

If you’re a fan of country music, you can discover your roots at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum over in nearby Bristol. This 24,000-square-foot museum is full of interactive exhibits that walk you through the world of 20th-century country music. The museum is housed in the building where the influential 1927 Bristol Sessions took place, which played an important role in developing the music genre.

Gray Fossil Site & Natural History Museum 

The Gray Fossil Site is an active dig site that allows visitors to get an inside view of not only the world 5 million years ago but also of the archeological process itself. The scientists that work on this site believe that the Gray Fossil Site was created when an underground limestone cave collapsed and created a sinkhole that collected and preserved nearby creatures and plant life. The hands-on learning opportunities this natural history museum is home to make it a unique learning experience.

The Netherland Inn and Complex

Kingsport’s own Netherland Inn was built in the first decade of the 1800s. Now it features museum-quality furnishings and decor to allow visitors to see what the inn looked like in its heyday. In addition to the Netherland Inn, you may also be able to explore an old schoolhouse, a Daniel Boone cabin, an early boatyard that gives a clue into the Netherland’s original purpose, and more.

Rocky Mount State Historical Site

Visiting Rocky Mount State Historical Site is like taking a step back into the past. Discover the Cobb House, which served as the capital for what was the Southwest Territory in the late 1700s. The costumed living history actors make it easy to inspire young visitors to learn about the early history of the nation. During your tour of the 40 acres Rocky Mount sits on, you may be able to see artifacts from the 18th and 19th century, a blacksmith’s shop, a beautifully maintained garden, and even a flock of Cotswold sheep.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

Nature- and history-lovers alike will love what the Sycamore Shoals State Historic has to offer. Explore the interpretive museum to see displays that take you through the 18th century of Sycamore Shoals. Discover the beginnings of the American Revolution, the birth of Fort Watauga to protect the settlers who took this land for their own, and more. You can easily spend an entire day here if you’re up for a hike through the trails that wind through the beautiful natural area around the museum.

Choose the museum that most intrigues you or get a crash course into a topic you’ve never thought about before. Whichever you choose, these Kingsport-area museums are sure to fill your day with fascinating views into the past.

Image via Pixabay

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