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New Exhibit Explores the People Who Shaped Tennessee and the Nation
Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery present Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee, a new traveling exhibit that highlights the lives and legacies of remarkable Tennesseans whose stories connect with and contribute to the nation’s history. Drawing from centuries of innovation, leadership, and advocacy, the exhibit invites visitors to explore how individual actions have helped shape the nation.
The exhibit is an expansion of Tennessee Voices, American Stories, a temporary exhibit commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary and emphasizing how personal narratives illuminate pivotal moments in state and national history. The traveling exhibition on display consists of five double-sided freestanding panels with an additional two panels, which will include regional stories of individuals from Nashville, TN.
“Tennessee’s history offers countless examples of individuals whose courage, creativity, and determination has advanced our shared ideals,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum. “As America reflects on the last 250 years, this exhibit helps us understand how the experiences of Tennesseans are woven into the fabric of the American story, and how the Museum’s collection, built over 88 years, helps tell that story.”
Featured stories include those of Cherokee leader Ostenaco, Battle of Kings Mountain messenger Joseph Greer, Tennessee’s first governor John Sevier, suffragist Abby Crawford Milton, and trailblazing Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Adolpho A. Birch Jr., NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore.
Through these extraordinary stories, the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on how their own experiences will contribute to the ongoing American narrative. “I hope that sharing information about remarkable Tennesseans and outstanding artifacts from the Museum’s collection will help visitors learn
about our past and inspire them to consider how they can contribute to the nation’s story” said Miranda
Fraley Rhodes, assistant chief curator at the Tennessee State Museum.
Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee will run from June 26-August 2, 2026.