Tenn. Agricultural Museum Earns Three Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Agricultural Museum was recently recognized for its accomplishments at the annual Tennessee Association of Museums Conference in Jackson, Tenn.

“This is a great accomplishment for the museum,” said Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “We’re proud of the work the museum is doing everyday by educating students and citizens about importance of Tennessee’s agricultural past and present.”

The museum earned three awards including:

• Award of excellence in exemplary communication was given for a 32-page activity book, Through the Garden Gate: A Ladybug Adventure. The book features coloring pages, games, puzzles and a unifying garden story. It spotlights the agricultural museum and traditional farm life.
• Award of commendation was given for the museum’s heirloom garden, an interactive area designed to capture the interest and imagination of visitors of all ages.
• Award for educational outreach program was given for Pioneer Journey, which features a traveling trunk with objects and activities that can be used in the classroom. The program helps students understand the daily life of historical figures like Tennessean James Robertson and his family.

Established in 1979, the Tennessee Agricultural Museum is operated by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and features an extensive collection of home and farm artifacts from the 19th and early 20th century.  The collection is housed in a renovated plantation-style barn at the Ellington Agricultural Center.  Log cabins, a turn-of-the-century farm house, a wooded trail and seasonal gardens are adjacent to the museum.

The museum reaches more than 29,000 people each year through attendance, educational programs and other outreach.

For more information about special events and activities at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum, call (615) 837-5197 or visit www.tnagmuseum.org.