An opening reception will be held this weekend for the new “Reaper: Nettie Fowler McCormick and the Machine that Built Tusculum College” exhibit at the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library during the Old Oak Festival.
The reception for a new exhibit, a lantern tour and “Pickin’ at the Doaks” are among the events occurring at the Museums of Tusculum College during the Old Oak Festival on campus this weekend.
A new exhibit, “Reaper: Nettie Fowler McCormick and the Machine that Built Tusculum College,” will celebrate its opening with a reception at the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26.
While Nettie Fowler McCormick’s donations to Tusculum College have been well documented, the new exhibit explores the machine upon which the McCormicks built their fortune. Museum Studies students and Dr. Peter Noll, assistant professor of public history and museum studies, have created this exhibit to describe the McCormick mechanical reaper and the changes wrought in farming and manufacturing ensuing from the mechanical harvest. The exhibit also explores the context through which Mrs. McCormick viewed her philanthropic mission.
Both the Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum will be open for tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The museums will host at lantern tour of the Tusculum Historic District on campus from 4:30 – 6 p.m. on Saturday. Those wishing to take the tour are asked to check in at the Doak House for a tour map and instructions. Costumed interpreters will be stationed at each of the 10 structures on campus that make up the historic district. Visitors may take the tour at their own pace and visit the stops in any order. There is no charge for the tour, but donations are appreciated.
On Friday night, the Doak House will host the monthly “Pickin’ at the Doaks” traditional jam session. A music stage will be set up at the Doak House on Saturday when Carson Peters will perform from noon until 1 p.m. and Lonesome Pine will perform from 1 – 2 p.m.
The museums will also have a booth with children’s activities in the children’s area from 10 a.m. to 3 .m. on Saturday.
The Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library are operated by the Department of Museum Program and Studies of Tusculum College. In addition to the museums, the department is responsible for the College Archives and offers one of the few undergraduate Museum Studies degree programs in the country. The two museums are also part of the National Historic District on the Tusculum College campus. Follow the museums on Facebook and Twitter to learn the latest news and upcoming events or visit its Web site at www.tusculum.edu/museums to learn more about the variety of programs offered at the museums.