An exhibit that explores experiences of Tusculum College alumni in the Civil War and the effect of the war on the college is now open at the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library on campus.
“Scholars then Soldiers: Tusculum College and the American Civil War” is a student-produced exhibit focusing on the experiences of 19 Tusculum alumni who fought during the war. Some alumni fought for the Union and others for the Confederacy.
The exhibit also examines how the Civil War affected the operations of Tusculum. The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library is housed inside the “Old College” building, which was the only building on what is now the main Greeneville campus at the time of the war.
Museum studies students worked diligently throughout the past six months to put the exhibit together. Those students include Erika Allison of Alpharetta, Ga.; George Blalock of Greeneville; Katherine Dooly of Chuckey; David Kite of Dandridge; Clare McBeth of Martin; Corrine Moore of Jonesborough; Tynan Shadle of Lubbock, Texas; Sandy Salmons of Greeneville; Emily Shipsey of Nashville; Chelsea White of Mansfield, Ohio, and Erika Witt of Roanoke, Va.
The students developed the initial idea for the exhibit, conducted research, wrote label copy, built artifact mounts and produced the graphics for the text panels.
“The students have done a remarkable amount of research and exhibit design work in a short amount of time,” said Dr. Peter Noll, assistant professor of museum studies. “They are excited to premier the efforts of their hard work.”
The students invite the public to come and visit the exhibit and also express thanks to the generous donors who made the exhibit possible. An opening reception was held on March 17 at the museum.
“Scholars then Soldiers” will be on display through the remainder of the Civil War Sesquicentennial in 2015. The museum is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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.
Students who helped create the exhibit greeted visitors during the opening reception for the exhibit on March 17. From left are Clare McBeth, Corrine Moore, Sandy Salmons, Katherine Dooly, Chelsea White, Erika Allison, Emily Shipsey, Tynan Shadle and David Kite. Aaron Franklin, a field guide/naturalist major from Johnson City, and volunteer Meghan Houk, at right, dressed in period costume for the reception.
