GREENEVILLE – Nearly 400 community members, local students and the Tusculum University family delved deeper into history with a visit to the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum on campus.
The Armstrong family looks at an exhibit.
The two-room museum, filled with historical information about the United States, spent Monday, Sept. 14, at Tusculum, the first higher education institution in Tennessee. People of all ages examined the brightly colored and high-tech exhibits and multimedia presentations in the two-room museum. Guests completed their tour impressed with various items they saw.
“We were thrilled have an outstanding turnout to view this interactive museum,” said Tiffany Greer, vice president of institutional advancement. “Visiting this museum expanded everyone’s knowledge of our nation and helped remind individuals of concepts they might have learned in school. The reactions from those who visited was extremely positive. As a university that embraces civic engagement, we are pleased we had the opportunity to provide this resource for people as they take a deeper dive into American history.”
The presence of the mobile museum on campus is part of the university’s America 250/Tusculum 232 Celebration during the fall semester. This comprehensive series of events highlights various aspects of American history, including those that occurred in East Tennessee. The events also call attention to Tusculum’s contributions to the nation’s success.
Visitors were able to explore America’s founding story, test their knowledge, digitally sign the Declaration of Independence and discover more about influential Americans featured on a Wall of Heroes. They could also read about the Battle of Lexington, the Battle of Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War. Additionally, they were able to hear Washington speak to them, an exhibit many people enjoyed.
A boy sits in George Washington’s chair.
Glen Foster, a Tusculum professor, looks at an exhibit.
“I felt like I was there where he was at that time, and the way he was preaching and talking, if he told me to run that door as fast as I could, I would run out that door,” said Tusculum freshman Zack Radzicki, who is seeking a degree in sport science pre-physical therapy/occupational therapy. “That’s how convinced I was that it was George Washington.”
Eric and Danielle Martinez were two of the local residents who came to the museum. He expressed gratitude for the museum being on campus and called the facility “incredible.” He said it is moving when one considers the sacrifices people have made for the nation not only in the Revolutionary War period but also in every year since. He cited those who have broken financial and color barriers and created and invented items that have pushed the nation forward. Eric said that demonstrates the spirit of America.
He enjoyed the interactive exhibits and reading about the expansion of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase and the expeditions of Lewis and Clark.
“The museum is very informative,” Danielle said. “It gives everyone who can’t make it to see the monuments in Washington a chance to see all the things the country has and the different articles and papers in person.”
She liked looking at the exhibit that discusses the process involved in becoming a U.S. citizen. She was saddened to learn from the exhibit that only 36% pass the test.
Harper Armstrong, right, signs the Declaration of Independence as her brother, Wade, watches.
Emmy Armstrong was joined by her children Andrew, Harper and Wade, who she homeschools. She and her husband own Horse Creek Farms and Little Lou’s Creamery in Chuckey. That business is similar to Tusculum in that it is the oldest dairy farm in the state and was established before the state of Tennessee.
Through the museum, she learned more about the potential roots of her husband’s family. The potential of the farm originally being in another state was something Andrew thought was a bit wild.
The museum also made Emme emotional.
“This is why we can live in the free world because these men were so brave to stand up and they had these difficult conversations and they worked toward understanding that we need less government and more freedom. I have the freedom to homeschool my family and can choose how I raise my family. We could lose that if this isn’t being taught
“The whole purpose of us coming today was so that my children could see more of American history and how we are different from other countries in the world, why we have so many freedoms and the importance of knowing and maintaining those freedoms.”
Radzicki said many of the items on the truck reminded him of what he saw in Washington when he went there to see his uncle promoted to colonel in the military. Some of the information at the museum about slavery aligned with what he was learning in one of his classes and will be helpful if that is part of a test he takes.
Fellow student Rio Little, a senior majoring in sport science, had a good time taking the tests and quizzes at the museum, which showed whether the knowledge he had gained in classes had stuck with him. He said he passed the citizenship test. He and another student, Tobey Giss, a freshman sport management major, liked the exhibit that tested whether someone would have been a loyalist or patriot. Giss also enjoyed the citizenship tests.
A Tusculum University student looks at a profile of Harriet Tubman.
A couple look at an exhibit.
Hailey Cain, a senior seeking a degree in political science, came with her American Law and Government class.
“I felt it was a really cool display of American history and American pride to have this to celebrate the 250th birthday,” said Cain, who liked the Wall of Heroes and the variety of people displayed there. “It was nice to be able to share such important parts of our history with the campus and the community. It was an exciting opportunity with all of the other events happening on campus this week.”
Dr. Jason DeVaux, assistant professor of political science, who enjoyed the re-enactments of the battles, said having the museum on campus tied in with what he is teaching his class at the moment.
“We’re studying the Constitution by design this week,” he said. “I thought this was a good, historical additive to what we’re studying in class. We’re teaching constitutional history, so there’s a lot of historical significance to the conflict, the drafting of the Constitution and the civil liberties that are involved in it. It’s right up the alley of what we’re studying at this point in the curriculum, which is mainly the foundational time of America during the Revolutionary War. So, I thought it fit really well.”
People can review all the other events Tusculum has planned for the fall by visiting https://iasite.tusculum.edu/america-250-tusculum-232-events/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.