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The World Wars
Decorated war heroes, daring aviators, an influential cabinet member, a hidden city and passionate patriotism are all part of Tennessee's wartime history. June 1941 saw Major General George S. Patton conduct armored maneuvers in Middle Tennessee.
True to the nickname of the "Volunteer State," Tennesseans supported World War II through the armed services and in their home front activities. Tennesseans flexed to adjust to a long war. Encouraged by President Roosevelt's radio "fireside chats," they purchased rationed food, collected scrap metals and tires. Families and communities planted Victory gardens, living with shortages of gasoline, meat, shoes and more. Tennesseans invested in war bonds and practiced for blackouts during air raid drills. Women's clubs knitted sweaters and socks, produced soldiers' kits and rolled bandages for Red Cross. Communities fed, housed and entertained soldiers. Young and old listened to the swing sound of the big bands.
Tennessee industry, as well as its cities, suburbs, and universities, experienced rapid growth in the immediate postwar years. World War II, as a total war, had touched nearly all Tennesseans' lives, and the economic expansion brought about by the war would continue to have an impact on the state in the years to come.
American Museum of Science & Energy
American Museum of Science and Energy is a center for exploration dedicated to the WWII Manhattan Project history and the science that emerged from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Live demonstrations, interactive exhibits and presentations. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Oak Ridge, TN
Phone: 865-576-3200
Clay County Museum & Cordell Hull Law Office
Designed to preserve and protect Clay County's history. Featuring artifacts of Celina, a historic river town and permanent river history exhibits. ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Celina, TN
Phone: 931-243-4220
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park
The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum honors the life and career of former Secretary of State Cordell Hull, born here in 1871.
Cordell Hull’s name is known locally, nationally and internationally. ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Byrdstown, TN
Phone: (931) 864-3247
Historic Mount Pleasant/Maury Phosphate Museum
Exhibits: Civil War, Armed Forces, doctor and pharmacy, phosphate mining, old kitchen, Native American. Also antiques, vintage clothes, toys, farm tools. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Mount Pleasant, TN
Phone: 931-379-9511
International Friendship Bell
The first monument between a U. S. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Oak Ridge, TN
Phone: 865-482-7821
McNairy County Historical Museum
Historical museum of McNairy County including memorabilia of family life, education, Civil and World Wars, medical, arts, agriculture and worship. ...more
Region: Southwest
City: Selmer, TN
Phone: 731-646-0018
Military Memorial Museum
Come see Crossville's tribute to our military, featuring items from the Civil War era up to the present time-Iraq.
Artifacts from Camp Crossville (P. ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Crossville, TN
Phone: 931-456-5520
National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History
Medal of Honor recipient memorabilia, pictures, citations and award history. And displays of other historical military artifacts and uniforms. ...more
Region: Chattanooga & Southeast
City: Hixson, TN
Phone: 423-394-0710
Oak Ridge Driving Tour
Discover the WWII secret city while visiting landmarks and attractions that tell the story of Oak Ridge, the Manhattan Project and how 75,000 people kept the making of the Atomic Bomb a secret from the world. CDs and tapes for rent or purchase. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Oak Ridge, TN
Phone: 865-482-7821
Screaming Eagle Trail
The Screaming Eagle Trail is waiting for you: filled with outdoor adventure, lip smackin’ barbecue, military lore and country music must-sees. Start your journey on a musical note at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Nashville, TN
Phone:
Secret City Scenic Excursion Train
Ride 1940s train at WWII Manhattan Project facility. Tour guides, equipment displays and facility information. ...more
Region: Knoxville & Middle East
City: Oak Ridge, TN
Phone: (865) 241-2140
Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park
Alvin York, one of the nation’s most decorated war heroes, became the public face of the Congressional Medal of Honor after capturing 35 German machine guns and 132 prisoners in the Argonne Forest in 1918. York was a hard-working, hard-fighting sharpshooter, a simple country boy and a religious pacifist who displayed tremendous courage, calm and common sense in taking charge of his battalion when their commanding officer was killed. ...more
Region: Upper Cumberland
City: Pall Mall, TN
Phone: 931-879-6456
Tennessee Museum of Aviation
Non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving aviation history, advancing aviation education and honoring those making contributions to aviation and aerospace. Featuring 50,000 square feet of museum exhibits, many flyable aircraft, entertainment. ...more
Region: Smoky Mountains
City: Sevierville, TN
Phone: 865-908-0171
Tennessee River Museum
Tribute to the Tennessee River and its influence on the land, people and the heritage of the Tennessee Valley. Five exhibits. ...more
Region: Southwest
City: Savannah, TN
Phone: 731-925-8181
Tennessee State Museum
One of the largest museums in the nation with more than 60,000 square feet of permanent exhibits and a 10,000 square-foot changing exhibition hall. Exhibits begin with prehistoric people and continue through the early 1900s. ...more
Region: Nashville & Surrounding Areas
City: Nashville, TN
Phone: 615-741-2692
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Take a journey into Tennessee's rich history and heritage on the Old Tennessee Trail. Over eighty points of interest take you from...
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