Explorers Landing has been a popular feature of the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center for more than 25 years. In October of 2020, the Museum announced a generous donation from the Kiwanis Club of Clarksville in order to renovate the beloved space. Fast forward 15 months and the newly renovated space will open for the first time to Museum visitors on Saturday, January 29 since its closure in November 2021.

In addition to the title sponsorship from the Kiwanis Club, the Museum also received a major grant from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to promote the general health and wellness of local residents. Explorers Landing is also sponsored in part by Clarksville Gas & Water, CDE Lightband, F&M Bank, and Providence Builders.

This new and improved hands-on educational exhibit, titled Exploring Our Town, highlights the different elements that impacted the establishment and growth of Clarksville, from farming and transportation to area wildlife and the Cumberland and Red Rivers. The permanent exhibition aims to encourage healthy choices while educating and inspiring Museum visitors of all ages. The remodel includes numerous engaging activities and learning opportunities, while revamping favorites like the Bubble Cave, Puppet Theatre and McGregor’s Market.

Exploring Our Town provides children with a physical opportunity to discover more about their town, learn of its past and recognize the workers who build and sustain it, while inspiring their own dreams of the future,” said Curator of Education Sue Lewis.

“We are extremely proud of the work that has gone into making this space an interactive learning environment, for those that visit the Customs House Museum,” said Visit Clarksville Chairman Matt Cunningham. “Visitors of the museum are in for a treat when they see the quality of this renovated exhibit and the different ways in which it engages kids’ imaginations,” Cunningham added.

Explorers Landing will reopen to the public on Saturday, January 29. Museum members will have early access to the exhibit beginning an hour early at 9 a.m. The general public will be able to visit beginning at 10 a.m. January 29 is also Fifth Saturday Donation Day at the Museum. On the fifth Saturday of the month, any monetary donation to the Museum is your admission.

Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is the state’s second-largest general interest museum with over 35,000 square feet of exhibit space and houses hands-on activities and special events.

 

Follow the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s website for more updates on the Explorers Landing reopening.

 

About Visit Clarksville

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Tourism Commission was established by the State of Tennessee in 1979 to positively influence tourism in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area by promoting tourist attractions, hosting conventions and group tours, and engaging in large-scale marketing efforts. In 2015, the organization adopted the Visit Clarksville brand. Visit Clarksville is governed by a nine-member board of directors and is funded by a portion of the local hotel-motel tax.

 

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