Spend A Day At The McClung Museum Of Natural History & Culture

two women looking at paintings in a gallery

You don’t need a time machine to take a trip through the centuries. You can explore Tennessee’s past and more at the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture!

What to Expect

The museum has a variety of exhibits, both permanent and seasonal, that all offer enlightening looks back in time and through various cultures and civilizations. You’ll see artifacts that illustrate daily life for people who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago, both here and across the globe. You can also follow geological findings to explore the history of the earth itself. There are even fossils that show the size and shape of creatures that inhabited ancient lands and seas.

Heritage and History

Tennessee has a vibrant Native American history, and the museum has a special exhibit that reaches through more than 12,000 years of Indigenous life on the land. Archeological findings display tools used for hunting and fishing, as well as pottery, beads, and other items that illuminate what life was like here centuries ago. The artifacts are accompanied by several large color murals by artist Greg Harlin.

Geological Exhibits

At the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture, you’ll get an amazing look into the natural history of the world, right down to the minerals that make up the earth’s rocks and formations. Of course, some of the most fascinating geological discoveries are the fossils found in the ground, and the museum is home to several skeletal replicas of ancient beasts, including the aquatic predator known as the Cretaceous mosasaur. Right outside the building stands the 24-foot-long bronze recreation of the Edmontosaurus annectens, also known by the staff as “Monty.”

Plan Your Visit

The McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture is located at 1327 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests must register for tickets in advance, so book your visit online.

You might also like: Check Out These Creamy Potato Soup Recipes

Tarr Chevrolet

Whenever you’re ready to explore the roadways of Tennessee and beyond, you’ll find the right vehicle for your goals in our new Chevy selection.

Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.