New Tennessee State Museum building opens in Nashville

The new Tennessee State Museum at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville. Tennessee State Museum image

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A ribbon-cutting is scheduled today for the opening of the new Tennessee State Museum building in Nashville.

Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and other dignitaries are expected to attend the unveiling of the $160 million Tennessee State Museum building Thursday.

It’s the first time in the museum’s 81-year history that it has its own building in Nashville. The museum was located in the War Memorial Building until it was moved to the lower level of the James K. Polk Center in 1981.

The museum is now located on the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Grand opening events will take place throughout the weekend.

Highlights include six exhibitions, a children’s gallery, interactive tables and screens, and documentary films. A second-floor veranda overlooks Bicentennial Mall with views of the State Capitol and downtown Nashville.

Lawmakers in 2015 approved $120 million to build a new museum. Additional funding has been raised in private contributions.

Admission is free.

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AP-WF-10-04-18 0832GMT