Exhibits

Enjoy attractive exhibits on Oak Ridge, Appalachia and countries around the world.
The motto of the museum is "please touch".
Learn new ideas, develop useful skills- there is something for all ages.

The Rainforest

Tour our simulated Amazon rainforest, complete with sound effects, a waterfall, a railed walkway, beautiful murals, an observation deck high in the forest canopy, and many trees, flowers, and wild animals! Begin in the Field Station, where you can learn more about rainforests and how you can help protect them. Then, when you're ready for adventure... it's time to tour the rainforest!

Model Trains

One of the most popular exhibits at the museum is the "World of Trains". Inspired by models donated by longtime Oak Ridge model railroader Milton Lloyd and built by members of the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders, the World of Trains wing contains a hands-on play room with a mock-up of a diesel engine and a large HO scale layout called Lloydstown which are open to museum visitors every day. In addition, the wing contains the club rooms of KAMR, a full size Norfolk Southern caboose, and a garden railroad which are open to museum visitors the third Sunday of each month September thru May and the third Saturday in June, July, and August. Call the museum for hours.

Appalachian Heritage

(Closed for renovation) The homestead consists of three re-constructed log houses furnished with artifacts from 1850 to 1880. Each cabin depicts life on the frontier. Students frequently participate by role playing and enjoy this area more than other sections of the Museum.

Knoxville in the 1910s: City Life & Country Life

City Life / Country Life consists of two period rooms, circa 1910, juxtaposed for visitors to compare. The objective is for students to discover that life in this area in 1910 was diverse - country families relied on their own skill, while city families relied on urban conveniences.

International Hall

International Hall presents the culture of many countries. It is not unusual to watch children walking around in wooden shoes and another group 'making music' on an African Balafon. Busy hands are also encouraged to handle selected Japanese Kokeshi dolls.

Waterworks

Waterworks is a hands-on flume that demonstrates the lock system on the Tennessee River. Busy hands send boats down the waterways through the locks daily. Coming soon is a wooden tugboat that children will be able to play in.

The Bird Room

This room is up and flying! The room is filled with bird songs common to the East Tennessee area. Try the interactive table and learn what bluebird nests and eggs look like compared to the nests and eggs of other species. View what the environment of birds common to the East Tennessee area are like. Climb down steps to a marsh area where you might see a few surprises! John Edwards, exhibit technician for the museum feels this exhibit is one for all ages to learn and have fun!

The Dollhouse

One of our newer exhibits is called the "Dollhouse". It is a permanent exhibit located in the west wing of the museum. The Dollhouse is a two story house that a 5 ft child can comfortable fit through. In addition there are miniatures and other doll house related items on display.

Another exhibit - "A Century of Toys Exhibit" - displays a sampling of the museum’s toys and dolls from 1900 - 1999.

Nature Walk

Sample the breadth and diversity of the animal kingdom. Start with ancient sea creatures that look more like plants than animals, like sea fans, coral, sponges. Then visit the animals you might see at the beach, like sand dollars, sea stars, horseshoe crabs, and fish. Finally, visit our more familiar mammalian neighbors, like the fox, the deer, and the black bear, and one animal that our ancestors knew better than we do: the mountain lion.

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