Museum of Appalachia

To really appreciate the Appalachia Museum you not only need to see the historic buildings and relics collected on these 63 acres, but you also need to know and understand the man who made this place a reality.

The Appalachia Musuem was built by a man who truly knows the Appalachian people, knows them, understands them and appreciates their tenacity. John Rice Irwin has been determined to protect the history of this culture and educate others about the culture.

John Rice Irwin spent many years learning from the local people, learning of the history of the region and finding relics to bring to the museum to help educate others about the Appalachian life.
There is a lot to know about John Rice Irwin and his story is still being written.

Scattered around the 63 acres of pasture and farmland at the musuem are over 30 historic buildings. Most of the buildings are cabins found all over the Appalacian region.

One of the cabins was once inhabited by the parents of Mark Twain. This cabin was brought to the museum from Possum Trot, Tennessee where John Clemens, the father of Mark Twain, lived.

Another cabin of great interest, is the Patterson cabin. This cabin was used in the television series "Young Dan'l Boone'. The Patterson cabin is from Anderson County Tennessee and was built in the early 1800's.

The Arwine cabin was built around 1795, and was originally located along the Clinch River in Grainger county Tennessee, the cabin had to be relocated for the building of Norris Lake Dam and was acquired by John Irwin in 1964. The Arwin cabin is another cabin of interest at the museum.

In total, there are over 30 historic buildings; smokehouses, corn cribs, animal pens, a mill, an undergound dairy and cellar, a blacksmith shop, and a sawmill. The schoolhouse, church and post office are all located on the grounds as well making the complete Appalachian town.

The Museum of Appalachia also boasts a nice collection of folk art. The People's Building houses folk art of Appalachia and there is a lot of information here regarding Harrison Mayes.

Harrison Mayes nearly lost his life in a mining accident and after the incident he decided to dedicate his life to spreading the word of the Lord. At the museum you will find some of the many concrete crosses Harrison made and displayed across the U.S.

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The Appalachia Museum depicts an Appalachian farm so the museum would not be complete without the animals. You will find, sheep, goats, and chickens all around the pastures and barns.

The one most unusual and the most noisy, is the peacock. The peacocks are everywhere and they are beautiful to look at but I have never heard such a noise. These birds can scare you with their loud voices echoing all over the museum.

After walking around the many structures at the museum, visiting the People's Building and the Hall of Fame, listening to the performances of the porch musicians you will be hungry and tired. You do not need to leave the musuem to find a great fullfilling meal.

The museum has a restaurant that serves fantastic home cooking. The vegetables are freshly grown and the pies are fresh baked. So you might want to end your day with a great home cooked meal right here at the museum.

If you plan a visit to the Knoxville area to visit the Museum of Appalachia, there is a place you might want to stay. Try the Cardinals Nest Retreat