State celebrates inauguration day: Local attractions free to public
Three Main Street attractions will be joining in on inauguration day festivities as Gov.-elect Phil Bredesen takes office Saturday.
In a state-wide effort to encourage residents to celebrate Tennessee, about 100 cultural attractions are planning to participate in and encourage an event called “Family Day.”
Statewide, about 40 attractions that normally charge admission fees are to open their doors free of charge from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. About 60 more that normally do not charge admission are planning to promote Family Day in their local areas, according to a release by the governor-elect’s office.
Locally, The Southern Museum & Galleries of Photography, Culture and History will be offering free admission during a grand opening on Main Street. The museum has been relocated from Morford Street to Main Street and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The museum will be housed in The Brinkley Building at 210 E. Main St. It will feature a small gift shop featuring historic books, antique jewelry, Susan DeMay pottery and art work by museum owner/curator Monty Wanamaker as well as art work by Chris Keathley.
Wanamaker said he does not plan to charge any admission in the future, but plans to make the day otherwise celebratory by offering unique historical books.
“Since this is a state-wide event, we wanted to become a part of the celebration,” Wanamaker said, noting the event is not necessarily a partisan one.
At Magness Library manager Mary Robbins said the library is planning to set up a display of Tennessee history and offer refreshments and cookies Saturday. Also, The Collection Caf? was said to be offering a free desert with lunch.
In a statement, Bredesen said the event is planned to help citizens enjoy what Tennessee has to offer.
“I’m pleased that so many organizations agreed to open their doors on this special day. These attractions demonstrate the very best that Tennessee has to offer.”
Some attractions offering free admission Saturday afternoon include Nashville’s Adventure Science Center, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, The Nashville Zoo, The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, the Tennessee State Museum and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Closer to home, the Arts Center of Cannon County in Woodbury and Cookeville’s Depot Museum are also planning to participate Saturday afternoon.
Participation in inaugural events was coordinated in part by Main Street McMinnville, which was contacted to gauge local participation, Main Street McMinnville Director Amy Jo Stanford said.