Tennessee State Museum - Part 2

Thank you Trent! Siyo, hello my name is Savannah McNabb. I grew up on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian reservation, and I currently live in Germantown, Nashville. I pursued my bachelor degree at Belmont University, which is how I met Dr. Pethel. After Belmont, I studied at Lipscomb University where I received my Master’s in Business Administration. I worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for three years as a self-determination specialist. 

You are about to embark on the second half of a tour that explores Nashville’s prehistory, archaeology, and the lives of Indigenous Peoples who first lived on the land we call Davidson County. As a reminder, you should not use your phone while driving. For each stop, you can listen from your car or get out, walk around, and enter buildings if open to the public. Directions and parking options are provided at the end of each stop.  

As you take the tour be sure to tag us on social media @NashvilleSites, and use the donate button at the top to support the free and accessible tours we provide. This part of the tour begins at the Tennessee State Museum, located at 1000 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. So, let’s get going!

As you arrive at the Tennessee State Museum, you're stepping into a space dedicated to telling the story of Tennessee—from deep prehistory to the present day. Located at the northwest corner of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the museum is a fitting gateway to reflect on the history you’ve explored during this tour. And the best part about the museum? It’s free, just walk right in and the staff will guide you to the permanent exhibit.

The Tennessee State Museum is more than a collection of artifacts—it’s a space where objects and stories come together to reveal the layered, complex history of the state. Inside, you’ll find a massive, interactive permanent exhibit dedicated to Tennessee’s past, including a thoughtful and evolving interpretation of Indigenous history. 

This exhibit covers thousands of years—from the Ice Age peoples who first hunted and lived in this region, to the Mississippian mound-building societies that once flourished across Middle Tennessee, to the arrival of European settlers and the forced removal of Native nations during the 19th century.

But Indigenous history doesn’t end in the past—and the museum makes that clear. Videos, soundscapes, touch screens, ancient artifacts, and the interpretive panels highlight the enduring presence and contributions of Native communities in Tennessee today.

Exit the parking lot and turn RIGHT onto Rosa L. Parks Boulevard then RIGHT onto Jefferson Street. After you cross the bridge, turn LEFT onto Cowan Street. Turn LEFT to park at Top Golf and look south toward the bridge you just crossed and downtown as you listen to this stop. Make sure you flip through all of the photos on this stop—there are pictures of excavations from this location.