Customs House Museum

Past Exhibits

  • Construction at the Museum
    December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
    * Starting in February, reconstruction efforts will begin taking place in the 1898 Customs House Building. This may affect the availability of some of our exhibits. For more information, please click here.
  • Dollhouses
    December 14, 2011 - December 14, 2011
    You can see dollhouses from the Museum's collection on display in the Museum's Lobby. This exhibit features a very special dollhouse on loan from Ursula Holcomb.
  • The Work of Peg Harvil
    November 3, 2011 - January 8, 2012
    Enjoy the Museum's collection of works of art by Peg Harvill, including some of her most well-known prints and watercolors.
  • Painting Tennessee: The Art of Jason Saunders
    October 14, 2011 - January 8, 2012
    Jason A. Saunders is a graduate of David Lipscomb University, in Nashville, Tennessee. There he began his painting career under the tutelage of accomplished painter Dawn E. Whitelaw. More »
  • View from Space
    October 1, 2011 - January 8, 2012
    Since the launch of the world’s first artificial satellite Sputnik in 1957, satellites have dramatically changed the way we study our planet. A View from Space, a new, bilingual (Spanish and English), highly interactive, hands-on science exhibit, will allow visitors to see the world from a satellite’s perspective. More »
  • From the Earth: Paintings by Mitchell Chamberlain
    September 6, 2011 - October 30, 2011
    Mitchell Chamberlain has been working for more than a decade to make art an integral part of his life. More »
  • The Amazing Maze
    July 29, 2011 - September 25, 2011
    The Amazing Maze is back with a brand new layout! More »
  • Call of the Wild
    July 15, 2011 - October 8, 2011
    This brand new exhibit explores the world of hunting like never before. Here you can learn about guns, duck calls, and decoys; not to mention see plenty of preserved animals up close and personal!
  • Gwen Rodriquez
    July 6, 2011 - August 31, 2011
    Gwen Rodriquez attended the Columbus College of Art & Design and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, at Austin Peay State University. She worked as an art teacher until 2009, when she decided to focus on her own art. More »
  • Sacred Access
    October 4, 2011 - January 10, 2012
    The Orgain Gallery will house the photography of Anthony Scarlati starting October 4th. Scarlati’s photographs in Sacred Access are at once intimate and larger-than-life. More »
  • History in the Dirt
    June 11, 2011 - September 25, 2011
    The ground beneath our feet can tell us a lot about our past, our present, and even our future. Learn about Geology, Fossils, and Archaeology and see what can be found below the surface in Tennessee. Touch examples of different kinds of rocks and fossils, and play the role of an archaeologist.
  • Figuratively Speaking: The Works of Buddy Jackson
    July 27, 2011 - October 2, 2011
    A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Buddy Jackson was educated at the University of Tennessee where he studied Oil Painting. He was first exposed to sculpture as a part of the Fine Arts curriculum. More »
  • Art of Ev
    May 3, 2011 - June 30, 2011
    Ev Niewochner holds history degrees from Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado. He also studied art at several universities. After teaching at the high school level for four years, he owned and operated an art gallery in Los Angeles. More »
  • Green Day Clarksville: Recycled Art
    May 7, 2011 - July 26, 2011
    The Green Day Clarksville Children's Exhibit features sculptures created by students from Clarksville's various elementary schools. More »
  • Familiar Floral Surroundings
    March 1, 2011 - April 16, 2011
    Familiar Floral Surroundings is a new painting exhibit by Sandra Vanderpool. This gallery features beautifully detailed compositions that showcase the magnificence of flowers.
  • Taking Position: A Civil War Retrospective
    February 26, 2011 - November 30, 2011
    Taking Position: A Civil War Retrospective is a year long exhibit in honor of Clarksville's historic connection to the Civil War. Throughout the year this exhibit will be changing to feature the many different aspects of life during the Civil War. More »
  • Stitched
    February 8, 2011 - March 20, 2011
    This exhibit includes wonderful handmade wall tapestries by Clarksville artist Ludie Amos More »
  • Winslow Homer’s Harpers Weekly
    May 2, 2011 - July 24, 2011
    Harper's Weekly was the most popular illustrated newspaper of the 1800's. Prior to Harper's publication, newspapers were primarily text. During the late 1850's, Harper's Weekly pioneered an exciting new process that enabled them to include illustrations with the text. More »
  • Ladies First: Womens’ Clothing & Art Exhibit
    March 3, 2011 - May 1, 2011
    In celebration of Women's History Month, the Museum will be presenting Ladies First. This fine art exhibit will feature female artist from across the state of Tennessee. More »
  • Caught in Time: Watercolors by Mary Spelling
    April 5, 2011 - July 3, 2011
    Mary Spellings received her BA in art from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Since college, she has studied with many notables, like Tony Couch, E. John Robinson, Franklin Jones, and Albert Handell. More »
  • Birds & Blossoms: A Legacy of Beauty
    February 2, 2011 - April 3, 2011
    A new exhibit of the Lucy E. Dunwody Boehm Porcelain Collection in the Crouch Gallery entitled Birds and blossoms: A Legacy of Beauty unveils the final additions to the Museum's collection. More »
  • Malcolm Glass & Mitzi Cross
    January 11, 2011 - February 16, 2011

    Photographers Malcolm Glass and Mitzi Cross, currently of their co-exhibit on display at the Customs House Museum. Their photography exhibit showcases the beauty of perspective and light. More »

  • In & of the Landscape: The Art of Fran & Barry Werner
    November 2, 2010 - November 27, 2010
    Husband and wife team Barry and Fran Werner have been creating beautiful works of art together for years. Fran's impasto oil paintings bring lush landscapes to life. While Barry's skillful carving allows him to create unique and eye-catching wooden vessels.
  • Illumination: Aladdin Lamps
    November 3, 2010 - January 23, 2011
    The Aladdin Company has been making quality products for decades. From their uniquely designed signature glass lamps, to their memorable and collectible tin lunch box school kits, the Aladdin exhibit has something for everyone to enjoy!
  • Tom Moore
    September 5, 2010 - October 31, 2010
    Canadian Tom Moore never imagined he would one day have his own art gallery in Tennessee. More »
  • The River Inside
    August 19, 2010 - November 14, 2010
    John Guider was a professional commercial photographer in Nashville, TN for many years. He then made the decision to cut his ties to the corporate world and pursue his own dreams and passion for photography. The River Inside follows Guider's journey as he travels along the Cumberland River and through the mighty Mississippi River, all the way down to New Orleans. More »
  • An American Tradition
    November 16, 2010 - February 27, 2011
    An American Tradition is a documentary by photographer David Robert Farmerie about the life of the Head family during the tobacco growing season. More »
  • Cover Up: Quilts from the Collection
    November 19, 2010 - January 30, 2011
    Cover Up contains over a dozen quilts from the museum's personal collection. These quilts date as far back as the 1830'sand include a wide range of various patterns and techniques. More »
  • German Carte Vistes
    September 14, 2010 - October 31, 2010

    T. Max Hochstetler, Photography Collection

    Carte de visite and cabinet card portraits of German royals, actors, singers, composers, musicians, and directors. More »

  • Peculiarities & Curiousities
    September 30, 2010 - January 16, 2011
    Over the years the Museum has acquired quite an interesting collection of items from past generations. And now we have pulled some of our most peculiar and intriguing treasures for you to see! More »
  • Wendy’s Zoo
    July 9, 2010 - September 26, 2010
    Wendy Latimer is a Nashville painter who has captured the images of our furry and feathery friends from the Nashville zoo in watercolor.You can come and view her adorable and fun paintings of these animal kingdom inhabits in our Kimbrough Gallery. More »
  • Tennessee Watercolor Society: The Award Winners
    July 1, 2010 - August 27, 2010
    The TWS, or Tennessee Watercolor Society, Award Winners exhibition's first stop on its tour is right here at the Customs House Museum. This exhibit features amazing watercolor paintings by artists from across Tennessee. Witness the diversity of the medium as you view these delightful and creative compositions for yourself.
  • In Plein Sight: Art of the Chestnut Group
    July 1, 2010 - August 8, 2010
    The Chesnut Group is a nonprofit alliance of landscape artists and friends dedicated to the conservation of wild and open spaces in Middle Tennessee. Funds earned from the sale of artwork inspired by our region's scenic richness are donated to organizations that help protect local environments and historic properties. More »
  • Call to Arms
    May 7, 2010 - August 27, 2010
    Call to Arms celebrates the service and dedication of this country's veterans. More »
  • Our Waters, Our Life
    April 6, 2010 - June 29, 2010
    In collaboration with our Gone Fishing exhibit, the Customs House Museum is proud to present Our Water, Our Life. This collection of photos by Jim Hancock captures the beauty of regional waterways. More »
  • Collected Sketches: Drawings of F. Luis Mora
    March 1, 2010 - April 11, 2010
    F. Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) was a Hispanic American figure painter, working in watercolor, oil, and tempera. He also produced drawings done in pen & ink and graphite. He is most known for his depictions of american life in the early 1900's. More »
  • Gone Fishing
    April 23, 2010 - August 11, 2010
    Gone Fishing tells the story of the Cumberland River, and the history of regional fishing through artifacts, images, and text. More »
  • Bagels & Barbeque: The Jewish Experience in Tennessee
    April 14, 2010 - June 27, 2010
    Chronicling the life of Jewish families during the Civil War and Reconstruction, Bagels & Barbeque focuses on their historic contributions during this period. More »
  • Modern Girls
    March 2, 2010 - April 18, 2010
    Modern Girls is an exhibit I created in honor of Women's History Month. I wanted to recognize the talented contemporary women of Tennessee that are successful in the national, and for some worldwide, field of visual art. More »
  • Black Reginments War
    February 2, 2010 - May 2, 2010
    An action figure exhibit showcasing African American Soldiers outfitted with gear from wars throughout the history of the United States.
  • Celebrating Dr. Burt
    February 2, 2010 - February 28, 2010
    Dr. Robert Tecumseh Burt M.D. was responsible for opening the first hospital in Clarksville, Tennessee. He was a skilled, cutting edge surgeon who accepted patients of any race. Celebrating Dr. Burt teaches about his accomplishments, and his contributions to the city and people of Clarksville.
  • Ludie Amos Dolls
    January 20, 2010 - April 27, 2010
    From quilters to potters, these handmade dolls cover all walks of life. Crafted with care, each of these detailed dolls have a spirit all their own. More »
  • Paintings by Ross Jordan
    January 20, 2010 - February 28, 2010
    Ross Jordan is a master oil painter from Nashville, Tennessee. Born in 1950, Ross has always had a passion for art. Throughout his childhood, he attended the Scarritt Art College and the Children's Art Museum. It wasn't until after he had joined the army, married, and raised a family that he picked up the paintbrush as a serious artist. His expressive oil paintings are often based on the world around him. Ross's work can be found in both public and private collections.
  • The 3rd Biennial Arts & Craft Juried Exhibition
    January 12, 2010 - April 3, 2010
    This exhibit is the third biennial, juried arts and crafts show hosted by the Customs House Museum. It is a regional competition that features artists of various styles and mediums.
  • Home & Abroad: The Paintings of Matthew Deric Gore
    January 12, 2010 - February 28, 2010
    Home and Abroad: The Paintings of Matthew Deric Gore features 25 "canvased memories" of the artist's travels around the world and the possessions of his everyday life. More »
  • Yousuf Karsh: Master of the Photographic Portrait
    November 3, 2009 - January 17, 2010
    For the first time, since being purchased at Sotheby's, a private collection of portraits by Yousuf Karsh will be exhibited. The Customs House Museum will showcase the fifteen photographs in the Orgain Gallery. Included in the exhibit are portraits of Picasso, Muhammad Ali, Ernest Hemingway, as well as, the famed Winston Churchill image. More »
200 South Second St., Clarksville, TN 37040 • 931-648-5780 • Open: Tuesday Through Sunday • Closed Mondays • Facebook