By Meghan E. Gattignolo
When asked what her favorite story is from the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s cemetery tours, Kim Raines doesn’t have to think about it too hard: “My favorite is probably Blanche Lewis and Augustus Tarwater, because I think it’s interesting that Clarksville has its own little tale of star-crossed lovers.”
Like many who have studied history, Kim Raines loves immersing herself in human stories, particularly those from the long ago past. She’s also made a reputation for herself by sharing those stories with others. Kim joined the Customs House Museum staff as a part-time store clerk in Seasons: The Museum Store. Five years later, she’s now the Lead Visitor Services Associate, an important role that extends beyond the register. From giving The Museum Store its charming seasonal atmosphere and lending her creative talents for special projects, to using her history background to enrich visitors’ understanding of Clarksville’s unique past, Kim Raines doesn’t stop at what’s expected to add to the experience of museum visitors.
Going Above and Beyond
Kim has lived most of her life in Clarksville. With a bachelor’s degree in history from Austin Peay State University and raising her little family here, she has important connections to the city, too. While she was going to school, Kim knew she wanted to work in a museum. When she was hired to work behind the counter at Seasons: The Museum Store, she was excited to get her chance.
Kim was the right person for the job, too. Her creative energy is the reason Seasons: The Museum Store has that seasonal charm. Kim is also behind the decorative product displays inside the store, and the window dressings facing the Lobby.
Knowledgeable about local history topics, Kim is enthusiastic when answering questions about Clarksville legends like Wilma Rudolph or one of the featured exhibits. Talking with visitors is in fact one of her favorite things about working in the Customs House Museum. Kim says she also loves “how many people say that they’ve lived in Clarksville since forever and didn’t know that there was so much history here.” She gets to be the one to tell them.
Because of her love of history, Kim became an excellent candidate for running the Museum’s famous cemetery tours. The Greenwood Cemetery tours have long been a part of The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s tradition. Often, though, availability of tours hinge on whether a member of the Museum staff is able and willing to perform the tours.
When the question of running Greenwood Cemetery tours came up again during the pandemic, Kim jumped at the opportunity. With limited availability to visit inside the Museum, offering other options seemed like a great idea. Since tours were performed outside, it was also easier to practice social distancing.
Kim Raines during a tour at Greenwood Cemetery. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
More Than Just a Tour
Last year, after successfully running the Greenwood tours for a few years, Kim decided one cemetery tour was not enough. Though Greenwood Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Clarksville, it’s not the oldest. After leading the Greenwood Cemetery tours for a while, Kim became very interested in Riverview Cemetery as well.
Kim loves leading the tours, not only because she’s surrounded by history, but also because sharing the information she’s learned is so rewarding. Talking to long-time Clarksville residents also opens up the opportunity to learn even more. “My favorite part of the tours, other than seeing how interested the guests get in the stories, is when there are some guests who choose to stay back to share some stories from their loved ones with me,” Kim says.
If you’re a history-lover, too, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy a tour with Kim. She works hard to make these cemetery tours special, with respect to both the living and those who have passed on. It’s also important to her to make sure everyone in Clarksville has the chance to learn the lore and historical foundations for the city they call home.
“I hope that people just learn a little bit of Clarksville history with me and maybe find an appreciation for all the stories and symbols that the cemeteries hold around us,” says Kim.
Kim Raines gives a tour at Greenwood Cemetery. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
Cemetery Tours: Creepy or Fascinating?
You decide! Join us for a Historic Greenwood Cemetery Walking Tour, focused on telling the stories of some of Clarksville’s most interesting people. Notable figures discussed during this tour include Stockade Annie, Governor Austin Peay, little Nannie Tyler, A.H. Patch, and many more! Learn so much more about Clarksville than you thought possible.
Catch the next one on Saturday October 5th, and then on October 19th from 9am – 10am. For an extra $5, you can add on a 30-minute talk with the Curator of Collections Matthew Sarnelli about select items from the collection after the tour. Space is extremely limited, so registering ahead of time is vital to making sure you get a spot on this tour. Order tickets online or register in person at Seasons: The Museum Store.
The Historic Riverview Cemetery Walking Tour has only one more time this season. Next door to the historic Smith-Trahern Mansion, Riverview Cemetery is the final resting place to some of Clarksville’s earliest residents. Unlike Greenwood, a veteran from every major American-involved conflict is buried in Riverview. Don’t miss the last tour of the season, October 12th from 9am-10am. Tickets for each tour are $20 per person, $15 for museum members. The $5 Curator Talk add-on is also available with the Riverview Cemetery Tour.
Meghan E. Gattignolo is a freelance writer and longtime Clarksville, TN resident. She loves to obsess about historical subjects and annoy her family daily with unsolicited random facts. Meghan holds a History B.A. from Austin Peay State University and lives in town with her husband and two children.