Museum to Open in Historic Depot
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Museum to Open in Historic Depot
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
A new chapter in the preservation of Scott County’s story will begin on June 18th when the Museum of Oneida & Scott County officially welcomes visitors for the first time in the historic (and newly renovated) Tennessee Railroad Depot insiide Oneida City Park. The museum, which previously operated inside The Black Cat on Main Street now finds itself a staple of Oneida Park.
The mission, according to community leaders, is for the museum to serve as a repository of local history and a destination for Scott County visitors to seek a deeper understanding of the area’s culture and heritage.
“We want to invite the community out to see the newly renovated depot and enjoy the celebration,” said Virginia Bruce, Oneida Community Development Coordinator and a member of the museum board.
According to Moe Mullis, who has been deeply involved in the museum’s creation from start to finish, exhibits – of which he was instrumental – not only explore the industries but tell the tales of the people who built Oneida and Scott County. Displays are expected to be well-versed and multi-faceted, exploring the eras and facts they touch – the history, businesses and industry that contributed to the area’s growth and identity, making Scott County what it is today.
“The museum not only touches on our railroad history, but we offer a look into the past from many businesses that have long been forgotten, the people who have passed through the area, and a simpler way of life that is no longer available,” Mullis told SCN.
Among the notable exhibits is a military section that will honor local service members, conflicts, and the many sacrifices they and their families made in defense of the nation. The timing of the museum could not be better, coming not only during the semiquincentennial of the nation, but at a time when heritage tourism continues to grow across the United States. According to tourism industry studies, cultural and heritage travelers account for hundreds of millions of visits annually, with museums consistently ranking among the most popular attractions around the country. Communities that jave invested in preserving their own history often see benefits that extend beyond education, but help boost tourism, support local businesses, and strengthen community identity as generations learn firsthand their own history.
From that perspective, the museum board, which includes Mullis, Bruce, Mike Sexton, Jeremy Cross, Paula Leftwich, James Bragg, and Shilo Shannon, hope to see the museum will become an educational resource for local schools, providing students with an opportunity to connect to their own history.
If that transpires, then, for Oneida, the museum will represent more than a collection of artifacts, it will be the epicenter of a story that’s still being written, a place where residents can reflect on all that shaped them.
Following the grand opening, which will run from 12 PM to 6 PM, when live Bluegrass Music and food trucks will play a pivotal role in celebrations, the Museum of Oneida & Scott County is expected to be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM
