Complete replica of pioneer village with 35 authentic buildings and thousands of artifacts of early settlers.

Founder, John Rice Irwin is a descendant of pioneers who settled in East Tennessee's Big Valley. His tribute to Appalachian life can be traced back to a comment made by his parental Grandfather Rice who thought that John "ought to start a little museum of these old-timey things sometime".

Today, that "little" museum consists of more than 60 acres and 35 original log structures, including barns, outbuildings, church and school, and homes. There are gardens and an orchard, a great museum, the Appalachia Hall of Fame, a gift shop and restaurant.

The Museum is open daily 8:00-5:00 (except Christmas Day).
Telephone: 865-494-7680

Directions from Alcoa Airport MainStay Suites to Museum of Appalachia:

1. Start out going South on Fountain View Circle toward Associates Boulevard.
2. Turn left onto Associates Boulevard.
3. Turn left onto TN-35 North/North Hall Road.
4. Merge onto US-129 North/TN-115 North.
5. Merge onto I-40 East toward Asheville/I-75/Lexington.
6. Merge onto I-275 North via exit 397A toward Lexington.
7. I-275 North becomes I-75 North.
8. Take the TN-61 exit Exit 122 toward Norris/Clinton.
9. Turn right onto TN-61 East/Andersonville Highway.
10. End at Museum of Appalachia
    2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716

Total Est. Time: 44 minutes Total Est. Distance: 33.39 miles

Photograph Courtesy of the Museum of Appalachia