Cookeville History Museum
Open Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am till 4:00 pm
Free Admission
About
Cookeville History Museum
The museum houses a self-paced, permanent exhibit on the history of this community, including a timeline around the building that begins with the first people to the area and ends with what is happening today. The front gallery is dedicated to local history exhibits, traveling exhibits and collection displays. We are part of the City of Cookeville’s Department of Leisure Services and Public Facilities, Historical Arts Division. Visit the Cookeville History Museum and let us share our story with you.
Current Exhibit
What Is Happening At The Museum
Cookeville has lost a truly bright light and devoted community champion.
On September 5, 2026, we said goodbye to the wonderful Linda Youmans. To know Linda was to witness a lifetime of passionate service, boundless energy and love for our local arts and history.
Whether she was warmly welcoming visitors as a docent at the Cookeville History & Depot Museums or inspiring creative expression through the Cookeville Performing Arts Center’s C.A.S.T. program, Linda made every person feel valued and every story feel alive. Her dedication behind the scenes helped preserve the rich heritage of our city while shaping the future of young local performers.
Her kindness, infectious enthusiasm and enduring dedication to Cookeville will never be forgotten. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and the countless lives she touched.
Director Chad McDonald remembers Linda fondly. “Linda’s passion for Leisure Services facilities, programs, and events was amazing. She was a devoted volunteer and very kind to patrons and visitors. She will be remembered as someone who could be counted on to show up and help whenever or wherever needed. She will be truly missed.”
Rest in peace, Linda. Thank you for making our community a warmer, richer place to call home. ❤️🎭🚂
Cookeville History Museum Cookeville Performing Arts Center Cookeville Depot Museum
On September 5, 2026, we said goodbye to the wonderful Linda Youmans. To know Linda was to witness a lifetime of passionate service, boundless energy and love for our local arts and history.
Whether she was warmly welcoming visitors as a docent at the Cookeville History & Depot Museums or inspiring creative expression through the Cookeville Performing Arts Center’s C.A.S.T. program, Linda made every person feel valued and every story feel alive. Her dedication behind the scenes helped preserve the rich heritage of our city while shaping the future of young local performers.
Her kindness, infectious enthusiasm and enduring dedication to Cookeville will never be forgotten. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and the countless lives she touched.
Director Chad McDonald remembers Linda fondly. “Linda’s passion for Leisure Services facilities, programs, and events was amazing. She was a devoted volunteer and very kind to patrons and visitors. She will be remembered as someone who could be counted on to show up and help whenever or wherever needed. She will be truly missed.”
Rest in peace, Linda. Thank you for making our community a warmer, richer place to call home. ❤️🎭🚂
Cookeville History Museum Cookeville Performing Arts Center Cookeville Depot Museum
💡FUN FACT FRIDAY💡
What is YOUR favorite national park? Statistically, if you asked your friends, most of them would say…The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it is the most visited national park in the U.S.! (We think for good reason.)
What is YOUR favorite national park? Statistically, if you asked your friends, most of them would say…The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it is the most visited national park in the U.S.! (We think for good reason.)
Looking for tickets to the most in-demand City of Cookeville Museums program of 2026? The Cookeville Cemetery Walk will be held Saturday, September 26th, with shows at 6:00 & 8:00 pm. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/58281404/cemetery-walk-20266pm-cookeville-cemetery-walk?gclid=
Grab ‘em before they’re history!
(Proudly presented by the City of Cookeville Department of Leisure Services.)
Grab ‘em before they’re history!
(Proudly presented by the City of Cookeville Department of Leisure Services.)
Dolly has always held a special place at the Cookeville History Museum. Each year, our Christmas Tree Exhibit has featured a tree dedicated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, celebrating her love of reading and her commitment to putting books in the hands of children.
She has also been featured throughout our Appalachian exhibits, honoring the culture, music and stories that make our region so special.
Dolly’s impact reaches far beyond her music. Her generosity, kindness and Appalachian roots have touched generations and will continue to inspire for years to come.
Dolly, you will be missed.
With Love, Leisure Services
She has also been featured throughout our Appalachian exhibits, honoring the culture, music and stories that make our region so special.
Dolly’s impact reaches far beyond her music. Her generosity, kindness and Appalachian roots have touched generations and will continue to inspire for years to come.
Dolly, you will be missed.
With Love, Leisure Services
💡FUN FACT FRIDAY💡
Tennessee borders EIGHT other states! (Tied with Missouri for the most.)
Who can name them all first???
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ɐᴉuᴉƃɹᴉΛ
ɐuᴉloɹɐƆ ɥʇɹoN
ɐᴉƃɹoǝ⅁
ɐɯɐqɐl∀
ᴉddᴉssᴉssᴉW
sɐsuɐʞɹ∀
ᴉɹnossᴉW
Tennessee borders EIGHT other states! (Tied with Missouri for the most.)
Who can name them all first???
ʎʞɔnʇuǝꓘ
ɐᴉuᴉƃɹᴉΛ
ɐuᴉloɹɐƆ ɥʇɹoN
ɐᴉƃɹoǝ⅁
ɐɯɐqɐl∀
ᴉddᴉssᴉssᴉW
sɐsuɐʞɹ∀
ᴉɹnossᴉW
💡FUN FACT FRIDAY💡
The official flag of Tennessee features a crimson-red field with a blue circle in the center enclosing three white stars. Designed by Captain LeRoy Reeves, it was officially adopted on April 17, 1905. The three stars represent the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee (East, Middle, and West) and the blue circle stands for the unbroken unity of the three regions bound together as one state.
The official flag of Tennessee features a crimson-red field with a blue circle in the center enclosing three white stars. Designed by Captain LeRoy Reeves, it was officially adopted on April 17, 1905. The three stars represent the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee (East, Middle, and West) and the blue circle stands for the unbroken unity of the three regions bound together as one state.
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What Visitors Say!
Cookeville Depot Museum
116 W. Broad Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
