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
💡FUN (Southern-Food) FACT FRIDAY💡
Happy Juneteenth Edition
Tea wasn’t always sweet: Sweet tea became widespread in the South after ice became more available and sugar prices dropped in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Recipe cards were family archives: In many Southern households, recipes for desserts, main courses and holiday dishes were handwritten and passed through generations like family heirlooms.
Fried chicken has global roots: Southern fried chicken reflects culinary influences from Scottish frying techniques and West African seasoning traditions — history on a plate.
Church suppers helped preserve local food traditions: Community gatherings and potlucks became important ways Southern families shared recipes and kept regional dishes alive.
Okra traveled across the Atlantic: Okra came to the American South through transatlantic enslavement and became a key ingredient in many Southern dishes, especially gumbo.
Dominance of the color red on the Juneteenth menu: Red velvet cake, strawberry soda, barbecue, watermelon, hibiscus tea...red foods are the culinary centerpiece of the holiday. According to food historian Michael Twitty, the tradition of eating red foods likely came from the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo people brought to Texas in the 19th century. The color red represents power, sacrifice and transformation in both of those cultures.
Happy Juneteenth Edition
Tea wasn’t always sweet: Sweet tea became widespread in the South after ice became more available and sugar prices dropped in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Recipe cards were family archives: In many Southern households, recipes for desserts, main courses and holiday dishes were handwritten and passed through generations like family heirlooms.
Fried chicken has global roots: Southern fried chicken reflects culinary influences from Scottish frying techniques and West African seasoning traditions — history on a plate.
Church suppers helped preserve local food traditions: Community gatherings and potlucks became important ways Southern families shared recipes and kept regional dishes alive.
Okra traveled across the Atlantic: Okra came to the American South through transatlantic enslavement and became a key ingredient in many Southern dishes, especially gumbo.
Dominance of the color red on the Juneteenth menu: Red velvet cake, strawberry soda, barbecue, watermelon, hibiscus tea...red foods are the culinary centerpiece of the holiday. According to food historian Michael Twitty, the tradition of eating red foods likely came from the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo people brought to Texas in the 19th century. The color red represents power, sacrifice and transformation in both of those cultures.
BIG THANKS to the Tennessee Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial for making our cool new mural possible! 🇺🇸🌸
A new piece of Tennessee history is making a colorful statement in Cookeville.
Stop by the Cookeville History Museum to see a stunning new exterior mural by Tennessee artist Katie Tyler. Sponsored by the Tennessee Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, the mural celebrates Cookeville's rich heritage through the design of a vintage postcard, featuring beloved local landmarks like the train depot and Putnam County Courthouse. Look closely and you'll even spot the city's founding date in the postmark.
Stop by the Cookeville History Museum to see a stunning new exterior mural by Tennessee artist Katie Tyler. Sponsored by the Tennessee Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, the mural celebrates Cookeville's rich heritage through the design of a vintage postcard, featuring beloved local landmarks like the train depot and Putnam County Courthouse. Look closely and you'll even spot the city's founding date in the postmark.
History Hike today 1030am - 230pm! 🌻 Join in the fun and you could win a prize from Outdoor Experience!
💡FUN (Southern-Food) FACT FRIDAY💡
Biscuits became a Southern staple because of soft wheat: The South’s climate was ideal for growing soft winter wheat, which helped create the tender biscuits we associate with Southern cooking today.
Cast iron cookware was often passed down like jewelry: Many Southern families treasured cast iron skillets for generations, seasoning them over decades and attaching memories to every meal cooked inside.
Barbecue traditions tell regional stories: Different Southern regions developed distinct barbecue styles based on local ingredients, cultures and cooking methods—from vinegar sauces to dry rubs.
Soul food recipes preserved both survival and celebration: Many dishes associated with soul food were created from resourcefulness, family traditions and African culinary knowledge carried through generations.
Biscuits became a Southern staple because of soft wheat: The South’s climate was ideal for growing soft winter wheat, which helped create the tender biscuits we associate with Southern cooking today.
Cast iron cookware was often passed down like jewelry: Many Southern families treasured cast iron skillets for generations, seasoning them over decades and attaching memories to every meal cooked inside.
Barbecue traditions tell regional stories: Different Southern regions developed distinct barbecue styles based on local ingredients, cultures and cooking methods—from vinegar sauces to dry rubs.
Soul food recipes preserved both survival and celebration: Many dishes associated with soul food were created from resourcefulness, family traditions and African culinary knowledge carried through generations.
A new piece of history is now part of downtown Cookeville!
We’re excited to unveil the beautiful new mural on the City of Cookeville History Museum building. A huge thank you to Katie Tyler for sharing her incredible talent, creativity, and countless hours of hard work to bring this stunning piece to life.
Now it’s your turn! Stop by the museum, snap a photo with the mural, and share it on social media. Be sure to tag Cookeville Leisure Services so we can see your pictures!
📸 Throughout the summer, we’ll be sharing visitor photos with the mural, so gather your friends and family and strike a pose with Cookeville’s newest photo spot.
#CookevilleHistoryMuseum #CookevilleTN #VisitCookeville #CookevilleLeisureServices
We’re excited to unveil the beautiful new mural on the City of Cookeville History Museum building. A huge thank you to Katie Tyler for sharing her incredible talent, creativity, and countless hours of hard work to bring this stunning piece to life.
Now it’s your turn! Stop by the museum, snap a photo with the mural, and share it on social media. Be sure to tag Cookeville Leisure Services so we can see your pictures!
📸 Throughout the summer, we’ll be sharing visitor photos with the mural, so gather your friends and family and strike a pose with Cookeville’s newest photo spot.
#CookevilleHistoryMuseum #CookevilleTN #VisitCookeville #CookevilleLeisureServices
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Cookeville Depot Museum
116 W. Broad Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
