Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum facts for kids
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| Location | 27 Main Street Wartrace, Tennessee |
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The Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum is a special place that celebrates the amazing Tennessee Walking Horse. It's the only museum completely dedicated to these beautiful horses! You can find it in the heart of Wartrace, Tennessee. The museum is full of cool displays that show you all about the world of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Museum History: A Journey Through Time
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum has moved a few times! It first opened in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Back then, it was in a room right next to the Calsonic Arena.
In the 1990s, the museum moved to Lynchburg. However, it closed its doors in 2005. But don't worry, it didn't stay closed for long!
In 2011, the museum found a new home. It reopened inside an old store in Wartrace. Wartrace is a very important town for these horses. It's even called "The cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse"!
In 2016, the museum received some helpful money. They got over $3,000 from state grants. This money was used for a cool project. They restored old movies of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Now, visitors can watch these historic films!
What You Can See: Amazing Exhibits!
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum has many different exhibits. They cover all parts of the Tennessee Walking Horse world. You can learn about everything from famous horses to the gear they use.
There's a special exhibit for the current World Grand Champion. This is the top horse in the world! This display gets updated every year when a new horse wins the big title.
You can also see saddles and tack (like bridles and reins) that were used by past champions. These are the actual items worn by winning horses! The museum also honors special breeders and trainers. Their exhibits change from time to time, so there's always something new to see.
One very important item is the saddle worn by Strolling Jim. He was the very first National Champion! There's also a colorful painting of him from 1940. It was created by an artist named Bill Humphreys.
Another inspiring exhibit focuses on Betty Sain. She made history in 1966. Betty was the first female rider to win a World Grand Championship! She won with her horse, Shaker's Shocker.
The museum also has a fun, hands-on area. Here, you can look through old show programs. You can also read magazines about the horse industry. It's a great way to explore and learn more!
