Tennessee: Celebrating 225 Years

June 1, 2021 – On June 1, 1796, The United States Territory South of the River Ohio, more commonly known as The Southwest Territory, became the 16th entity to be granted statehood by the United States Congress – the first federal territory to apply for statehood. It was granted the name Tennessee, from the Cherokee village of Tanasi, in modern day Monroe County. The land that now constitutes our state has been granted many names throughout its brief history, and there is a rich history behind this process.

In 1784, settlers living in what is now East Tennessee became dissatisfied with both the government of North Carolina and the Federal government under the Articles of Confederation. The settlers broke away from North Carolina to create what they called the State of Franklin, drafted a state constitution, elected John Sevier as governor, and began independently governing their unofficial “state.” The two issues that the Franklinites wanted resolved were Native American relations and the right to navigate the Mississippi River, and even signed a compact with the Spanish Empire for rights to transport goods along the Mississippi. The government of North Carolina quickly reasserted its dominion over the territory, and in a matter of four years, the state of Franklin was extinguished.

“On June 1, 2021, Tennessee celebrates 225 years of rich heritage.”

In 1789, upon its own statehood, North Carolina ceded all lands west of the Appalachians to the federal government. The Union then used the land to reward revolutionary soldiers, as well as to settle further land claims under the Cession Act of 1789. Congress gave the name Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio, which, after a few modifications, became The Southwest Territory – the name it retained until statehood in 1796.

On June 1, 2021, Tennessee celebrates 225 years of rich heritage. The contributions of the state and its inhabitants to the global markets of food and music cannot be overstated, nor can its contributions to science and national security. Now a key player on the national stage, it is an enlightening consideration that just over two centuries ago, our great state was a primitive region shrouded in conflict and mystery.

Grumman F11 Tiger: The Jet Fighter that Shot Itself Down

May 26, 2021 – In the 20 years between the two World Wars, aviation technology advanced in leaps and bounds, but was always dependent on internal combustion engines and propellers.

Even after all metal designs with advanced aerodynamics entered service during wartime, their speed would be limited by forces not fully understood. Propellers could only revolve so fast because once their tips exceeded the speed of sound, thrust decreased significantly.  The same so-called “sound barrier” presented problems for aircrafts nearing the transonic range, where air flowed over the aircraft at both subsonic and supersonic speeds.  As its speed increased, air could not get out of the way quickly enough.  In a dive, planes like P38 Lightnings and P51 Mustangs encountered compressibility; shockwaves emanated off their wings, fuselages and tail planes.  In some cases, control surfaces froze.  If not slowed quickly enough to regain control, a crash would result.

The jet engine provided the cure for propeller issues. Further study of the aerodynamic issues, helped by captured German wind tunnel data and rocket powered experimental aircraft such as the Bell X1 and X2, resulted in designs with thin, swept wings and tails.  By the early 1950s, the underpowered jets of the early post-war period were giving way to designs which paired more powerful engines with airframes sophisticated enough to routinely exceed Mach One, approximately 750 mph, smoothly accelerating them to a speed where air flowing around the plane is entirely supersonic.

“It was during its testing in 1956 that it garnered the dubious distinction of being the first, and so far only, fighter jet to shoot itself down.”

Grumman’s 1954 proposal for an improved version of their subsonic F9 Cougar naval fighter evolved into an entirely new aircraft. Capable of modestly supersonic speeds, the F11 Tiger’s swept wings featured wing spoilers for roll control and full span flaps for good handling when launching from and recovering aboard ship.

Its coke bottle shape greatly reduced drag.  It was equipped with four 20mm cannons and could carry drop tanks for extra fuel, and air-to-air missiles.  It was during its testing in 1956 that it garnered the dubious distinction of being the first, and so far only, fighter jet to shoot itself down.

During one test, pilot Thomas Attridge flew his F11 out over the Atlantic to a designated firing range.  Flying a test profile designed to investigate the 20mm guns’ ability to fire under supersonic conditions, he dove from 20,000 feet to 13,000, firing a four second burst.  He then dove even more steeply and lit the engine’s afterburner.  Descending to 7,000 feet, he emptied the rest of his ammunition.  Seconds later, the windshield shattered.  Turning back toward the Grumman factory, he nursed the plane along, holding the shattered windshield in place with one hand.  He noticed a hole near the engine’s air inlet.  The engine itself was barely running and making very little thrust.  A mile short of safety it failed completely.  Too low to eject, he crash landed, the plane erupting into flames.  Severely injured, he was able to extricate himself and would recover.

The plane was a complete loss, but enough evidence remained to determine the cause of the crash.  After firing its first test burst at 13,000 feet, the plane accelerated to a speed high enough to catch up with the cannon shells, which were slowing rapidly and falling nearly vertically.  The plane and four rounds of its own ammunition had wound up in the same tiny patch of sky at the same time.

The Grumman F-11 Tiger on display at Discovery Park of America was piloted by Captain Bob Rasmussen, who served from 1951 to 1983.

Rasmussen flew the jet fighter while a member of the Blue Angels demonstration squadron; one of the first aviators to pilot the new aircraft in 1957. Rasmussen would go on to become a well-known military artist and served as director of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida from 1987 to 2014.

Dr. Rhea Seddon, Reaching for the Stars

March 17, 2021 – As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we are spotlighting some of the women featured throughout our museum and heritage park who have changed history, made scientific breakthroughs, overcome seemingly insurmountable adversity and inspired the generations after them to see beyond.

One of two NASA flight suits on display in Discovery Park of America’s Moon Dome at STEM Landing was worn by former astronaut, Dr. Rhea Seddon. In 1978, Dr. Seddon was selected as one of the first six women to enter the Astronaut Program and would go on to serve a total of 30 days in space as  mission specialist on Space Shuttle flights in 1985 and 1991 and as a payload commander in charge of all science activities on her final flight in 1993.

After a 19 year career with NASA, she went on to become the assistant chief medical officer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. There she led an initiative to improve patient safety, quality care and team effectiveness by use of an aviation-based model of Crew Resource Management.

She is a national speaker and award-winning author who today encourages young and old alike to reach for the stars. Dr. Seddon, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee-native now living in Nashville, was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame in 2005, the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame also in 2015.

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Discovery Park of America Provides Learning Tools to Local Preschool

March 11, 2021 – At Discovery Park of America, our mission is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. A big part of that mission includes working alongside organizations in our community to encourage others to grow and consider new ideas regardless of age or education.

Al Wright, Discovery Park’s director of maintenance, recently constructed learning tools for the Miles Head Start preschool in Union City, Tennessee. He carved dog treat bones for a “Pet Study” lesson that taught numerous objectives including sorting, classifying, counting, using fine motor skills to paint and comparing. This activity offered the young students a fun and interactive method of learning new skills that they will use in their everyday lives for years to come.

Wendi Wright, a teacher at Miles Head Start, said, “I truly appreciate the time Discovery Park of America took to help my students grow in so many areas while still having fun.”

Community engagement projects like this one are what Discovery Park’s  founders, Robert and Jenny Kirkland, envisioned when they built this one-of-a-kind, transformational museum and heritage park right here in Northwest Tennessee.

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Dr. Nadia Shakoor, Pioneer in Digital Agriculture

 March 10, 2021 – As we celebrate Women’s History Month at Discovery Park, we are making people aware of the women who have changed history, made scientific breakthroughs, overcome seemingly insurmountable adversity and inspired the generations after them to see beyond.

Dr. Nadia Shakoor is a senior research scientist at The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and a pioneer in digital agriculture. She and her team are developing FieldDock, an integrated smart farm system that will collect and analyze real-time data from fields, allowing for effective tracking of crop performance.

We expect the FieldDock to transform the way crop scientists, breeders and farmers interact with agricultural technology and have a significant impact on the sustainability of food production.

While working on the FieldDock project, Dr. Shakoor needed a data-collection instrument that did not exist yet — so she invented one. The PheNode is a 100 percent solar-powered device with environmental sensors that monitor the soil, temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall and more for researchers. Automated systems like the FieldDock will pioneer breakthrough for rapid advancement in digital agriculture and play a pivotal role in farms of the future. An example of Dr. Shakoor’s PheNode is on display in Discovery Park’s “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival” exhibit in the Simmons Bank Ag Center.

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Discovery Park of America Adds Benefits to the Membership Program

March 9, 2021 – Beginning May 2021, the one-time price of a Discovery Park membership will increase from $1,000 to $1,500, and new benefits have been added to the program. Until May 2021, a lifetime membership can still be purchased for $1,000. Existing members may also upgrade their child or adult to a lifetime membership by paying the difference between their current level and $1,000 until April 30, 2021. After May 1, 2021, upgrades can be made by paying the difference between the current level and $1,500. These are all one-time payments. $500 of the one-time lifetime membership fee goes to the Kirkland Scholarship Fund that provides complimentary tickets to visit Discovery Park at no cost to qualifying school groups and foster families.

Additionally, many new benefits have been added to the program that greatly increases its value to members.

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

• NEW Acknowledgment of $500 gift to the Kirkland Scholarship Fund
• *Unlimited admission to the museum and heritage park
• NEW **Unlimited admission to all special attractions
• NEW Unlimited admission to all ticketed temporary exhibits
• NEW 10 complimentary guest tickets to Discovery Park annually for the lifetime of the member
• Access to members only programs and events
• Presale opportunities for programs and events
• NEW Name included on Discovery Park’s partner wall in the lobby
• 10% off in The Gift Shop
• 10% off in Sabin’s Café

*Access dependent on Discovery Park’s hours of operation.
**Attractions currently include Cooper Tower, Discovery Theater and the Earthquake Simulator. Tickets to the theater and simulator must be reserved at the ticket counter upon arrival. Specific time depends on availability. Discovery Park will occasionally update and change special attractions.

“Members are the heart of any museum,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “Last year, after a survey with our current members, we added several levels for families. This new Lifetime Membership level is another good suggestion we received from a number of current members.”

There are many ways a Discovery Park membership of any level is a benefit for the member and a source of support for Discovery Park, a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of inspiring children and adults to see beyond. Members receive free entry to the museum and park and, while Discovery Park does receive a financial gift in payment for the membership, some of the biggest benefits come from other areas. Members are usually the biggest supporters of the mission of the museum and are often the way others find out about it. Members are also the most active group for non-profits like Discovery Park, and they often become volunteers or support the organization during fundraisers and other events.

You may join Discovery Park of America online. With questions, or to upgrade or renew your membership, please call 731-885-5455 or stop by the front ticket counter and one of our guest services associates will be happy to assist you.

Lifetime Member FAQ

Q. Is the children’s lifetime membership less expensive?
A. No, the children’s and adult’s lifetime memberships are both the same price.

Q. I was given a lifetime membership early in the history of Discovery Park. Do I qualify for these new benefits?
A. Yes, you are a lifetime member and will receive all the benefits.

Q. May I keep my family membership and add the benefits of the lifetime membership for myself?
A. Yes, you can pay the difference between the lifetime membership and the level of membership you have already purchased, however, when the original family membership expires, those family members will no longer be part of your lifetime membership and will need to renew as either an individual, as part of another new family membership or as a new lifetime member.

Q. I was a charter member and renew each year at the charter member rate. Can I upgrade to the lifetime membership?
A. Yes, you will simply pay the difference between a lifetime membership and an individual charter membership (Adult 18+: $50, Individual Child 4-17: $25).

Q. I want to give a lifetime membership as a gift. How do I do that?
A. Purchase a gift membership online, by calling 731-885-5455 or stopping by the front ticket counter.

Please Note: If you wish to upgrade your current membership plan to a lifetime membership, please call 731-885-5455 or stop by the main ticket counter for assistance. 

Some photos were taken before the mask mandate.

Charles Henry Tuner: Entomologist

Feb. 18, 2021 – In Discovery Park’s newly established permanent exhibit, “AgriCulture: Innovating for our Survival“, over 10,000 complex, creative and intelligent beings reside in a wooden and glass chamber in the building’s northeast corner. There are eight living species of honeybee in this chamber, and each of them are brilliant, efficient and incredibly structured in their behavior and interactions.

However, this was not always believed to be the case.

For millennia, naturalists assumed that insects were essentially mindless – incapable of complex thought, learning, recognizing patterns or even seeing color. For this reason, little was done to develop the honey industry in the way of altering a colony’s behavior to increase production.

This changed around 1910 with the release of a number of scientific publications by St. Louis-based scientist Charles Henry Turner.

Turner was born in Cincinnati in 1867, graduated valedictorian from Gainesville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of science in biology from the University of Cincinnati. Despite his innate brilliance, experience and education, Turner faced an obstacle in his search for employment that, in the late 19^th century, seemed impossible to overcome – his race. Turner went on to become to the first African American person to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1907, but upon seeking employment at an esteemed university, still faced racism and dismissal of his accomplishments. Turner became a high school science teacher at Sumner High School in St. Louis in 1908 and remained there until his retirement in 1922.

Nevertheless, over the course of 30 years, he published over 70 scientific papers, many of which pertained to the behavior of insects. Turner’s work essentially formed the foundation for entomologists for the coming century. Turner was likely the first black entomologist to be published in the United States, as well as the first black scientist published in the journal Science.

Turner is perhaps most well-known for his work with honeybees, detailing in a 1910 paper how bees in his independent study had reacted to various colored disks, showing complex thought processes and color vision.

As we celebrate Black History Month at Discovery Park, we are making people aware of the contributions of black scientists, engineers, artists, and other great minds who have shaped the disciplines represented in each of our museum and heritage park’s galleries.

Discovery Park Partners with Farmspace Systems and VETSA

Jan. 6, 2021 – A unique view of Discovery Park of America can be seen in these photos and video provided by Chance Weldon and Ted Moore with Farmspace Systems who recently demonstrated the latest in drone technology for Scott Williams, Discovery Park CEO, and Ardis Porter, retired Army Colonel and the director of VETSA (Veterans Employed in Technology and Service in Agriculture).

Farmspace Systems recently partnered with Discovery Park on the permanent exhibit “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival.”