Author Archives: Clare Saum

Freedom Forum First Amendment Festival Q ’n’ A

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Freedom Forum First Amendment Festival Q ’n’ A

 

What is the Freedom Forum all about? Our mission is to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. We’re a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Our goal is an America where everyone knows, understands and values their First Amendment freedoms.

Being nonpartisan is really important to us. Everyone in this country has First Amendment freedoms, no matter who they are or what they believe.

Why is the Freedom Forum coming to West Tennessee? We want to talk with Americans about what they know and think about the First Amendment. We do an annual survey called The First Amendment: Where America Stands, asking people across the country what they think about the First Amendment.

Overwhelmingly, Americans see the First Amendment – which protects our essential freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition – as vital to our democracy. But people also express worry about free speech on college campuses, for instance, and threats to religious freedom. And many people are afraid to speak freely today for fear of consequences, both online and in-person.

We want to hear more from the people here, and we also want to celebrate these incredible freedoms that Americans uniquely enjoy. We are the only nation to have protected these essential freedoms in our founding documents. The only one!

We’re also marking First Amendment Day on Sept. 25, an opportunity for all of us to celebrate our most fundamental freedoms.

The First Amendment is the way we talk to each other as a nation. Sometimes we agree and oftentimes, we don’t. But we speak out, we publish news and opinions, we assemble in groups to talk and maybe protest and we petition the government for change. And of course, freedom of religion – often called the First Freedom – protects our consciences, it protects our deepest beliefs from government interference.

But why Tennessee? Tennessee has an incredible First Amendment history. It was the Tennessee legislature that finally made women’s right to vote a nationwide law in 1920.

And civil rights protesters in the 1960s in Nashville and other cities sat at lunch counters and rode buses to protest segregation. Those are just two examples of the power of the First Amendment: People assembled and petitioned the government to change. It didn’t come nearly quickly enough, but the First Amendment creates the space for our country to adjust and revise our laws and our treatment of each other.

Today, schools and parents are wrestling with the issue of book selection: Some parents and politicians are seeking to remove or restrict books in school libraries they consider inappropriate; other librarians, educators and other parents are arguing for access to those books.

On a lighter note, Tennessee was the home of Elvis Presley, and his hip-shaking free expression rocked and shocked Americans in the 1950s. People often don’t think about the First Amendment protecting your right to free expression – it protects musicians and artists. It protects dance and the way you express yourself in clothing – and even your tattoos!

We also love that Discovery Park of America’s mission is to see beyond. We hope people will see beyond the political differences so evident today to celebrate the freedoms that nearly all Americans treasure. Because another of our survey findings was that 61% of Americans think the First Amendment can help bridge those divisions.

What do you know about Tennessee, anyway?

I’m glad you asked! We hosted four focus groups with community leaders and asked them about First Amendment issues they are interested in or concerned about.

What they told us was very much aligned with what we found in our national survey: People told us that speech and religion are their most essential First Amendment freedoms. But people are worried that religious freedom is threatened today, and they also feel that free speech is threatened. People feel the divisive political climate we’re living through has made it hard for people from opposing points of view to talk civilly. And people don’t trust the news media.

And we have deep Tennessee roots. John Seigenthaler, an award-winning journalist at The Tennessean and USA TODAY, a member of President John F. Kennedy’s Justice Department and a true champion of First Amendment freedoms, was the leading force for the Freedom Forum’s First Amendment work. His legacy can be seen in journalism programs across the state, from Middle Tennessee State University to Vanderbilt University. And we have offices and team members based on Vanderbilt’s campus in Nashville.

What will visitors do at the First Amendment Festival on Sept. 24?

The theme for the festival is fun, freedom and fellowship. We hope visitors will have a lot of fun celebrating the rights that make our country unique. We will have yard games like Jenga and cornhole, trivia games and a First Amendment scavenger hunt for the kids. We’ll have Fast Facts and Snacks, where people can get a cookie and a quick 5-minute download from our First Amendment educators about free speech, the forgotten First Amendment freedom and being media savvy. Folks can take a selfie with some famous First Amendment heroes in our Walk of Fame.

The big event of the day is a conversation with Fox News Channel anchor Bret Baier, who will talk about his career as a journalist and how the First Amendment supports his work. After Bret, we will have a special musical performance by the Grammy-winning Gatlin Brothers. We are really excited!

The Friday before our festival, our Freedom Forum educators will engage with local students from fifth grade on up to college on some First Amendment basics. And they’ll create a chalkboard expression about the First Amendment that will be on display for visitors to the festival the next day.

What else is the Freedom Forum up to these days?

Lots! This fall, we’re visiting three universities – the University of Georgia, Morgan State University in Maryland and the University of South Dakota – to listen and learn from students and engage with them about exercising their First Amendment rights. We know from our survey that the majority of Americans think campuses should foster free exchange of ideas, yet we’re often divided about how to do that. Our religious freedom educators have developed new shareable content and videos about how recent Supreme Court rulings relate to how students and teachers can pray in public schools. And our journalism initiatives are working to improve the culture of newsrooms across the country, and in the process, improve the news. We share First Amendment stories and artifact in museums and public spaces across the country, including exhibits open right now at Reagan and Dulles airports in Washington, D.C. We also host an annual Free Expression Awards event to honor individuals who champion free expression and the First Amendment, and inspire others with their stories.

If people want to learn more about the Freedom Forum or get more involved in championing the First Amendment, what should they do?

Follow us on social media at @1stForAll on Twitter and @FirstAmendmentForAll on Facebook and Instagram.

Visit our new website, freedomforum.org.

And one final thought: If we want to enjoy First Amendment freedoms, we need to protect them for all of us – even those with whom we disagree. That’s what the Freedom Forum is all about: Fostering First Amendment freedoms for all.

Where can I get a ticket for the event at Discovery Park?

The event is FREE with registration at discoveryparkofamerica.com/1AFestival.

Discovery Park of America Announces Partnership with Ducks Unlimited and Addition of Permanent Exhibit on Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway

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Discovery Park of America Announces Partnership with Ducks Unlimited and Addition of Permanent Exhibit on Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway

 

Union City, Tenn.—Discovery Park of America announced today an exhibit dedicated to telling the story of waterfowl hunting, conservation and the ecosystem of the Mississippi Flyway is currently being developed. “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway” will open at the museum and heritage park in 2023. Ducks Unlimited, the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, is the premier sponsor of the exhibit.

Other partners in the exhibit include Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Five Oaks Lodge, Final Flight Outfitters, Inc., First Choice Farm and Lawn, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. Additional partners will be announced soon.

“This new, permanent exhibit will use a combination of stories, three-dimensional objects, interactive elements and hands-on experiences,” said Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s president and CEO. “While some of our guests who encounter this exhibit will be well acquainted with waterfowl hunting and conservation, many others will be exposed to those topics for the first time.”

Louisville, KY-based Solid Light, a leader in the exhibit design and fabrication field, has been selected to head the project. Solid Light also worked with Discovery Park on the recently opened exhibit “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival.”

Cynthia Torp, Solid Light’s owner and CEO, and her team have already been working alongside the Discovery Park exhibits professionals on the project for more than a year. They’ve also been working closely with experts at Ducks Unlimited throughout this research phase.

“With the museum’s location in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway and their unique mission of inspiring their visitors to explore the world around them, Discovery Park is in the perfect place to tell this story,” Torp said. “And I can’t imagine a better partner for this exhibit than Ducks Unlimited.”

Ducks Unlimited was founded in 1937 during the Dust Bowl when North America’s drought-plagued waterfowl populations had plunged to unprecedented lows. A small group of sportsmen joined together to form an organization that became known as Ducks Unlimited.

“As the world’s largest and most effective private waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization, our impact comes through a series of partnerships with private individuals, landowners, agencies, scientific communities and other entities like Discovery Park,” said George Dunklin, Ducks Unlimited past president and current board member. “We’re thrilled to be able to apply our expertise on wetlands conservation to help tell these stories to the millions of Discovery Park visitors who will experience the exhibit in coming years.”

Another partner, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is partnering with the museum to host the upcoming 2023 ​Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Award Ceremony in April. The Junior Duck Stamp program is a dynamic art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program encourages students to learn about waterfowl and their habitats and express what they have learned through an art contest. A variety of programs are being planned, such as Junior Duck Stamp Camp on Discovery Park’s STEAM Saturday, which can be enjoyed by anyone in grades K-12 interested in participating in the contest.

Although research and development for the exhibit is still underway, the initial direction has been determined by focus groups with content experts including waterfowl hunters, educators in the fields of conservation and wildlife and published reports and papers on the topic.

Those interested in partnering with Discovery Park on this exhibit should contact Mary Nita Bondurant at 731-885-5455 or [email protected].

 

Pictured l to r: Steven King, DU, deputy general counsel; David Marrone, DU, general counsel and assistant secretary; Scott Williams, Discovery Park, president and CEO; George Dunklin, DU past president and current board member; Jennifer Wildes, Discovery Park, senior director of collections and exhibits; Corey Dunn, DU, director of development; Sage Stockton, DU, director of development; and Mary Nita Bondurant, Discovery Park, director of development.

Sustainable Ag Program Presented at Discovery Park by The Nature Conservancy and Others

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Sustainable Ag Program Presented at Discovery Park by The Nature Conservancy and Others

 

Mitchell Hora, an Iowa farmer and the founder of the ag startup Continuum Ag, spoke about sustainable agriculture to a large group gathered in the Simmons Bank Ag Center at Discovery Park on Friday. It was not his first appearance in the exhibit on innovation in agriculture located in the center; Hora’s photo can be found on the wall behind him among the other photos of hundreds of people working in agriculture today. A video about his work is also included in the section of the exhibit on AgLaunch.

The event included additional speakers from The University of Tennessee, The University of Missouri, and Quail Forever and focused on risk mitigation through on farm conservation practices. Local Tennessee farmer Matt Griggs also presented and offered his perspective and unique experiences.  The event was held by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Corn Growers Association, Quail Forever and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

“Food production makes up nearly half of our global habitable land area.  And Tennessee is no different, with nearly half of our land in farms,” said Zach Luttrell, director of agriculture for Tennessee and Kentucky at The Nature Conservancy. “Farm conservation is critical to goals that we have related to protecting biodiversity and coping with changing weather patterns.  Ultimately, we want to make conservation practices on the farm make more sense to farmers and part of achieving this objective is spreading knowledge through collaborative outreach like today’s event at Discovery Park.”

The Nature Conservancy is most known for its land protection work, having touched around 100 million acres across globe.  Since 1978 in Tennessee, The Nature Conservancy has helped to create or expand 31 state parks and natural areas, 20 state Wildlife Management Areas, and 9 national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, in addition to establishing their own system of nature preserves.  And beyond land protection, The Nature Conservancy also maximizes it ability to effect change at a scale that matters by developing real-world solutions through collaborative partnerships.

Discovery Park Announces Major 2023 Exhibits and Events Scheduled for the Museum and Park’s 10th Birthday Year

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Save the Date: Discovery Park Announces Important Dates for 10th Birthday Year

Get your 2023 calendar out, and mark the dates of some of the biggest and most exciting events in our museum and heritage park’s 10-year history. The ribbon was cut and doors opened for the
first time at Discovery Park on Nov. 1, 2013. Since that day, more than 2.5 million guests have visited and experienced the 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park. We are
celebrating this special date throughout the year, so make plans now to join us.

Dec. 10, 2022 – May 21, 2023
Inside the Cornerstone Box
A display of items the Discovery Park exhibits team discovered inside a cornerstone box that
was found in the rubble of Dresden First Methodist Church of Dresden, Tenn., after a devastating tornado.

Sat., March 4, 2023
Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards
An important night as Discovery Park pays tribute to a group of honorees whose lives and
careers inspire children and adults to see beyond.

Fri. and Sat., April 28 – 29, 2023
Military History and Armed Forces Symposium
This event features a variety of programs and interactive activities that explore the past, present
and future of the American military.

May 5 – June 30, 2023
Rhythm on the Rails Summer Concert Series
Live music outside at the Train Depot on Friday evenings in May and June.

Sat., May 13, 2023
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Boats can only be made out of cardboard and duct tape – nothing more. This is a fun project for
your family, friends or classmates to put their STEM skills, teamwork and creativity to the test.

June – Dec. 2023
Northwest Tennessee Photography Club Showcase
This semi-annual contest is open to all amateur photographers. The winners receive cash prizes,
and their work is displayed at Discovery Park. Visit nwtnphotoclub.com to enter.

June 1, 2023 – Feb. 4, 2024
Southern Artist Showcase: Southern Self-taught Artists
An exhibit featuring a unique assortment of painters, photographers, sculptors and other self-
taught artists living in or inspired by the South.

Sat., June 3, 2023
Discovery Park Cruise-in
Car clubs and individuals from around the region display their classic cars and trucks throughout
Discovery Park’s 50 acres.

Summer 2023
“Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway”
Our newest permanent exhibit uses three-dimensional objects, interactive elements and hands-on
experiences to tell the story of waterfowl hunting, conservation and the ecosystem of the
Mississippi Flyway.

Sat., July 1, 2023
Independence Day Celebration
Interact with living historians, be part of the Boston Tea Party, participate in the “Ringing of the
Bell” ceremony with the reading of the Declaration of Independence and enjoy colonial games
and activities throughout the park.

Fri. and Sat., August 4 – 5, 2023
Antique Tractor Show
Collectors from around the country display their tractors. Included is live music, food trucks and
a tractor parade.

Fri., Aug 11, 2023 – March 31, 2024
A special exhibit that will be announced soon.

Sat., August 12, 2023
David Crockett Birthday
Celebrate the lives of West Tennessee pioneers and the birthday of David Crockett, the folk hero,
politician and Tennessee settler who made his home here from 1822 until he departed for the
Alamo in 1835.

September 9, 2023
9/11 Stair Climb
Discovery Park partners with regional firefighters to host the annual stair climb as a way to pay
tribute to those who were lost in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sat., September 16, 2023
Discovery Dash 5K/10K/10-Mile Fun Run and Pediatric Day
A day celebrating and exploring health and fitness.

Sat., September 23, 2023
Southern Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival
Vendors will have their unique creations displayed inside Discovery Center in the Natural
History Gallery and outside at STEM Landing. See homemade jewelry, pottery,
glassware, wood carvings and more as you walk through the galleries. This is the perfect place
for a little early Christmas shopping.

The Month of October 2023
Pumpkin Village
Explore the incredible, one-of-a-kind displays created by Discovery Park’s creative grounds
crew with more than 50,000 pounds of pumpkins along with fall flowers, hay bales and more
enhancing the decorations.

Fri. – Sun., Oct. 27 – 29, 2023
Native American Pow Wow
The goal of the event, unique in Northwest Tennessee, is to provide a place for Indigenous
people from tribes around the country to celebrate their culture while educating Discovery Park
visitors on this aspect of our nation’s past, present and future.

Sat., Nov. 4, 2023
Happy Birthday Discovery Park Celebration
A fun-filled day celebrating ten years of inspiring children and adults to see beyond.
Fri., November 10 – December 30, 2023
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Let it Glow Light Show Drive-thru and Walk-thru
This event has become a popular holiday tradition. Drive through more than a million lights, then
park and explore the heritage park decorated for Christmas. Make your way up to Mill Ridge at
Discovery Park for refreshments, holiday music and shopping for gifts to put under the tree.
Polar Express is considered part of this event.

Dec. 2023 – May 2024
Northwest Tennessee Photography Club Showcase
This semi-annual contest is open to all amateur photographers. The winners receive cash prizes,
and their work is displayed at Discovery Park. Visit nwtnphotoclub.com to enter.

Freedom Forum to host First Amendment Festival Featuring Special Guests Bret Baier and The Gatlin Brothers on Sept. 24 at Discovery Park of America

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Fox News anchor Bret Baier will speak about his career and the First Amendment, and country music legends The Gatlin Brothers will perform.

Union City, Tenn. – On Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation that works to foster First Amendment freedoms for all, will host its inaugural First Amendment Festival at Discovery Park of America. Visitors to the park will discover fun, freedom and fellowship, and explore the rights that Americans treasure. The festival will include a variety of family-friendly, First Amendment-themed games, trivia, crafts and conversations. Admission to the park on the day of the festival is FREE with registration.

“The purpose of the festival is to engage Americans around their First Amendment freedoms and to help them better know, value, understand and defend those rights,” said Jan Neuharth, chair and CEO of the Freedom Forum. “Our annual survey of Americans’ understanding of the First Amendment has consistently shown that we value the First Amendment, but that few Americans know what those rights are. That’s a problem we’re uniquely positioned to address in a fun, compelling and empowering way.”

During the festival, Fox News anchor Bret Baier will participate in a one-on-one conversation about the First Amendment and his career as an award-winning journalist covering politics, war zones and the White House. Following the conversation, Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, the three brothers who make up the country music band The Gatlin Brothers, will perform some of their biggest hits.

“With our mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond and an entire section of our heritage park dedicated to our American freedoms, Discovery Park is the perfect location for the Freedom Forum to hold its inaugural First Amendment Festival,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “I know visitors from throughout the region will take advantage of this one-of-a-kind event.”

During the First Amendment Festival, visitors can:

  • Set out on a scavenger hunt to discover the five freedoms the First Amendment protects for you! Visit spots in Discovery Park to solve clues and uncover our rights in action. Get a reward for completion plus entry into a drawing for more chances to win prizes.
  • Reflect and share moments when our First Amendment freedoms have come alive for you. Together, our stories will show that we have more in common than what divides us – and that these five freedoms can bring people together.
  • Check out the stories of the First Amendment! Learn about everyday heroes who used their freedoms and see how the First Amendment shows up in our lives today.
  • Join us on the grounds for fun yard games. Learn about the First Amendment while you play with friends and family for the chance to win prizes.
  • Test and grow your knowledge with a lively First Amendment themed-trivia contest with prizes for winners. You can join the game or enjoy the fun as a spectator!
  • Snap selfies with figures past and present who exercised and defended our freedoms on the First Amendment walk of fame.
  • Grab a snack and delve into First Amendment questions. Power up your knowledge of the issues you care about with answers from experts.
  • Exercise your right to creative expression! Decorate your own artwork to add to an installation at Discovery Park – and see how the First Amendment can bring us together, protecting our expression and building community.
  • Enjoy Discovery Park’s annual Southern Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival with artisans throughout the museum and park.

On Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, area students will learn the basics of the First Amendment and dive into case studies exploring the five freedoms before having the chance to creatively express themselves on what they learned. What are these rights, how can students use their freedoms and why are they important to society as well as individuals? The students’ creations during the program will be displayed at Discovery Park for visitors to see as a temporary installation at the First Amendment Festival on Saturday.

About the Freedom Forum

The Freedom Forum’s mission is to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. It works to raise awareness of First Amendment freedoms through education, advocacy and action, sharing the stories of Americans who have exercised their rights to ignite change. Established July 4, 1991, by founder Al Neuharth, the Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) foundation that advances First Amendment freedoms through initiatives that include Today’s Front Pages, the Free Expression Awards, the Power Shift Project, the annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, the Chips Quinn Scholars and the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media. In addition to its Washington, D.C. headquarters, it has locations at the Al Neuharth Media Center at the University of South Dakota; the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at the University of Mississippi; and the John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University.

About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and heritage park located in Union City, Tenn., is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring nine interactive exhibit galleries, with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501 (c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers

The close family harmonies of Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers have given the trio a signature sound that led to country classics like “All the Gold in California” and “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You).” The brothers won a GRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, “Broken Lady,” and reached #1 with several other songs soon thereafter. Along with five career nominations for the ACM Vocal Group, the Gatlin Brothers picked up three 1979 trophies: Single of the Year (“All the Gold in California”), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin. The brothers were also nominated for multiple CMA Awards including Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. Larry Gatlin has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb and countless gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, the Booth Brothers, the Isaacs and many more. Larry was formally inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in the fall of 2019. For more information on the Gatlin Brothers, visit gatlinbrothers.com or follow them on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Phillip Coleman and Friends to perform at Discovery Park of America Fundraiser

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Union City, Tenn.– Discovery Park of America has announced details for the return of the popular Singer-Songwriter Night featuring Phillip Coleman and other musicians from the country music industry. The performances will take place in Discovery Park’s Reelfoot Room on night one, Thurs., Sept. 8 and night two, Fri., Sept. 9, 2022. Tickets will go on sale to Discovery Park members on Wed., Aug. 3, 2022. Members may purchase up to four tickets for each evening. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public on Sat., Aug. 6, 2022 at 10 a.m. The ticket price is $45.

On Thursday night, Phillip will be accompanied by Rory Feek and Scotty Emerick. Rory and his late wife, Joey, made up the Grammy-award-winning duo, Joey+Rory.  Feek has written multiple number-one songs, including “Some Beach” by Blake Shelton and “A Little More Country Than That” by Easton Corbin. His memoir, “This Life I Live: One Man’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever,” debuted at the top of the New York Times Bestseller. On his blog, Feek shares his life with millions of readers who follow along.

Scotty Emerick is an American country music artist, known primarily for his work with Toby Keith. In addition to penning 53 of Keith’s songs, Emerick has also written for Willie Nelson, Sawyer Brown, George Strait, Kenney Chesney and many other artists. In 2004, Emerick was named “Songwriter of the Year” by the Nashville Songwriters Association.

Friday night’s show will feature Phillip Coleman with Annie Moser and Byron Hill. Moser’s song “Goldfish” was recently produced and recorded by British pop icon and Beatles producer Alan Parsons. She is a winner of the Texas Wildflower Music Festival, a regular at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe and a longtime member of the sassy Nashville-based group “Girls With Guitars.”

Byron Hill has written songs released on ninety-five industry certified Gold and Platinum albums and singles, earning ten ASCAP awards, thirty-six U.S. and Canadian top-ten chart hits, and have become hits in many other worldwide markets. To date, fifteen members of the Country Music Hall of Fame have recorded his songs. Byron was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018. The songs “Fool Hearted Memory” (George Strait), “Pickin’ Up Strangers” (Johnny Lee), “Politics, Religion, And Her” (Sammy Kershaw), “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan), “Born Country” (Alabama), “High-Tech Redneck” (George Jones), “Alright Already” (Larry Stewart), “If I Was A Drinkin’ Man” (Neal McCoy), “Size Matters” (Joe Nichols), “Nights” (Ed Bruce), and “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous” (Tracy Byrd), are just a few of the notable songs in his recorded catalog that spans four decades and includes songs recorded by a long list of other iconic and current artists of our time. In 2022, Byron’s song “Fool Hearted Memory” recorded by George Strait is celebrating its 40th Anniversary as Strait’s first #1.

Unlike previous year’s Singer-Songwriter events, there will be six VIP tables at the front of the venue, close to the stage. All other seating will be theater style and seating will be very limited for this event.

Those interesting in purchasing a table can email Mary Nita Bondurant at [email protected]. The cost of a table is $2,000 and includes seating for ten and two free drink tickets per guest.

“The reason so many of us love this fundraiser is because it’s one of the rare opportunities to enjoy hearing Phillip and the other musicians in a close, personal setting,” said Mary Nita Bondurant. “It’s almost our own little Bluebird Café right here in Obion County.”

Active members will receive a link to purchase up to four tickets in advance of the public at 9 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2022. You may become a member online or at the Discovery Park ticket counter. If you are a member who wants to purchase tickets and need to check the current status of your membership, please check with the ticket counter, call the membership department at 731-885-5455 or email [email protected].

The doors open at 6 p.m. each evening with a cash bar and complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres in the Military Gallery. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Photo caption: Phillip Coleman performing at the 2019 Singer-Songwriter Event at Discovery Park of America.

Photo caption: Rory Feek will perform on Thurs., Sept. 8 at the 2022 Singer-Songwriter Event.

Photo caption: Scotty Emerick will perform on Thurs., Sept. 8 at the 2022 Singer-Songwriter Event.

Photo caption: Annie Moser, will perform on Fri., Sept. 9 at the 2022 Singer-Songwriter Event.

Bryon Hill, will perform on Fri., Sept. 9 at the 2022 Singer-Songwriter Event.

Dr. Emalee Buttrey Joins Discovery Park Serving as Director of Education, Programming and Museum Experience

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Union City, Tenn.—Dr. Emalee Buttrey has joined Discovery Park of America as the museum and heritage park’s director of education, programming and museum experience. Buttrey will help set strategic vision and manage implementation of the museum and heritage park’s mission-oriented education initiatives and fundraising events targeting a regional audience.

Buttrey comes to Discovery Park with over 15 years of experience in education, research and communications. She received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Agriculture from West Texas A&M University. Most recently, she has been serving as the assistant director of the honors programs and associate professor of animal science at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She previously worked at Louisiana Tech University and the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service. Buttrey and her husband live in Martin, Tenn., where they own and manage BERG Livestock. They have two children, and Buttrey is very active in church and civic organizations in West Tennessee.

“We’re all excited to have someone with Emalee’s experience join the leadership team here at Discovery Park since the work she does will impact the experience of every child and adult who visits us,” said Scott Williams. Especially important will be the role she will play in the work our education department does with school groups from throughout the region and the management of the docent and volunteer programs.”

Buttrey may be reached at [email protected].

Dr. Emalee Buttrey has joined the Discovery Park team as director of education, programming and museum experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discovery Park of America Marks David Crockett’s Birthday with Activities Including the Opening of New Blacksmith’s Forge

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Union City, Tenn.—Discovery Park of America will mark David Crockett’s birthday on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 with interactive activities, live demonstrations and the opening of a new blacksmith’s forge at the heritage park’s turn-of-the-twentieth century town reproduction, Mill Ridge.

The new forge is the result of a partnership between Discovery Park and the Tennessee River Artist Blacksmith Association (TRABA), an organization that offers various opportunities for the public to learn about blacksmithing. Demonstrations of the new forge at Discovery Park will take place periodically throughout the year and will provide an opportunity for guests to experience blacksmiths using the forge to create various projects from start to finish.

Dr. Jared Teague, associate professor for the Department of Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Martin, also plans to use the forge for students taking classes in historic forging. They will learn about the crystal structure of metals, receive hands-on training in historic blacksmithing and interact with the public through visual demonstrations.

“We are excited about the partnership we have with Discovery Park to offer our students an extended classroom experience. It is a good opportunity for the students not only to learn about this historic trade, but also develop communication skills by explaining their demonstration to park visitors.”

Having access to a forge was crucial for early settlers like David Crockett.

“During David Crockett’s day, a blacksmith was one of the most important people to arrive in a pioneer community. In addition to keeping the workhorses shod, they provided all kinds of metal items for use in settlers’ homes,” said Jennifer Wildes, Discovery Park’s senior director of collections and exhibits. “Adding this new forge right across from our gristmill is another way we can remember the lives of the men and women who settled this area.”

Crockett was a celebrated folk hero, frontiersman and politician who made his home in Northwest Tennessee from 1822 until he departed for the Alamo in 1835. Crockett, known for his marksmanship, was one of the earliest non-Native American hunters around nearby Reelfoot Lake. A passionate advocate for the earliest settlers of West Tennessee, he served in the state legislature from 1821-24, then as a member of Congress representing West Tennessee counties in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1827-31 and 1833-35.

In addition to TRABA demonstrating the new forge, other activities during the celebration of Crockett’s birthday include:

  •  Performances by Mulberry Jam, a five-piece band that plays period songs of the past with traditional instruments and arrangements of the string dance performers of the 19th and early 20th centuries
  •  J.C. Stahlman’s The Living Historians
  •  Native American skills, crafts and cooking education with homemade fry bread available for purchase
  •  Operation of the Brewer-Austin Gristmill
  •  Birds of Prey program presented by Reelfoot Lake State Park
  • The Family Community Education Crystal Club of the UT/TSU Extension Program demonstrating textile arts and sewing
  • Demonstrations by the Reelfoot Area Flintnappers
  • Presentations on 1800s natural medical practices
  • Presentations on wildlife of West Tennessee during Crockett’s time in the region
  • Living historians demonstrating traditional skills and crafts including candle and soap making and spinning and weaving

Visitors will also find many other ways to experience David Crockett at Discovery Park that are at the museum and park all year long. Included is a statue dedicated to the frontiersman, a congressional exhibit in Liberty Hall at Freedom Square, a reproduction of Crockett’s portrait by John Gadsby Chapman, a replica of his first and fondest rifle, the Regional History Gallery telling the story of Northwest Tennessee, a 20,000-gallon aquarium and tanks featuring the wildlife of Reelfoot Lake, a one-of-a-kind Earthquake Simulator, the Native American Gallery, an 1800s Tennessee log cabin community, Mill Ridge featuring a working gristmill and the new forge and more.

More information about the celebration of David Crockett’s birthday is available at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/Crockett22.

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Photo caption: Broadway actor Bart Shatto with Jace, a big fan of David Crockett,

at the 2021 David Crocket Birthday celebration at Discovery Park.

Discovery Park of America Adds a 1-Mile Fun Run and New Partners to the Annual Discovery Dash

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Union City, Tenn.—The annual Discovery Dash fundraiser hosted by Discovery Park of America in Northwest Tennessee will be held on Sat., Sept. 17, 2022, and will include new a 1-mile fun run added to the current 5K and 10K.

Pediatric Place of Union City will once again host Pediatric Day at the museum on the day of the Discovery Dash. There will be vendors and organizations located throughout the park providing child-friendly healthy lifestyle education and information about resources and services available to children in this region. Children 17 and under receive free admission for Pediatric Day.

“I can assure anyone who has not participated in our run in the past, it features one of the most unique routes in the world. Runners make their way through our entire 50-acre heritage park that features a man-made river flowing through the extensively landscaped property, along with waterfalls, bridges and other water features,” said Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s president and CEO. “Nowhere else can you dash by a 120-year-old church, an 1800s frontier settlement, a reproduction of a town from the early 20th century and a complete vintage train station.”

Sponsors of the 2022 Discovery Dash include Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, Dynamix Physical Therapy, Hibbett Sports, Vantage Coffee Roasters, Pediatric Place of Union City, Sugar and Spice Clothing, Ultimate Fitness of Union City, and The Sideline.

Awards will be presented in the 5K and 10K for males and females in the age categories of 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.

Schedule:

7:30 a.m. – Registration begins

8 a.m. – 10K begins

8:30 a.m. – 5K begins

9 a.m. – 1-Mile Fun Run begins

10 a.m. – Award Ceremony

Registration prior to July 31 is $25 and includes a Discovery Dash T-shirt and two free admission tickets to Discovery Park for the day. Beginning August 1, the registration fee will be increased to $30 dollars, and race T-shirts will be available only while supplies last.

More information is available at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/discoverydash.

Photo caption: Runners competing in the 2021 Discovery Dash on the grounds of Discovery Park of America.

“Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-on Adventure” Open at Discovery Park of America

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Union City, Tenn.— “Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure” is now open at Discovery Park of America in the museum’s ATA Temporary Exhibit Hall and will remain open through Jan. 10, 2023.

The exhibit, created by Imagine Exhibitions, Inc. in partnership with The Franklin Institute, features eight galleries, each inspired by different visionaries from the Victorian Age and focused on how their philosophy, art, innovation and science have shaped our world today.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction inspired by the Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style and art, along with a celebration of 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

Authors featured are: Mary Shelley, the English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel “Frankenstein;” Jules Verne, the French novelist, poet and playwright who wrote bestselling adventure novels including “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” and “Around the World in Eighty Days;” and H.G. Wells, the science fiction author who wrote “The Time Machine,” “War of the Worlds” and “The Invisible Man” and who is often remembered today as the “father of science fiction.”

Along with the visionary authors, the exhibit features four influential Victorian-era inventors: Isaac Singer, who developed the sewing machine; Thomas Blanchard, who worked on automation and the first automobiles; George Eastman, who helped popularize photography; and Jan Matzeliger, the son of a Surinamese slave, whose inventions made decent footwear accessible to the masses.

The exhibit uses steampunk to provide a fun opportunity for children and adults to experience the humanities, science, technology, engineering, art and math. It includes robotics, photography, automation and sculpture along with a variety of opportunities for hands-on learning.

“Having ‘Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure” at Discovery Park is the perfect way to further the vision of the museum’s late founder, Robert Kirkland,” said Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s CEO. “On opening day, Robert Kirkland shared that he hoped in the future, guests would arrive for each visit with an expectation that they would experience innovation presented in a fun way. This exhibit certainly does that.”

Teachers and administrators wishing to book a school group should download Discovery Park’s Student Group Planning Guide, e-mail [email protected] or call reservations at 731-885-5455, option 6.

“Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure” is free with park admission or membership and will be at Discovery Park June 18, 2022 to Jan. 10, 2023. Visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com to plan your visit.

“Discover Steampunk” is funded in part by a grant from the Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Discovery Park of America to Host 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Pow Wow

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Discovery Park of America to Host 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Pow Wow

 

Union City, Tenn.—Discovery Park of America in Northwest Tennessee will be the location of a three-day Native American Pow Wow to be held Oct. 27 – 29, 2023.

The goal of the event, unique in Northwest Tennessee, is to provide a place for Indigenous people from tribes around the country to celebrate their culture while educating Discovery Park visitors on this aspect of our nation’s past, present and future.

Organizers are partnering with Obion County residents Kim and David Bugg who have been active at pow wows and indigenous art markets around the country for more than 25 years. David is of Cherokee descent and Kim is a member of the Oneida Nation on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada. The couple also mentor adolescent groups through rehabilitation centers, churches and schools using ancient life lessons passed down to them through their native culture.

“Every time I have visited Discovery Park’s beautifully landscaped, 50-acre heritage park and toured their Native Americans gallery, I’ve dreamed about having a pow wow there,” said Kim Bugg.

Discovery Park’s Native Americans Gallery takes guests from the ancient past through European contact and up to today. There are numerous artifacts on display in the gallery, including more than 4,500 arrowheads and spear points mounted to the walls. Also included in the museum’s exhibit are painted vessels and works of art, a holographic presentation of legends, myths and storytelling and an exploration of Tennessee tribes and the Trail of Tears.

The 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Pow Wow will include competitions and displays of Indigenous storytelling, drumming, singing and competition dancing. There will also be Native American artisans, craftsmen and traders displaying and selling their work. Food vendors will provide opportunities to enjoy traditional cuisine like fry bread, tacos and hominy.

“Historically, pow wows were meant to welcome warriors home from a hunt or battle. Today, they are a joyful celebration of identity through song, dance and community,” said Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s CEO. “With our location here in what was once the hunting ground of the Chickasaw Nation and our mission of educating children and adults in a fun way, we believe Discovery Park is the perfect location for a pow wow today.”

Those with documented tribal affiliation who want to compete or reserve a booth at the 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Education Pow Wow should call Kim and David Bugg at 901-833-6411 or email [email protected].

More information is available at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/powwow.

Photo Caption: (Left to right) Kim Bugg, member of the Oneida Nation on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada; David Bugg, descendent of the Cherokee Tribe; Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s president and CEO planning the Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Pow Wow.

Press Release: Winners of the Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest Now on Display at Discovery Park of America

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Winners of the Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest Now on Display at Discovery Park of America

Union City, Tenn. –  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is displaying the winners of the 27th Annual Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest at Discovery Park of America from May 25 to June 30, 2022.

Part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, the contest features an art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.

“We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Discovery Park of America on helping more people discover the importance of waterfowl conservation,” said Joan Howe, refuge ranger and Tennessee state coordinator for the Junior Duck Stamp Program. “With their current exhibits and educational programs that relate to the wildlife of this region, they are a natural fit.”

While specific details have not yet been announced, Discovery Park currently has a permanent exhibit about waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway planned for 2023.

The Junior Duck Stamp Program is managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to Discovery Park, other Tennessee partners include Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Ducks Unlimited, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation and Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge.

After studying about waterfowl and their habitats, students from across the United States draw or paint a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species. They submit their artwork to their state, territory or district art competition.

The “Best of Show” from each competition is submitted to the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest where judges select an image to become the next Junior Duck Stamp and one they believe has the strongest conservation message. The top three artists at the national level and the student with the winning conservation message receive scholarships.

The Junior Duck Stamp Program was inspired by the successful Federal Duck Stamp Program. Waterfowl hunters ages 16 and older are required to purchase and carry a duck stamp while hunting. A Duck Stamp also provides free admission to national wildlife refuges that are open to the public. Duck stamps are sold at post offices nationwide and at many refuges and sporting goods stores. Electronic versions of the duck stamp can also be purchased online.

Revenue generated by the sales of Duck Stamps and proceeds from the Junior Duck Stamp Program fund environmental education programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several territories.

For those interested in participating in next year’s contest, a Junior Duck Stamp curriculum guide is available for educators and homeschool parents.

Photo Caption: (Left to right) Joan Howe, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency refuge ranger and Tennessee state coordinator for the Junior Duck Stamp Program; Glenn Schreiber; Isaac Schrieber, Best of Show winner in the 2022 Junior Duck Stamp Competition; Ruth Schreiber; and Don King, chief multimedia development for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.