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 reservations@discoveryparkofamerica.com 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

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 powwow@discoveryparkofamerica.com.

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.

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 27^th 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.

Discovery Park of America Upgrades Theater to Include State-of-the-art 4K Digital 3D Technology

Union City, Tenn. – Discovery Park of America has begun a project to upgrade the current Starship Theater incorporating a state-of-the-art, laser-illuminated 4K Digital 3D projection system designed and integrated by D3D Cinema.

Included in the upgrade is the latest high-efficiency 40,000-lumen laser projector on the market, an advanced surround-sound system and the ability to show 3-D films which will provide significant new programming capabilities in the theater.

An additional change is the renaming of the theater to “The Discovery Theater.”

“For all of us at Discovery Park, this is more than just new technology and a name change,” said Karl Johnson, Discovery Park of America director of information technology. “The new projection and audio system and the ability to show 3D films gives us a fun, new way to implement our mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond.”

The Discovery Theater will close for the remodel on September 12, 2022 and reopen on October 8, 2022 with the 20-minute version of two award-winning 3D films, “Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D” and “Tiny Giants 3D.”

“Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D” from Giant Screen Films and D3D Cinema uses the latest in CGI technology to follow a team of paleoecologists on a quest to understand the southern continent’s profound transformation from a warm and bio-diverse Mesozoic to the frozen desert we know today. “Tiny Giants 3D” from BBC Earth is an adventure film created by the award-winning nature filmmakers Michael Gunton (“Africa, One Life,” “Madagascar”) and Mark Brownlow (“Planet Earth,” “South Pacific”) and narrated by English actor, broadcaster and comedian Stephen Fry.

“Our team is honored by the trust placed in us by Discovery Park to design, integrate and support this important re-imagination of their theater,” said Derek Threinen, D3D’s Senior Vice President of Business Development. “The versatility of this new system will allow Discovery Park to open new worlds of discovery with stunningly-immersive sights and sounds from around the world, and in subjects as diverse as the museum and park itself.”

Buy tickets for “Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D” here 

Buy tickets for “Tiny Giants 3D” here 

Photo Caption: Left to right, Discovery Park docent, Alexis Millsaps, greets Ivan Hogan, Levi Hogan, Tiffany Hogan, Fred Hogan and Oliver Hogan, a family visiting Discovery Park from Mississippi, as they enter The Starship Theater to enjoy one of the current films. 

Discovery Park of America Adds U.S. Navy “Nimitz” Virtual Reality Experience, Black Hawk Helicopter and Exhibit of Rare Civil War-era photos to the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium 2022

Union City, Tenn. – Discovery Park of America announced even more military vehicles, the U.S. Navy “Nimitz” Virtual Reality Experience and a never-before-seen exhibit have been added to the 2022 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium. In addition to the rare appearance of a Black Hawk helicopter, guests will be able to experience an M113 armored personnel carrier, Oshkosh M1070 tank transporter tractor unit and more. The 360-degree virtual reality “Nimitz” provides a view of what it’s like to be on a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft crewmen mission in America’s Navy. The Nimitz will be open to visitors 14 and older. All participants must register either onsite or online prior to the event. Guests 17 and younger will need to present a waiver completed by a parent/legal guardian or have completed online registration in advance request a link by emailing education@discoveryparkofamerica.com.

Those with an interest in Civil War-era photos will appreciate “A Country Divided: Photos from the Civil War,” an exhibit of rare Civil War photos and artifacts that is making its world debut at the event and will be on display through May 25, 2022.

Designed by Discovery Park’s collections and exhibits team featuring items from the collection of Jason Pate, it consists of several early photography examples depicting soldiers that either lived in or traveled through Obion County and the surrounding Tennessee/Kentucky region during the Civil War. Guests will learn of the main photography mediums used during this time (ambrotypes, tintypes and cartes de visite) and of the soldiers’ stories that have survived along with their 160-year-old photographic counterparts on display.

Jason Pate, an award-winning educator currently employed with Obion County Schools, is an avid collector and “caretaker” of Civil War history. Using his nationally published collection, Pate has told, and brought to life, the stories of hundreds of Civil War soldiers from both sides of the war.

Sponsored by Union City Coca-Cola and Dixie Gun Works, the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium will also feature presentations from special guests including COL Many-Bears Grinder, USA (Ret), Maj Gen Tommy H. Baker and Kevin Rumley, USMC just to name a few. Guests will also experience historical interpreters and period musicians throughout the museum and park.

The popular Lantern Walk returns now representing stories and voices from the Civil War-era from a multitude of perspectives. The members-only reception will feature entertainment provided by Operation Song and an early-American folk dance with live music and dance instruction provided by the 52nd Regimental String Band. The band will also be performing during a church service held on Sunday morning. Friday’s events have been designed with students in mind and will provide both military- and history-related content perfect for school groups.

All the programs, panel discussions and other events during the symposium are included with park admission or membership. Tickets to the Lantern Walk, members-only reception and an early-American folk dance are free but limited and must be reserved at discoveryparkofamerica.com/event/military.

All active military, veterans, their guests and student groups receive free admission all three days of the event. Group leaders wanting to request scholarships for student groups should email Sheridan Wells at education@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731-599-1132.

For a full list of events and biographies on the special guests, visit discoveryparkofamerica.com/event/military.

Photo Caption: The U.S. Navy “Nimitz” Virtual Reality Experience will be on display during the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium 2022.

Photo Caption: Images from the Civil War-era using an ambrotype, tintype, and carte de visite as the photography mediums.

Discovery Park of America Exhibit Featuring Self-taught Sculptor Hattie Marshall-Duncan to Open with a Members-only Reception with the Artist

Union City, Tenn.– Discovery Park of America will be open to the public May 27 to Oct. 24, 2022.

Art in the exhibit is on loan from a variety of collectors including the West Tennessee Regional Art Center (WTRAC) in Humboldt, Tenn., Tom & O.E. Stigall Ethnic Library and Museum in Humboldt, Tenn., Arts in McNairy in Selmer, Tenn. and the private collection of Joanna and Shawn Pitts.

Marshall-Duncan has exhibited work in many galleries, including the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, the West Tennessee Regional Arts Center in Humboldt, the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, the Latta Theater in Selmer and the Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center in Selmer. She was the recipient of the 2019 Tennessee Governor’s Folklife Heritage Award. Marshall-Duncan was also recently chosen to participate as a master artist in Tennessee’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, an initiative created to preserve rare and endangered art forms.

“At Discovery Park, we strive to share the visual arts with our guests and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee,” said Jennifer Wildes, senior collections and exhibits director for Discovery Park. “Hattie’s work certainly allows us to do that, and I look forward to sharing this special exhibit.”

“Southern Artist Showcase: Hattie Marshall-Duncan” will be on display May 27 to Oct. 27, 2022 and is free with park admission or membership.

Photo caption: Jennifer Wildes, senior collections and exhibits director for Discovery Park of America, gathering pieces for the “Southern Artist Showcase: Hattie Marshall-Duncan”

Discovery Park of America Celebrates Ag Day 2022

Union City, Tenn.— Although it was a rainy day that required many of the activities to move indoors, a crowd of more than 1,200 attended Discovery Park’s celebration of National Ag Day 2022 that took place at the museum and heritage park on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Among those in attendance were 13 student groups from throughout the region who received free admission thanks to the Kirkland Scholarship Fund. Students from all K-12 schools with 50% of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunches qualify for scholarships that pay for 100% of the ticket price to visit Discovery Park.

During the event, representatives from Discovery Park and Farm Credit Mid-America marked the beginning of construction of the Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion and greenhouses that will open at Discovery Park later in the year.

During opening remarks, Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s president and CEO, shared that Discovery Park’s board and leadership felt a greenhouse was an obvious addition to the park. “With our 50 acres of landscaped grounds, our European, American and Japanese gardens and our new exhibit, “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival,” a greenhouse just makes sense,” he said. “In the coming years, our talented grounds crew and education team will be hosting many classes and events at the Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion and greenhouses. This will also give our guests an opportunity to observe the work being done by our grounds crew.”

After additional remarks from Tim Williams, senior vice president of ag lending for Farm Credit Mid-America, Scott Williams introduced nine students who have excelled in agriculture in various ag-related clubs and organizations. After a countdown from those in attendance, the students planted wildflowers in flower pots that were on the stage.

Also at the event was Haley Wheeler, Miss Kentucky 2022, who assisted in agriculture safety protocol demonstrations. Wheeler serves as the official spokesperson for the Kentucky Proud initiative.

For a complete list of all companies and organizations that participated in National Ag Day 2022 at Discovery Park of America, visit Discoveryparkofamerica.com/blog.

Organizations and individuals may give a gift to support the building of the greenhouses, and donations may be made in memory or honor of a friend or loved one. Those who give a gift of $100 or more will be included on the sponsorship wall as a “Green Thumb” supporter. Those interested in supporting Discovery Park’s greenhouse project can make a gift on Discovery Park’s website or by contacting Mary Nita Bondurant at mbondurant@discoveryparkofamerica.com.

Educators interested in more information about planning a group visit or accessing funds from the scholarship should email education@discoveryparkofameriva.com or call Sheridan at 731-599-1132.

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Download a video package of the day’s events here.

Photo Caption: Students from various schools helping mark the beginning of construction of The Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion and greenhouses. Back row, l to r: Tim Williams, senior vice president of ag lending for Farm-Credit Mid-America, Wyatt Cunningham, Kendall Crabtree, Taylor Cantrell, Scott Williams, CEO and president for Discovery Park of America, Remi Gardner, Cassie Lewis, Haley Wheeler, Miss Kentucky, Jason Matthews, Caleb McClure, Autumn Smith and Andrew Melton, regional vice president for Farm Credit Mid-America. Front row: Suni Ray Wright.

Photo Caption: Suni Ray Wright from Union City Elementary enjoying the farm animals brought to Ag Day by Hooker Farms.

 Photo Caption: Representatives from Nutrien Ag Solutions, Tyler Hopper and Misha Sams, speaking with students at Discovery Park for Ag Day 2022.

Discovery Park of America Announces Lineup for 2022 Outdoor Concert Series, ‘Rhythm on the Rails’

Union City, Tenn.— Discovery Park of America has announced the lineup for the 2022 outdoor summer concert series, “Rhythm on the Rails,” that will begin on Fri., May 6 with a performance by American Idol runner up, Clark Beckham.

“Having an outdoor summer music series near the Depot is perfect because families can enjoy the south side of the park, fish in our lake, enjoy food trucks and listen to live music from artists in our region,” said Lauren Jones, director of events at the park. “With three new hotels right next door, this is also an opportunity for those who are from out of town to come for the weekend and visit Discovery Park on Saturday.”

Families are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and fishing gear. The gate near the Train Depot will open at 5:30 p.m., and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thanks to the support of our partners, admission is free.

The headliners for the concert series are:

May 06: Clark Beckham

May 13: The WannaBeatles

May 20: Seeing Red 

May 27: Terry Mike Jeffrey Elvis Tribute Show and Mostly Locust

June 03: The ShotGunbillys

June 10: Ghost Town Blues Band

June 17: Johnny Mac

June 24: The Tyler Goodson Band

Several other bands will be performing throughout the music series, including Pacer Pans; Brent Hinson and Matt Crosson; Angela Hollowell; Steve Short and Keith Brown; Olivia Faye; and Tips in the Jar with John & Harrison Fry.

Information on booking one of the hotels next door to Discovery Park can be found at discoveryparkofamerica.com/visit.

“Rhythm on the Rails” is sponsored by Blue Bank Resort, Williams Sausage and The Citizens Bank.

For more information, visit discoveryparkofamerica.com/rhythm.

Photo Caption: Schedule of headliners for the 2022 Rhythm on the Rails Concert Series

Miss Kentucky 2022, Haley Wheeler, Added to Ag Day 2022 at Discovery Park of America

Union City, Tenn.— Haley Wheeler, Miss Kentucky 2022, has been added to the schedule of events for Ag Day 2022 at Discovery Park of America on March 22. She will be assisting in ag safety protocol demonstrations with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Turtle Plastics, Tennessee AgrAbility and the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.

Wheeler serves as the official spokesperson for the Kentucky Proud initiative.

Joining Wheeler will be Dale Dobson, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s safety administrator, who will be spotlighting road safety with a tractor demonstration. He will also be educating those in attendance about grain safety using Turtle Plastics’ Turtle Tube Grain Bin Rescue Sleeve. The rescue sleeve is one of the items on display in Discovery Park’s exhibit, “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival.”

“I am so excited about the opportunity to share the message of farm safety with those at Discovery Park for Ag Day,” said Dobson. “Because our demonstrations are unique, we frequently hear they make a big impact on those who see them.”

Also participating in the event are more than 25 other organizations, educators and individuals who will be sharing the impact of agriculture and potential careers in the field with the hundreds of students planning to attend.

Attendees are also invited to the ground-breaking ceremony of Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion and Greenhouses that will take place that day at 11 a.m.

Students in groups will receive free admission to Ag Day 2022. For more information, email education@discoveryparkofameriva.com or call Sheridan at 731-599-1132.

Photo Caption: Miss Kentucky 2022, Haley Wheeler

Discovery Park Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Union City, Tenn.— Discovery Park of America today unveiled four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that will allow visitors to fully charge their vehicles while they visit the museum and heritage park in Union City, Tenn.

Thanks in part to support from Union City Energy Authority, the museum and heritage park was able to install four, level two EV charging stations onsite. These will supply up to 25 miles of distance for each hour the chargers are plugged into the vehicles. The chargers are located in the lower south parking lot behind The Train Depot and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis during Discovery Park’s regular operating hours and during special events

“Those of us at Discovery Park are always looking for ways to contribute to a reduction in our carbon footprint and provide services our guests are looking for,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “We are very grateful for Union City Energy Authority’s generous support of this project so we could make it happen for visitors to Obion County.”

These chargers will be filling a need for EV charging stations as currently there are only two in Union City and two in nearby Martin, Tenn.

One of the other charging stations in Union City is located at the offices of Pediatric Place of Union City. Dr. John Bates, founder of Pediatric Place, has driven an electric vehicle for many years and worked with Discovery Park on their charging stations.

“I know how often visitors to our area stop at Pediatric Place to charge their cars,” said Dr. Bates. “I’m grateful to see Discovery Park is working to make this a better, brighter and greener community.”

Over the next several decades, the U.S. will change over largely to zero-emission vehicles if global climate goals are to be met. Currently, electric vehicles make up only a small portion of the automobiles sold worldwide, but that is changing quickly. According to BloomburgNEF, sales are now growing due to a combination of policy support, improvements in battery technology and cost, more chargers like the ones at Discovery Park being built and new models coming from automakers.

For example, Ford Motor Company recently announced a planned automotive assembly complex about 80 miles south of Discovery Park in Haywood County, Tenn. Blue Oval City will be operated by Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation, and is expected to be operational in 2025. The facility will primarily consist of an automotive assembly plant that will produce electric Ford F-150 Lightening pickup trucks and a plant that will manufacture electric vehicle batteries, as well as a battery recycling facility, suppliers and a training center.

Visitors with electric cars can find Discovery Park’s charging stations on the Plugshare and ChargeHub apps and other places chargers are listed.

Photo Caption: Dr. John Bates, founder of Pediatric Place of Union City, tests the electric vehicle charging stations at Discovery Park of America.

‘Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure’ Coming to Discovery Park of America

Union City, Tenn.— “Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure” will be making its debut in Tennessee at Discovery Park of America in the museum’s ATA Temporary Exhibit Hall June 18, 2022 to Jan. 8, 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 Seas” 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.

Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, said of the exhibition, “The steampunk movement contains so many concepts that are vital for young people to learn: engineering, artistry, innovation and collaboration to name a few. I am proud of the Imagine Exhibitions team for putting together such an engaging exhibition that ties these concepts together — using the fun and fanciful steampunk aesthetic as the central theme to inspire guests to think differently about the past, present and future.”

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.”

The exhibit is also designed with school groups and teachers in mind. An educator guide composed of 16 activities is available for teachers to make a field trip to Discovery Park even more meaningful. Included are activities that cover a variety of performance standards for students in grades three through eight.  Thanks to the Kirkland Scholarship, students from all K-12 schools with 50% of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunches qualify for a scholarship that pays for 100% of the ticket price to visit Discovery Park and experience this exhibit.

“Everyone in the education department at Discovery Park is passionate about helping teachers ignite and inspire the next generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators,” said Polly Brasher, Discovery Park’s senior director of education and guest experience. “This one-of-a-kind exhibit provides an opportunity for us to do what we do best.”

Teachers and administrators wishing to book a school group should download Discovery Park’s Student Group Planning Guide, e-mail reservations@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call reservations at 731-885-5455.

“Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure” will be at Discovery Park June 18, 2022 to Jan. 8, 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.