All active military service members, veterans and their guests receive free admission to Discovery Park for the event.

Union City, Tenn. – Discovery Park of America is hosting its annual Military History and Armed Forces Symposium on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29.

The event will feature a variety of programs and interactive activities that explore the past, present and future of the American military. All active military service members, veterans and their guests will receive free admission to Discovery Park during both days of this event.

Sponsored by Union City Coca-Cola and Dixie Gun Works, the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium features presentations from special guests, static and active military equipment, vehicle demonstrations and gallery talks. Guests will also experience historical interpreters and living historians throughout the museum and park.

Friday has been planned with students in mind and will include a keynote by Cpl. John Henley. Born and raised in Boise City, Oklahoma, Henley entered the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and trained as a field artilleryman stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, with the 2nd Marine Division. In June 1970, Henley was attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/9 3rd Marine Division and served in Vietnam, Okinawa and the Philippines before he was honorably discharged in 1971. He went on to graduate from the Sunset School of Biblical Studies and served as a full-time minister for 42 years until his retirement in 2019.

A VIP reception will be held on Friday night to bring awareness to resources available to all military personnel. Operation Song, an organization of songwriters who work with veterans and active-duty military to tell their stories through song, will provide entertainment. The VIP reception is open to former and current members of the armed forces plus a guest.

Saturday’s keynote will be provided by Lt. Col. Bernard House, professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin. House is also the overall leader of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps battalion at both Murray State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. A native of Lexa, Arkansas, House was commissioned into the United States Army in 1997 from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Lt. Col. Ron Powell (Ret.) will provide educational programming in the upper military gallery on Friday and Saturday. Serving as an Army chaplain for 34 years, Powell gives presentations about the history of chaplains in the military from the Civil War through the present.

Saturday will also feature a panel discussion led by Stefan Maupin and special guest Cindy Kent, author of “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam.” The panel will include some of the men who are highlighted in Kent’s compilation of stories from 14 Vietnam veterans. Before they became brothers of war, they were brothers at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, the national agriculture fraternity.

“Our education team has put together two days of insightful and experiential activities that highlight the past, present and future of our nation’s armed forces,” said Emalee Buttrey, Ph.D., director of education, programming and museum experience at the museum. “For guests passionate about history and the military, this event is going to provide a lot to discover.”

Both days of the 2023 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium will also feature reenactment groups, including the 1st Infantry Division WWII Reenactors, the 52nd Regimental String Band and The Living Historians. Military equipment is on display on the grounds throughout the weekend.

A variety of military-related vendors will exhibit in Dino Hall, including the Veteran’s Museum of Halls, Tennessee, Irreverent Warriors, Special Ops Xcursions, Tennessee State Guard, Tennessee Army National Guard, UTM ROTC, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services and Wreaths Across America.

Attendees also can explore Discovery Park’s Military Gallery, which can be found on two levels of the museum. The lower level contains a collection of military vehicles and weapons, as well as displays about the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and our current military conflicts. Displays about the Civil War, World War I and World War II can be found on the entry-level along with an oral history theater that showcases stories shared by veterans.

All the programs, panel discussions and other events during the symposium are included with park admission or membership.

All active military service members, veterans and their guests receive free admission on both days of the event.

School group leaders wanting to request scholarships for student groups should email education@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731-885-5455.

For a full list of events and biographies on special guests, visit discoveryparkofamerica.com/military2023.

Visitors gather around living historians at the 2022 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium.

We kicked off our 10th birthday celebration by honoring four individuals who, like us, inspire children and adults to see beyond.

Our third annual Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards were completely sold out! Guests attended from around the region to joined us in celebrating the honorees, all of whom have deep roots in the region. Speaking of, the 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Keith Carver, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Their names, photos and bios have been added to a kiosk located in our front lobby, alongside those of the 10 previous honorees.

Keli McAlister was our event host and master of ceremonies. Now the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s public information officer, she previously spent two decades as a television news journalist working in Jackson, Tennessee; Oklahoma City; and Seattle.

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony performed individually throughout the entry level of the museum during the cocktail hour and then provided dinner entertainment as a group. A served dinner, prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah, included a 10th birthday gourmet cupcake.

Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams welcomed our audience and noted the spirit of volunteerism that has defined our museum since 2013. Williams read a statement from Discovery Park founder Robert Kirkland that the philanthropist made on opening day, Nov. 1, 2013. Kirkland said: “We are so pleased with what the committees did through the years. We can’t thank the people here enough who have helped us out. What you see here would be millions of dollars’ worth of creative time that was provided free by local citizens.” Williams pointed out that Robert Kirkland was always proud of the contributions from his friends and neighbors.

Later in the evening, Lionel Crews, Ph.D., associate professor with the department of chemistry and physics at UTM shared his thoughts about the impact of Discovery Park on the region and introduced a video featuring some of the museum’s earliest volunteers. The video can be viewed online at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/2023.

In his acceptance speech, honoree Keith Carver noted the celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday coincides with growth throughout the region. He said, “As I think about Discovery Park bringing so many people to the region, it reminds me of everything happening here right now. From Blue Oval City and the expansion of I-69 to the growth of the manufacturing and automotive industries here, it’s safe to say there are some great days ahead for West Tennessee.”

Photos from the evening are on Discovery Park’s Flickr page.

Photo Caption l to r: Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, John Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and James Ross, president and CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare.

March 6, 2023

Union City, Tenn. — On Saturday evening, March 4,  Discovery Park of America kicked off its 10th birthday year celebration by honoring four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire those whose lives they’ve touched.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards were attended by a sold-out crowd from around the region who joined Discovery Park in celebrating the honorees, all of whom have deep roots in the region. The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Keith Carver, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

The honorees’ names, photos and bios have been added to a kiosk alongside those of the 10 previous honorees.

Keli McAlister was event host and master of ceremonies. Now the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s public information officer, she previously spent two decades as a television news journalist working in Jackson, Tennessee; Oklahoma City; and Seattle.

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony performed individually throughout the entry level of the museum during the cocktail hour and then provided dinner entertainment as a group. A served dinner, prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah, included a 10th birthday gourmet cupcake.

Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams welcomed the audience and noted the spirit of volunteerism that defined the museum since the beginning. Williams read a statement from Discovery Park founder Robert Kirkland that the philanthropist made on opening day, Nov. 1, 2013. Kirkland said: “We are so pleased with what the committees did through the years. We can’t thank the people here enough who have helped us out. What you see here would be millions of dollars’ worth of creative time that was provided free by local citizens.” Williams pointed out that Robert Kirkland was always proud of the contributions from his friends and neighbors.

Later in the evening, Lionel Crews, Ph.D., associate professor with the department of chemistry and physics at UTM shared his thoughts about the impact of Discovery Park on the region and introduced a video featuring some of the museum’s earliest volunteers. The video can be viewed online at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/2023.

In his acceptance speech, honoree Keith Carver noted the celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday coincides with growth throughout the region. He said, “As I think about Discovery Park bringing so many people to the region, it reminds me of everything happening here right now. From Blue Oval City and the expansion of I-69 to the growth of the manufacturing and automotive industries here, it’s safe to say there are some great days ahead for West Tennessee.”

Photos from the evening are on Discovery Park’s Flickr page.

Feb. 24, 2023

Union City, Tenn.— Discovery Park of America has announced a new partnership with Total Tech Solutions that includes naming rights of the museum and heritage park’s new performance venue. The Total Tech Solutions Stage will be located on the south side of the park near the Train Depot.

Total Tech Solutions is a provider of burglary and fire alarms, surveillance cameras, access control and data and managed information technology. They serve commercial, educational, industrial and residential customers throughout Tennessee and Kentucky.

The announcement was made at Discovery Park on Thursday at the official kick-off of the celebration of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce’s 100th birthday. That event, also sponsored by Total Tech Solutions, included a free concert by Randall French, John McDaniel and Darryl Worley.

“As our business continues to grow and expand, we’ve been looking for ways we can support the communities we serve,” said Total Tech Solutions’s founder and chief executive officer Chaz Robinson. “I believe providing a way to encourage more live music in the region is a great way to do that.”

“Discovery Park has been the host of many live performances since first opening to the public ten years ago, but these are always on temporary stages we put up and take down,” said Discovery Park’s president and CEO Scott Williams. “All of us here are grateful to Total Tech Solutions for providing a permanent stage in West Tennessee for entertainment of all kinds.”

The Total Tech Solutions Stage will first open to the public on Friday, May 5, 2023 for the opening night of Discovery Park’s free, annual summer music festival, Rhythm on the Rails.

Although the full festival lineup has not yet been announced, entertainment for the festival will include Texas Hill with Adam Wakefield, Ghost Town Blues Band and B.B. King’s Blues Club All-Star Band.

Photo Caption: Artist’s rendering of The Total Tech Solutions Stage that will be located on the south side of Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn.

The 2023 Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser promises to be a fun and exciting celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday and the contributions of our four honorees.

In addition to a live and silent auction, dinner prepared by award-winning chefs and complimentary champagne, the entertainment for the evening will be provided by musicians from the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.

The awards ceremony and fundraiser, emceed by Keli McAlister, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation public information officer, will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the honorees on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Her Excellency Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor for the University of Tennessee at Martin
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony will perform individually throughout the venue during the cocktail hour and then provide dinner entertainment as a group.

The Jackson Symphony is the oldest symphony in the state of Tennessee and employs approximately 75 professional musicians to perform in their full concerts. The “Symphony on the Move” program was born out of the Covid-19 Pandemic as a way to take music to neighborhoods and surrounding communities when venues were not allowed to host events. They began with a goal of performing 10 concerts and have now completed approximately 60.

In addition to concerts, The Jackson Symphony is committed to Outreach; their Music and Healing Program sends musicians weekly into the Kirkland Cancer Center, and they frequently play for retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and veteran’s homes. The Jackson Symphony also runs a Children’s and Youth Choir, Youth Orchestra and a Sinfonia and Camerata program.

The musicians playing during the 2023 Discovery Awards include:

• Charles Lewis, flute
• Doug Owens, saxophone
• Benjamin Duffey, piano
• DJ Culp, percussion
• Elise Dougan, violin
• Josh Dougan, base
• Roberto DeSanto, cello

Also joining the symphony during dinner is soprano Alyssa Altobell. A native of Texas, she earned her Master’s Degree in Opera Performance at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in Philadelphia, during which time she sang in various operatic roles as well as in the chorus of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Her undergraduate degree is from SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Music. She now lives in Jackson, Tenn., where she is a staffing specialist. Alyssa has taught voice lessons for several years, she sings with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and enjoys being involved in Jackson Theatre Guild’s summer musicals.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser will be held at Discovery Park of America, (830 Everett Blvd., Union City, Tennessee,) on Saturday, March 4, 2023 with cocktails beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the awards dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Information on tickets and tables can be found at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/gala2023.

Feb. 20, 2023

Union City, Tenn. – Discovery Park of America announced Linda Lu Stone Harding has been selected as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year during a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Blake’s Southern Milling in Martin. Harding, who was born in and has lived in Union City all her life, has been volunteering for more than five years at the museum and heritage park.

When working at Discovery Park, Harding can frequently be found at the information table helping guests plan their day or making recommendations about other attractions, hotels or restaurants that are in the area.

“Volunteering at Discovery Park is such a wonderful and rewarding experience,” Harding said. “I meet people from all over the world, and hopefully make their experience in our region even better. It’s also always fun to run across people when I travel who mention Discovery Park. I’m always proud to say, ‘I work there.’”

On an average year, Discovery Park has around 30 active volunteers who perform duties in the museum, on the grounds, as craftspeople and in advisory roles.

“A robust volunteer program is one of the best indicators of a healthy non-profit museum,” said Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s president and CEO. “All of us at Discovery Park are so grateful to our volunteers like Linda who enhance our visitors’ experiences in so many ways.”

Discovery Park will host two information sessions on the volunteer program on Monday, March 6 at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Tennessee Room. Many different volunteer opportunities exist currently, and duties can be tailored to meet individuals’ passions and interests. To sign up for the session or for more information, please email Samantha Simbeck at ssimbeck@discoveryparkofamerica.com.

Photo Caption: Discovery Park’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Linda Lu Harding

Photo caption: Discovery Park’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Linda Lu Harding, along with fellow volunteers and Discovery Park staff. (seated, l to r) Linda Lu Harding, Cherry Pyron and Kathy Davis (standing, l to r) David Hill, Russell Orr, Samantha Simbeck, Alice Fennel, Emalee Buttrey, Sue Ellen Morris and Scott Williams.

We’ve got some cool news for members and guests who love history as much as we do. Discovery Park of America will be the venue for an information session for those in Northwest Tennessee interested in The Civil War Trails. On Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, 4 – 5 p.m. CT., Drew Gruber, executive director of the program, will be presenting over Zoom.

Civil War Trails has been working with communities since 1994 to share their stories and connect visitors across a network that now spans six states. Travelers look to Civil War Trails to put them in the footsteps of the generals, soldiers, citizens and the enslaved who found themselves in the midst of the Civil War.

Civil War sites are known to be a major generator of tourism dollars. In the National Park Service’s 2019 Visitor Spending Effects Report, the data showed 18.8 million recreational visits to battlefields managed by the National Park Service. These visits supported an average of 464 jobs within each surrounding community, producing an average of $14.5 million in labor income.

“While there are many points of interest relating to the Civil War in Northwest, Tennessee, there are only a small number of sites included on the trail compared to the rest of the state,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “We hope by hosting this session, we can see Northwest Tennessee better represented. That will lead to an increase in visitors to this area to experience everything we have to offer in this region.”

During the session, Gruber will review procedures on adding a site to the Civil War Trails program, the types of sites that are approved for inclusion, the tourism-related benefits communities may anticipate, costs, case studies and more.

The Civil War Trails program boasts over 1,550 interpretive signs across five states. Every Civil War Trails interpretive sign is supported by placement in a signature map-guides and other print and digital media.

“Civil War Trails not only distributes several thousand maps monthly, but our partners continually promote our sites through the cooperative nature of the program,” said Drew Gruber, executive director of the program. “Additionally, we ensure that visitors, whether by chance or design, find an attractive and well-maintained sign at each site.”

To reserve a spot at the info session in person or on Zoom, contact our social media manager Alexis Millsaps at 731-885-5455 or amillsaps@discoveryparkofamerica.com.

A new Civil War Trails directional sign was installed at Fort Hill in Waverly, TN late last year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

Photo Caption 2. Each Civil War Trails site around the nation has a dual-leg interpretive sign like this one which was installed in Goldsboro, NC earlier this year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

Feb. 7, 2023

Discovery Park of America Hosting Informational Session about Civil War Trails to Increase Tourism in Northwest Tennessee 

Union City, Tenn.—Discovery Park of America will be the venue for an information session for those in Northwest Tennessee interested in The Civil War Trails on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, 4 – 5 p.m. CT. Presenting at the session via Zoom will be Drew Gruber, executive director of the program.

Civil War Trails has been working with communities since 1994 to share their stories and connect visitors across a network that now spans six states. Travelers look to Civil War Trails to put them in the footsteps of the generals, soldiers, citizens and the enslaved who found themselves in the midst of the Civil War.

Civil War sites are known to be a major generator of tourism dollars. In the National Park Service’s 2019 Visitor Spending Effects Report, the data showed 18.8 million recreational visits to battlefields managed by the National Park Service. These visits supported an average of 464 jobs within each surrounding community, producing an average of $14.5 million in labor income.

“While there are many points of interest relating to the Civil War in Northwest, Tennessee, there are only a small number of sites included on the trail compared to the rest of the state,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “We hope by hosting this session, we can see Northwest Tennessee better represented. That will lead to an increase in visitors to this area to experience everything we have to offer in this region.”

During the session, Gruber will review procedures on adding a site to the Civil War Trails program, the types of sites that are approved for inclusion, the tourism-related benefits communities may anticipate, costs, case studies and more.

The Civil War Trails program boasts over 1,550 interpretive signs across five states. Every Civil War Trails interpretive sign is supported by placement in a signature map-guides and other print and digital media.

“Civil War Trails not only distributes several thousand maps monthly, but our partners continually promote our sites through the cooperative nature of the program, said Drew Gruber, executive director of the program. “Additionally, we ensure that visitors, whether by chance or design, find an attractive and well-maintained sign at each site.”

To reserve a spot at the info session in person or on Zoom, contact Alexis Millsaps at 731-885-5455 or amillsaps@discoveryparkofamerica.com

Photo Caption: A new Civil War Trails directional sign was installed at Fort Hill in Waverly, TN late last year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

Photo Caption: Each Civil War Trails site around the nation has a dual-leg interpretive sign like this one which was installed in Goldsboro, NC earlier this year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

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About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 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.

The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the winners, all of whom have deep roots in West Tennessee. Our event will feature entertainment from a variety of musicians from the region and a served dinner prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah.

Q: What would you say is your most popular menu item?

Our most popular Sandwich is, by far, the Three Little Pigs.  It consists of roasted pork loin, ham, spiced bacon and apple-apricot chutney.  It’s served on our homemade hoagie.  It’s hard to say what our most popular dessert is.  Our French Vanilla Butternut cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is very popular, along with our Black Velvet cake that is made with extra dark cocoa, and has a dark chocolate buttercream frosting.

Q: Artisan Kitchen has four major aspects to its business. Tell us a little about them.

Artisan Kitchen has four major aspects to its business.

First is the café which offers a creative assortment of sandwiches, salads and creative specials.

Second is the corporate and private catering ranging from the simple and casual to the most formal of events and weddings.

Third is desserts, wedding cakes, and specialty designer cakes.

And fourth is the made from scratch, home meal replacement offerings.

Q: Some of your Google Reviews compare you and Karla’s patience and general know-how of techniques and equipment to that of the well-known show “Chopped.” What do you think about this comparison?

Karla and I definitely work very well together.  She is by far the more knowledgeable in regards to the technical aspects of cooking and baking.  She has an incredible sense of taste, and can really build a flavor profile of a dish from the ground up.

While I love to cook, and have garnered a great deal of knowledge over my career, I am more logistically and customer service oriented.  Together we make a great team.  As for the comparison to the chefs of “Chopped”, we definitely have the competitive spirit and energy.

Q: It seems like your business is quite relationally run– meaning you build relationships with your staff as well as the guests that come and go. How did this practice begin for you, as a business owner?

Part of it came from watching my Father interact with customers at his orchard.  He took great pride in his work, and loved to share and get to know the people who came to the orchard. It was very much a social experience.

Additionally, my first job in food service was at a bed and breakfast and restaurant. I learned a lot about not just serving, but also getting to know our customers like guests and old friends.

From a staff perspective, each of us have very specific responsibilities for certain areas of production, and this leads to everyone taking a real sense of pride in their work, and, as well, builds a very strong interdependence among us.