Whimsical Art Added to the 50-acre Outdoor Heritage Park

May 26, 2020 – When we reopen our 50-acre outdoor heritage park to the public on June 1, 2020, you will see a new addition that is “out of this world.” The whimsical piece of art, sculpted and donated by John Toras from Marshall County, Ky., is constructed of stainless steel and named Master of the Universe. It features a child holding a spaceship that spins in the wind.

When asked why he named this particular piece the Master of the Universe, John said, “The children of the world today are the future of tomorrow. They can all be the master of the universe one day.” And we couldn’t agree more.

John began applying his skills as a certified pipe fitter and welder to create art in 1977 when he began experimenting with various techniques and methods of welding. He begins most pieces with scrap stainless steel he picks up from a variety of places around his home.

“We often say that you’ll find something inspirational around every corner at Discovery Park,” said Jennifer Wildes, director of exhibits. “Because of all the unique, one-of-kind artifacts on display both inside and out, this artwork fits in very nicely here.”

You can experience a whole display of John’s artwork when we receive more than 15 pieces for an outdoor exhibit that will be open July 1 – Oct. 2, 2020. But until then, come visit our 50 acres of inspiration when we open June 1. We will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for deep cleaning. Purchase your tickets online and save 15% and enjoy no-touch admission.

Come Together and Give on #GivingTuesdayNow

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

May 5, 2020 – Since Discovery Park of America first closed on March 17, 2020 because of the threat brought on by the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, the goal has been the safety and welfare of our community, guests and staff. Still, our team continues to find new and creative ways to share the mission of Discovery Park, regardless of the loss of income from admission, membership, special events and education programs.

Now is the time we need your help more than ever before to join our mission or inspiring children and adults to see beyond. Your gift allows educators at Discovery Park to develop more programs that are educational and enlightening for guests. Generous people like you support our STEAM Saturdays, art classes and educational weekends like Civil War Days and Military Living History, as well as allow entire classrooms full of students to visit through our scholarship program.

Impact Video

Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn. touches hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Benefiting from our transformative experiences are students who get to visit because their teacher took them out of the classroom for a hands-on, state-of-the-art learning experience, families who visit from around the world to discover something new around every corner and adults who participate in classes and panel discussions on a variety of topics relevant today. The museum and park is making a big difference in countless lives, and this could not happen without individuals and organizations who support the mission with their time, talents and financial support.

Impact Report

Our 2019 Impact Report is now available online to view. You will see what all Discovery Park of America offered guests when the visited, whether it was with their family, on a field trip or during a teacher workshop. These educational programs would not be made possible without the support of our generous donors and supporters.

Help Continue our Mission of Inspiring Children and Adults to See Beyond

John and Mitzi Crouse recently donated to Discovery Park of America’s mission. When we asked her why she chose us, she said,

“We took our granddaughter to Discovery Park of America few years ago. We all really enjoyed everything you have to offer. We have been receiving your updates for quite awhile. I was reading the current one and thought, what can we do to help during these crazy times? Hence, the donation. Discovery Park offers so much fun, learning opportunities, nature, etc. to adults and children alike, we wanted to help a little until you can reopen.”

How to give

You can join our mission and give back by becoming a member or donating online. If you become a member online, your twelve-month membership will begin when you are able to activate it at Discovery Park of America. Either way you choose, we thank you now for the generations of students and guests who will visit Discovery Park when we open and for years to come.

Become a Member

Give Today

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre 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.

Share the #SpiritofTravel on Social Media during National Travel and Tourism Week

May 2, 2020 – Right now, your travel plans may be paused, rescheduled or sadly cancelled due to COVID-19. But, that does not mean you cannot experience travel virtually and start planning your experiences this week during U.S. Travel’s National Travel and Tourism Week. This week honors the spirit of travel in recognition of the industry’s strength, selfessness and resiliency.

This week is also about all travelers. You may be one who enjoys a European vacation, or you may be someone who likes to explore the small towns in your own state. Whether you are a world traveler or a weekend getaway close-to-home type, the #SpiritofTravel is in all of us.

National Travel and Tourism Week is May 3-9, and Discovery Park of America is participating in bringing you the spirit of travel. We have a moment each day in which you can join the conversation on social media using #nttw20 and #SpiritOfTravel on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. All this week, we will be highlighting what our followers enjoy the most when they travel to Discovery Park. There will also be some giveaways throughout the week, and we will wrap up National Travel and Tourism Week with a video where we asked several Discovery Park employees, “What does travel mean to you?”

To keep up with the week, be sure to follow Discovery Park of America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

• Sun., May 3: Learn about National Travel and Tourism Week in this blog!
• Mon., May 4: Share your favorite exhibits and artifacts at Discovery Park of America.
  • We will be sharing pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with photos of exhibits, galleries and artifacts that guests have shared with us!
• Tues., May 5: Virtual Road Trip
  • Tennessee will be on the #VirtualRoadTrip with @USTravel on Twitter at 1:30 p.m. CDT. Watch for some fun facts about @DiscoveryParkUC and travel during this time!
• Wed., May 6: Tourism Partnership Spotlights
  • Northwest Tennessee is full of fun places to explore. Not only can you visit Discovery Park of America, but you can also view the beautiful Reelfoot Lake State Park and eat catfish at Blue Bank Resort, enjoy a wine tasting at White Squirrel Winery in Kenton or a taste of moonshine at Full Throttle Distillery in Trimble, eat a hamburger as big as your head and a milkshake just as big at The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar in Martin, plus so much more. All these and more will be featured during #nttw20. You may even be inspired to start making plans to experience Northwest Tennessee later this year!
• Thurs., May 7: It’s giveaway time! Tune in on Facebook and Instagram to see what you can win! Hint: it involves some free passes and swag from Discovery Park!
• Fri., May 8: #FlashbackFriday is one of our favorite social media trends. We will share some throwback pictures of what Discovery Park looked like before it was even open. If you have any pictures or stories about the beginnings of Discovery Park, but sure to share them with us.
• Sat., May 9: We conclude #nttw20 by announcing the winners of the giveaways as well as sharing our video of “What does travel mean to you?” Let us know what travel means to you in the comments of the video, too!

Discovery Park of America is a destination for travelers of all ages. Even though attractions across the world are closed or limiting their number of visitors, we can come together during this week and share the #SpiritofTravel virtually until it is time to explore again.

Discovery Park will be opening our 50-acre heritage park on June 1, 2020 for guests to enjoy. Click here to learn more details about Discovery Park’s reopening plans, cleaning processes and more.

Ronald Reagan: The 40th President of the United States of America

May 1, 2020 – Hollywood actor, union leader, governor and oldest president at the time of his election are only a few of the hats that Ronald Reagan wore throughout his 93 years of life. You can find Reagan standing comfortably, casually holding his signature cowboy hat behind him, alongside the other four statues overlooking Freedom Square.

Reagan’s approval ratings rivaled that of one of his political inspirations, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Coming from humble origins in northern Illinois, Reagan worked his way from radio announcer to Hollywood’s big screens. He served as a stateside Army Captain while also participating in the Screen Actors Guild, eventually becoming a long running president of the organization.

As president, Reagan dealt with high-stakes issues such as an assassination attempt, the Cold war and the 1980 Iran-Iraq war. His financial initiatives, such as supply-side economics that reduced taxes and government spending, were named “Reaganomics” and exist as key debate points in politics to this day.

Reagan’s career was recent enough that many who visit the park will remember his influence on their own lifetimes, but for those too young to remember, his statue will serve as an opportunity to inspire a new generation to see beyond.

For more “Did You Know” articles, check out our latest blog posts.

Also, be sure to watch our “Moments of Discovery” on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Q & A with John Watkins, Garden Guru at Discovery Park

May 1, 2020 – Growing up, I always had a fascination with Greek mythology. Even though I couldn’t pronounce half of the names in those old tales, I thought it was kind of neat how the ancient Greeks came up with some pretty elaborate stories to explain things they couldn’t understand. (Kind of the same way that I used to try and explain algebra to my boys when they were young.) The Greeks had some especially interesting ideas about how plants came into being and thus many plants to this day bear the names from these tales. So in order to get the real low-down, I thought I might sit down and have a little conversation with our own resident Greek Titan here at Discovery Park, Prometheus.

John: “Prometheus, thanks so much for taking a little time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. I know you’re really chained to your work, but I was wondering if you could give us a little more insight into how some our modern day plants came into being?”

Prometheus: “I always welcome the opportunity to enlighten humans about our ancient history. Besides, it might be a pleasant distraction from this eagle that is constantly trying to pull my liver out!”

John: “Yeah, sorry about that. Let’s start with one of my favorite spring flowers, the Hyacinth.”

Prometheus: “Ah yes, that’s a good one alright. As you probably know, Hyacinthus is the Latin name for your modern hyacinth. In my time, Hyacinthus was a popular lad who included as his friends such notables as Apollo and Zephyrus the West Wind. One day, Hyacinthus and Apollo were out flinging the old Frisbee around (or discus as we called it). Apollo yelled to Hyacinthus, “Goest thou deep”, and then he let the discus fly. Hyacinthus told Apollo, “Holdest my ale”, and ran to make a magnificent one-handed grab. But Zephyrus (who was jealous because he wasn’t invited to play), blew up a mighty wind and caused the discus to go off course. The discus struck Hyacinthus in the head and killed him right on the spot. Now Apollo was so upset that he made a little flower out of the spilled blood. I even heard that Apollo’s tears stained the newly formed flower’s petals. And that’s where you get your present day Hyacinth. If you want to take a little friendly advice from old Prometheus, don’t play Ultimate Frisbee on a windy day unless you invite all your friends.”

John: “Those definitely sound like words to live by. Thanks again for taking the time to share with us and I certainly hope we can continue our discussion in the future!”

The Saber-Toothed Cat

April 28, 2020 – How might you answer the question, “where did saber-toothed cats live?” In the treeless tundra of modern Canada? In the jungles of South America? If you were to answer with either of these statements, you would be correct. Saber-toothed cats were not one species, or even a group of closely related species, but many different organisms that shared a similar appearance. One such species, the South-American Thylacosmilus, is believed to have been a marsupial! Without a doubt, the most famous creature to have earned the title of saber-toothed cat is Smilodon.

Smilodon had a diverse range of habitats, from subtropical to subarctic, but the largest collection of saber-toothed cat fossils, and those most referenced in science, were not recovered from an icy pit or a rainforest floor; they were recovered from Hancock Park in urban Los Angeles, California.

The La Brea Tar Pits were pivotal in the formation of Hancock Park when W.W. Orcutt, a petroleum geologist, noted the presence of prehistoric fossils in the natural asphalt pits on the Hancock Ranch in Los Angeles in 1901. Since then, hundreds of saber-toothed cats, as well as mammoths, dire wolves, ground sloths, and dozens of other mammal species from the Pleistocene Epoch have been recovered from the pits. The Smilodon specimens were so well preserved and so abundant that in 1973, the California state legislature adopted the Smilodon as the California State Fossil.

The specimen in the Natural History Gallery here at Discovery Park of America was cast from one of these very specimens and stands as a local access point to this incredibly piece of America’s paleontological heritage.

For more “Did You Know” articles, check out our latest blog posts.

Also, be sure to watch our “Moments of Discovery” on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Pickelhaube

Did you know?

April 26, 2020 – The distinctive spiked infantry helmet on display at Discovery Park is called the “Pickelhaube,” and the design is still in use today!

The word “pickelhaube” might sound confusing at first, bringing to mind food instead of pointed objects, but other English words like “peak,” “pick,” “spike,” “pickaxe,” or the “pike,” a historic polearm consisting of a wooden shaft up to 25 feet long topped with a steel spearhead, all refer to pointed things. In German, “pickel” has several translations, including “point,” “pick,” and “pickaxe,” and “haube” means “hood,” or “cap.”

The headgear is heavily associated with the military tradition of the Kingdom of Prussia, a nation of moderate size whose formidable army allowed it to become a great power in Europe and take the dominant position among the German states which joined together in 1871. When the German Empire was formed, their constitution codified that whoever was King of Prussia was also Emperor of Germany.

Though the pickelhaube’s point may have been useful in deflecting saber blows on the battlefields of the 1800’s, the helmet proved problematic in World War I, with the shiny spike protruding from trenches and drawing fire. Needing better-protecting and easier-to-produce headgear, and facing leather shortages, Germany replaced the pickelhaube.

Though the German Empire collapsed in 1918, other nations wished to emulate the Prussian army and its successes, so the pickelhaube is still traditionally worn, sometimes with elaborate horsehair ornamentation, by parading soldiers and honor guards even today.

In our Military Gallery, visitors can view an authentic pickelhaube made in 1915. It is standard-issue and was made from leather by “Rudolf Witmer & Co,” with a metal spike on top, and a metal plate in front displaying the crowned eagle found on the Prussian flag.

For more “Did You Know” articles, check out our latest blog posts.

Also, be sure to watch our “Moments of Discovery” on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Basket Weaving: A 10,000-Year-Old Craft

Did you know?

April 23, 2020 – Humans have been weaving baskets for at least 10,000 years, and the basic principles used by the first weavers are still in practice today. As the craftsmen working in Discovery Park of America’s Settlement will tell you – “over and under, over and under, and then over and under again.” A number of more advanced techniques have been developed over the millennia, of course, including several Appalachian and Midwestern traditions that pioneers of this region were among the first to employ in the 19th century.

The primary material used by pioneers in this area for basket weaving was the bark of hickory, willow and white oak trees, which can be removed from the trunk, cut into strips and woven into baskets. This is accomplished using drawknives, like the four on display in the Settlement’s Tool Barn. This was a long process and the entire process, from falling a tree to completing a basket, could take weeks or even months. This made baskets a precious commodity in the 19th century and a pioneering family would have treated them with great care.

Handmade baskets can be found in the Regional History Gallery in Discovery Center, but the David Crockett Cabin in The Settlement offers the unique opportunity to watch the magic happen. Discovery Park’s basket-weaving demonstrator, Carol Whitmore, has been weaving baskets for over 30 years and has worked in historical interpretation and museums even longer. Carol can be found working in the Craftsmen Room of the David Crockett Cabin alongside a collection of her work.

For more “Did You Know” articles, check out our latest blog posts.

Also, be sure to watch our “Moments of Discovery” on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Ironclads of the Civil War

Did you know?

April 20, 2020 – The mid-19th century saw the development of more sophisticated, longer range guns and artillery. The wooden ships used by most navies at the time were ill-equipped to deal with firepower like this. The naval warfare environment was changing rapidly, and so innovation was needed. This innovation came in the form of the ironclad warship.

The first ironclads, developed in Europe by the French, were merely the standard ship design of the time with added metal plates on the side to protect against deadlier artillery. These designs jumped the Atlantic Ocean to see use in the American Civil War, where they were refined and changed to accommodate the shallower western riverfronts where many naval battles took place. Steamboats outfitted with metal plates saw use in battle, and the Union forces eventually developed the gunship that is now synonymous with the word “ironclad.”

These steam-powered ships sat somewhat low in the water and were nearly completely covered with heavy plating, making them quite impervious to standard gunfire, artillery, and even cannon fire. Fleets utilizing the ironclad could finally go toe-to-toe with armored forts, and in March of 1862, at the Battle of Hampton Roads in Virginia, the world saw its first naval engagement between opposing ironclad forces. The USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the steam frigate USS Merrimack) dueled until the Virginia retreated, neither side able to inflict serious damage to the other.

Naval warfare had changed forever, and the ironclads of the Civil War would evolve into the gunboats and battleships we know today. Be sure to check out our cross-section of a Union ironclad located in our Military Gallery next time you visit Discovery Park of America.

For more “Did You Know” articles, check out our latest blog posts.

Also, be sure to watch our “Moments of Discovery” on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

1800s Lye Soap Recipe Calls for One Pig and One Hickory Tree

Did you know?

April 17, 2020 – In the 21st century, “soap” has a broad definition. It could refer to the basic hygienic materials we each consume via our local grocery stores, or it could refer to more luxurious cosmetic goods found in shopping malls and high-end shops, like our favorite Buff City Soap. Soap could be in the form of hand soap, body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent, car-wash soap, dish-washing detergent, or countless other industrial forms.

But in the mid-1800s in West Tennessee, there were no grocery stores or shopping malls or Buff City Soap stores. Obion County was on the edge of civilization, which meant that if the pioneers of that time needed a certain item, they would have to make it themselves. This meant that “soap” was typically a rudimentary homecraft made of materials already on hand. Oddly enough, for an overwhelming majority of pioneers, all that was needed to make soap was a pig and a hickory tree.

Due to the ease of preserving meat in colder temperatures, the optimal time for butchering livestock was in December and January, so soap-making typically occurred in the winter. After a hog had been slaughtered and its palatable parts removed, much of what was left was fatty tissue. This soft tissue could then be boiled down into a substance that we are familiar with – lard! Lard is the pork product used in the production of lye soap.

Another benefit of making soap in the winter is that fresh ashes were often available from a wood stove. If the wood burned was that of a hardwood, like oak or hickory, then the ashes would be placed in an ash hopper, like the one on the porch of the Farmhouse at Discovery Park. The hopper would then be filled with water. As the water percolates through the ashes, it becomes saturated with a soluble compound called sodium hydroxide, and then drips from the channel at the bottom of the hopper and into a collection pail.

Another word for sodium hydroxide is lye – hence lye soap! Lye is extremely basic in solution and can cause serious damage to the skin and eyes. Pioneers were aware of the danger and took what precautions were possible at the time. One way they would confirm that the basicity of the solution was in the optimal range was by floating an egg in the lye water. If the egg sank, it was not basic enough. If the egg floated easily, it was too basic. If the egg bobbed up and down near the surface of the water, it was acceptable. The density and basicity of the solution could be adjusted by adding plain water or allowing water to evaporate.

After acceptable lye has been derived from the ashes, it is mixed with warm lard and stirred continuously for roughly an hour. Only then can it be poured into a mold and allowed to harden for 6 weeks. Chemicals in the lard neutralize the harmful effects of the lye over that time, and sodium carbonate begins to form. This compound is commonly soda ash or washing soda and is the primary constituent of most laundry detergents. After the curing time of 6 weeks has passed, the soap can be cut into bars and safely used on bare skin.

Bars of lye soap can be found throughout the Settlement; notably in the Farmhouse, David Crockett Cabin, and even the Escape Room. Lye soap is often manufactured in the David Crockett Cabin by Discovery Park of America’s historical interpreter, Mike Ramsey, who can also be seen making candles, woven goods and even brooms. To see this process for yourself, visit Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn.

For more “Did You Know” articles, check out our latest blog posts.

Also, be sure to watch our “Moments of Discovery” on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.