Texas Tuesday-Small Town Museum with Big Time History

Remember the Texas Tuesday post several weeks ago...the small town fun one that was never on my blogging schedule?  Well, here's another one for you.  Another spot that was never meant to be blogged about.  If you are local, it's one to put on your list.  I have lived in the area all my life.  I can't tell you how many times I drove past this museum and never gave it a second look.

A few weeks ago, I took my son to the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum in Greenville, Texas.  Big sis was gone for the afternoon.  I had gotten off work early.  He and I wanted to hangout somewhere simple, local yet new.  As I have said before, Chief is a major history buff and loves all types of museums.  I have found it interesting this summer that some of our favorite museums are either free or super cheap!  This one was no exception!  It was a whopping $2 for kids (6-18) and $6 for adults.  They also give a military discount!  So Chief and I explored a museum with cool AC for over an hour for a whole $8!

The main focus is largely on Audie Murphy, the most decorated solider in WWII.  He earned every medal a solider could earn before the age of 21!! The museum even had his Purple Heart on display.  Pretty amazing if you ask me.  There are also exhibits that take you through WWII, the weapons used during war as well as history of cotton farming in Hunt County.

This museum made for a nice little afternoon.  We checked out the museum and then hit up Sweet Frogs.  He enjoyed his "mom and me" date and I only spent $13 all afternoon!

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

 

Texas Tuesday- The Tennessee Edition

Our group of crazies headed North right after the kids got out of school in June.  Kids got out on Friday...Red had two basketball games on Saturday and by Sunday morning, we were packed and loaded in the truck.   Our ultimate destination was New York but our first major
stop would be Nashville.  Chief heard about the George Jones Museum that had opened earlier in the year in downtown Nashville.  What 8 year old boy has the George Jones Museum on his bucket list?!  Mine does!  He played the Possum  old cassettes and records non-stop until we left. 

I will say we picked the worst possible night to arrive in Nashville.  We got into town about 7:30 that night (the museum doesn't close until 10 or after).  It was Sunday but it was drunk people galore!!  It's never good when your kids are watching people getting put into their cars by their friends because they are sooooo wasted.  It was only after we got to our hotel later that night that we discovered it was the start of CMA Fest.  Needless to say, we did not do much sight seeing on our 2 hours in Nashville.

Now to the main reason for our stop in Nashville...the George Jones Museum.  It was pretty cool.  When we walked up, the hubs asked these 2 men where we entered the actual museum.  Now, I am not sure if these 2 were hired by the museum or if they just did this for the fun of it.  I am not calling  them short... but I am 5 foot 4 and I was a good 6 inches taller than them. Their neon orange rimmed glasses (they both wore them) wasn't even the best part. They looked similar to Weird Al Yankovic and wore black t-shirts that read "BANG THIS" in big neon orange letters.  I wish I had gotten a picture of them but to be honest, I was seriously flabbergasted and slightly confused by them.

We entered through the doors into the gift shop.  At the entrance is  small open-air lounge with a band playing.  This museum has 4 floors. The actual museum is on the 2nd floor.  You can rent the 3rd floor for a wedding reception or other event.  The rooftop houses the restaurant and bar.  It has an amazing view!!  It overlooks the Tennessee Titans Stadium.

The museum exhibit was put together by George Jones' wife, Nancy.  She handpicked items that were personal to the Possum such as contents of his wallet.  I have a Costco card just like George. 

There were items such as the chair he sat in while he watched Sunday Football and his own personal barber shop setup.  It was a very well put together exhibit that showcased his personal side as much as the entertainer part of him.

Here's Chief with George Jones' truck that sits in the gift shop.  He feels that it is important for you to know there is a "moonshine maker" in the bed of the truck.  (Yes, my sweet son read my blog over my shoulder as I type.)

 

If you've gotten to the end of this post and wondered why I made this a Texas Tuesday post, know this...George Jones grew up in Saratoga, Texas and raised in Vidor, TX. 

 

So the next time you venture through Nashville, be sure to put this one on your list to see.  You won't be disappointed.

 

Hugs y'all,

Melissa