‘Tennessee Voices, American Stories’ Shows Tennessee’s Contributions to America’s History

The Tennessee State Museum opened Tennessee Voices, American Stories on Jan. 13 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The exhibition, which is organized around three concepts from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution: “We the People,” “A More Perfect Union,” and “The Blessings of Liberty,” highlights items from the museum’s collection.

Miranda Fraley Rhodes, Ph.D, is the assistant chief curator at the Tennessee State Museum. She curated this show, and says the exhibit shares artifacts and stories related to remarkable people who helped to build Tennessee and the United States. It asks visitors to consider how their current experiences might look in the future.

“Some of these individuals are well-known; others are not. However, they each have made their own contributions to our shared past,” Fraley Rhodes said. “We hope that visitors will see themselves as part of the state and nation’s continuing narratives and invite them to consider, how will you make history?”

Fraley Rhodes said the displays in the gallery focus on sharing artifacts and personal stories, but that throughout 2026 the museum is planning to host in-person and virtual programming. The museum will also feature a map online highlighting historic sites and museums throughout the state.

The museum is free for everyone, and is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

As the exhibition runs, the museum will also act as headquarters of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The commission was created to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and “recognize Tennessee’s integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future,” according to a release. The temporary exhibit at the museum is one part of that effort.

Of the more well-known pieces featured in the show is a performance costume worn by Dolly Parton, which was created by Robért Behar. The ensemble, a white rhinestone number, naturally, was worn during a performance at the 1998 Dollywood Foundation Benefit Concert. Parton’s philanthropic work and business ventures like Dollywood are important pieces of why she, and Behar’s work, is in the exhibition.

The exhibition also includes a sword presented by the state of North Carolina to Revolutionary War leader and Tennessee’s first governor John Sevier, as well as one of the earliest known dated Tennessee quilts, which was handmade by Rebecah Foster. Fraley Rhodes found this last piece particularly interesting.

“It is hard to choose, but my favorite artifact in the exhibit would be the American eagle quilt Rebecah Foster made in 1808,” Fraley Rhodes said. “The quilt is a beautiful work of art and also an expression of Foster’s patriotism. Long before women gained the right to vote, they used creative means like this quilt to voice their sentiments.”

The quilt features a striking image of an American eagle with 17 stars, the number of states in 1808. Beyond reflecting Foster’s political sentiments, the quilt also shows also shows a mastery of technical skill and artistry.

Textiles feature heavily in the contributions shown from Tennesseans.

“Objects like clothing, quilts, and samplers offer great opportunities to learn about the people who created and used them,” Fraley Rhodes said. “Tennessee has been home to incredible designers and textile artists like Manuel Cuevas, Ellen J. Weed Dennis, Sia Moua, and Lacie Thompson Bell.”

A jacket made by legendary fashion designer Cuevas is featured in the exhibition, as well as on the cover of this edition. Cuevas is known for his one-of-a-kind, eclectic pieces and contributions to the stylized western wear at Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors. The jacket in the show is one from his 50-State Jacket Collection, which is a series of jackets he made after moving to Nashville in the ‘90s. There’s also a striking early ‘90s-era coat by Sia Moua in the collection.

Artifacts from Tennessee State Supreme Court Chief Justice Adolpho A. Birch, who was the only person to have served at all levels of the state judiciary, are also on display in the exhibition. Born in 1932, Birch’s career includes becoming the first African American to work as a prosecutor in Davidson County and he was the first African American in many offices, including his role as Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice.

“Tennessee’s history offers countless examples of individuals whose courage, creativity, and determination have advanced our shared ideals,” Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum, said in a release. “As America reflects on the last 250 years, this exhibit helps us understand how the experiences of Tennesseans are woven into the fabric of the American story, and how the museum’s collection, built over 88 years, helps tell that story.”

People might be surprised to see items from Mt. Juliet native astronaut Barry Wilmore’s historic 286-day mission. The exhibition features a Tennessee State Flag that he flew on the International Space Station, which ended with his safe return on March 18 of last year.

“We are grateful to be able to share Wilmore’s inspiring story with visitors,” Fraley Rhodes said.

The exhibit also includes a variety of artworks by members of the Bell Family, which reflect the Choctaw community in Tennessee where the family lived.

“During the exhibit’s development, I had the privilege to work with a group of Choctaw advisors from Henning, Lauderdale County, Tennessee,” Fraley Rhodes said. “I appreciated their willingness to share knowledge about their culture and history.”

The collection shows a wide array of viewpoints and narratives across a broad period of time, and it encourages visitors and Tennesseans to reflect on how their own lives will contribute to a narrative told in the future.

“The exhibit centers on personal stories of individual Tennesseans, and the search for artifacts that would help share their voices with museum visitors was key,” Fraley Rhodes said. “Including a wide variety of artifacts reflects the many different ways Tennesseans have contributed to our shared past.”