CLARKSVILLE, TN – Here is everything happening in May at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center.
Exhibitions
Flying High Signatures, May 1 – August 11| Jostens Gallery. For the past 40 years, the Museum has commissioned an artist to create a signature artwork for Flying High, the organization’s annual fundraising gala. As part of the ongoing Museum at 40 celebration, enjoy a selection of Flying High Signatures that showcase everything from iconic renderings of the Customs House building to picturesque landscapes.
Cindy Billingsley: The Wonderous Beauty of Birds, May 3 – July 24| Orgain & Bruner Galleries. Tennessee artist Cindy Billingsley celebrates all things avian through an array of paintings and sculptures. Billingsley’s work has been showcased throughout the country in galleries and museums and can be found in several public and corporate collections. She is a member of the Oil Painters of America and Artists for Conservation.
The Beerakudas: Art of Bill Henig, May 7 – July 28| Harvill Gallery. You know what they say about “one man’s trash…” Artist Bill Henig combines his interests of fishing, environmentalism, scuba diving and beer to create The Beerakudas – whimsical fish-like creatures made with discarded beer caps and other recycled materials.
Triumphs and Treasures: Celebrating 40 Years, May 14 – September 29| Kimbrough Gallery & Memory Lane. The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is home to more than 22,000 artifacts, documents, photographs and works of art. Through this exhibit, travel decade by decade through our collections to gain insight into the history of the Museum and the community as a whole.
Wood, Paper, Paint: Collecting Art for 40 Years, through June 2| Crouch Gallery. Since opening in 1984, the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center has been dedicated to collecting and preserving art. To celebrate the Museum’s 40th birthday, experience a curated selection of artworks from the permanent collection.
Events
History on the Rocks @ Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park: A Listen & Learn Happy Hour, April 30 | 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. |Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park. Free to the public. Join us upstairs at Old Glory Distilling Co. for a special history happy hour with Second & Commerce magazine. Check out the newest issue, chat with contributing writers and enjoy themed drink specials! This quarter, we’re exploring the stories of The Birdcage bunkers at Fort Campbell and the long-beloved Collins Music Store.
First Thursday Art Walk, May 2 | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free to the public. Mark your calendars for May’s Art Walk! The Museum offers free admission during First Thursday Art Walk from 5 – 8 pm. Smash ‘N Beef Co. food truck will be parked outside the Courtyard ready to serve up some of their delicious and juicy burgers!
Red Cross Blood Drive, May 17 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. |US Bank Dining Room. By Appointment Only. Save lives by giving blood! The Museum and local Red Cross chapter are hosting a blood drive that is open to the public. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter ‘CustomsHouse’ to schedule an appointment. Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.
Programs
Sundays at 3:00, Inside Baseball with Ryne Harper and Phil Wood, May 5 | 3 p.m. | Turner Auditorium, free to the public; does not include Museum admission. Join Clarksville native and former Major League Baseball pitcher Ryne Harper in conversation with sportscaster and baseball historian Phil Wood. They’ll track Harper’s path to the majors and talk about the game today through a historical lens, from the explosion of player salaries to the impact of legalized gambling on the sport. Ryne Harper, a product of Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University, spent eight years in the minor leagues before making his big-league debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2019. He was traded to the Washington Nationals and spent two seasons with them, retiring in 2022. Phil Wood spent 46 years as a TV-radio sportscaster in the Baltimore-Washington market. In retirement, he’s an adjunct professor in the Communications Department at APSU. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Register today at customshousemuseum.org/events.
Storytime & Craft: Brothers and Sisters Day, May 2 | 10:30 a.m. | All ages, with adult. Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. In honor of National Brothers and Sisters Day, we’ll be reading two delightful stories: Ella’s Games by David Bedford and …And Nick by Emily Gore, charming tales that explore the joy, laughter and adventures shared between brothers and sisters. Then, inspired by the spring season, we’ll be painting lavender flowers – a symbol of the cherished connections between siblings. *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Storytime & Craft: Love a Tree Day, May 16 | 10:30 a.m. | All ages, with adult. Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. Celebrate the beauty of nature with us on National Love a Tree Day! We’ll be reading two great stories, Tree by Carme Lemniscates and Stuck by Oliver Jeffers. Following the stories, children will have the opportunity to express their love for trees through a hands-on craft activity using strings. *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Sunday Studio: Painting with Sarah Spillers, May 19 | 2 p.m. | Third Sunday of each month. Free, with registration required; does not include Museum admission. Teaming up with APSU’s Community School of the Arts, we present Sunday Studio—a workshop series for adults. This month, we’re partnering with Pups Plants & Goods for a still life painting experience, capturing the essence of nature on canvas. Whether you are a beginner or have painting experience, this workshop is designed to help you develop your skills and express your creativity. This workshop is free, and all materials are included, but registration is required. For ages 16+. Registration opens April 22 at customshousemuseum.org.
Family Art Saturday: Flower Power, May 25| 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Ages 3+, with adult. Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. This month’s Family Art Saturday we’re gearing up for a colorful adventure by painting a vibrant field of flowers! Come prepared to unleash your creativity and create a masterpiece that captures the essence of a blooming meadow. *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains, exhibit open daily | Trains run Sundays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Our model train exhibit is open daily, and themes change every season – so stick around, because soon the Huff & Puff Circus will be in town!