6 Local Museums To Take Part In First-Ever Museum Hop On Aug. 25

Six Chattanooga-area museums will open their doors for the first-ever Museum Hop Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Hop features the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, Songbirds Guitar Museum, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Museum and the 6^th Cavalry Museum.

Museum Hop admission for all six museums is $10, a savings of more than $50.

Register at www.tvrail.com * or by phone at 423-894-8028. Then pick up your passport at any of the participating museums. As you travel from museum to museum, be sure to have your passport stamped. At the end of your journey, you’ll receive a t-shirt.

The first 30 registrations are free.

Heroes, courage and patriotism – the Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center is more than the history of the highest and rarest military decoration awarded by the president of the United States; visitors also will hear stories of courage, commitment, citizenship, sacrifice and integrity – traits that apply to everyone. Travel back to 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first medal of honor all the way to present-day recipients. Chattanoogans are the stewards of hallowed ground where 33 Medals of Honor were awarded – from the blood-soaked fields of Chickamauga to Missionary Ridge to the stirring site of the Battle Above the Clouds. For more information: mohm.org

Guitars – amazing fretted instruments – each have a story to tell. Explore a priceless collection of rare vintage guitars like no other on Earth through audio and visual components. Experience American history through Songbirds Guitars Museum with its extensive anthology of permanent and revolving exhibits. You will see the most complete collection Fender and Gibson electric guitars, along with many other brands, many rare custom colors, prototypes and many that were owned by some famous musicians over the years. For more information: songbirdsguitars.com

The romance of the rails -- Visitors to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum experience the "Golden Age" of railroading through vintage trains placed in an authentic setting.  Guests will have a chance to tour the display yard featuring steam and diesel locomotives as well as passenger and freight cars. Although there probably will not be time to ride a train while on the "Hop," they offer train rides ranging from one hour to nine hours and with varying destinations. For more information: tvrail.com

Located in an area once dubbed as the city’s black enterprise zone, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center preserves African and African American history in Chattanooga and the nation through art, research, entertainment and education. Highlights include rich cultural heritage, historical documents and artifacts portraying African American’s contributions to our nation. The museum also captures reflections of African American history through photography by local artists of life before the 1800s to the present day to make comparisons of community styles, myths and realities. The center also houses a performance hall dedicated to the “Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith. For more information: bessiesmithcc.org.

Where else can you see an M-47 Patton Tank? Experience the days of soldier and steed and Southern hospitality at the 6^th Cavalry Museum, which preserves the rich military history of the “Fighting Sixth” Cavalry. Long before there was the city of Fort Oglethorpe (1949) there was the Army Post at Fort Oglethorpe 1902 – 1947. The 6^th Cavalry was permanently stationed at Fort Oglethorpe from 1919 – 1942 and considered it their home. Located on the Post’s parade ground, surrounded by officers’ quarters and many original Post buildings, visitors will see the history of the 6^th Cavalry (1861 – present) come alive with authentic weapons, uniforms, photographs, documents, a fully restored 1944 Willys Jeep and of course the M-47 Patton Tank. For more information: 6thcavalrymuseum.org.

Become enmeshed in a beautiful and bygone era when you’re surrounded by a priceless and extensive collection of Victorian art glass and antiques. The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, a Victorian residence in the Bluff View Arts District, contains one of the finest collections of antique glass, ceramics and pottery in the world, as well as many other kinds of rare and unusual antiques. The collection is an enduring tribute to the determination of one extraordinary woman who spent half a century putting it together, Anna Safley Houston. The almost unbelievable story of her life, her many marriages and the hardships and deprivation she willingly accepted for the sake of preserving her collection is told here. Take a guided tour for the full experience. For more information: thehoustonmuseum.org