Cookeville History Museum Awarded Top TAM Award for ‘Escape’ Exhibit

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Cookeville History Museum awarded top TAM award for ‘Escape’ exhibit

COOKEVILLE – Remember last summer’s “Escape the Cookeville History Museum” exhibit? The one that challenged kids to follow clues to find a key that would “unlock” the museum?

It made a good impression on the Tennessee Association of Museums – so much so that it received the Past President’s Award, or Best of Show, during TAM’s statewide conference in March.

“We’re so excited – not just about winning, but winning for this particular exhibit,” Beth Thompson, Cookeville museums manager, said. “It’s something we were especially proud of.”

Each year, TAM recognizes exceptional projects and events among 109 Tennessee museums with Excellence Awards in five categories based on budget size. The Past President’s Award is its highest honor, and the winner is chosen from the highest scoring museums in all categories.

The Cookeville History Museum, a Category 2 museum ($50,000-$200,000 budget), came out ahead of much larger Category 5 museums ($1 million or more budget) for the coveted award, including the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Adventure Science Center, both in Nashville, and the Metal Museum in Memphis. The Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University (Category 2) was another contender.

“Regardless of staff size or budget, our museums are doing wonderful things that need to be recognized and applauded,” said Tori Mason, historic site manager at the Nashville Zoo, who chaired this year’s TAM Awards Committee.

TAM President Ken Mayes, deputy director at the American Museum of Science and Energy, said, “We are very proud of the exhibitions, events and educational programming that our Tennessee museums are producing. Our state is fortunate to have so many excellent museums and historic sites that are committed to providing exceptional presentations for visitors to enjoy.”

The idea for the Cookeville History Museum’s exhibit came from the growing popularity of “escape room” adventure games in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues and strategy in a set amount of time within a fictional location.

Exhibit specialist Pam Philpot felt the concept would work in a museum setting. And she was right.

“It was great to see families coming in together,” she said. “Everybody got involved, including our museum volunteers.”

Doing a little detective work, children not only “escaped” the museum but learned about local history and the importance of museums.

Ashley McKee, museums education specialist, said, “It was really a good time for everybody – families, groups and seniors. It made the museum come to life.”

TAM judges described the Cookeville History Museum’s “Escape” exhibit as “a really cool and hip thing.”

They commented: “It’s a good example of what a smaller museum can accomplish with imagination, creativity and a minuscule budget. The Cookeville museum is extremely innovative and commendable for enticing a new audience – young people, other than those who arrive on the required school trip – and introducing the ‘escape’ experience to those who might not otherwise be so engaged.”

In addition to the Past President’s Award, the Cookeville History Museum received an Excellence Award in Category 2 based on creativity, originality, resourcefulness, success, support of museum mission statement and utilization of staff and volunteers.

This isn’t the first year the museum has earned TAM recognition. Last year, it received the Museums of Many Colors Award of Commendation for its 2016 exhibit “World War I: A View from the Eastern Front.” Also, museum docent Joanne White received an Excellence Award for Volunteerism. The museum has been honored in previous years as well, but this is the first time it has garnered the top honor.

Looking ahead, the Cookeville History Museum is planning another summer exhibit for children, “Kidville,” which opens May 26 with a reception from 1-3 p.m.

On display now is the Tennessee State Museum traveling exhibit “I Have a Voice: Tennessee’s African American Musical Heritage” through May 3.

The museum, maintained by the City of Cookeville Department of Leisure Services, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 40 E. Broad St. Admission is free. For more information, call 931-520-5455 or visit www.cookeville-tn.gov/ls.