Louis Philpot, 6, prepares for the Cookeville History Museum’s “I Spy Cookeville” exhibit, which opens May 25.
COOKEVILLE – Cookeville History Museum visitors will spy a new exhibit on May 25.
“My 6-year-old son, Louis, and I have been enjoying Walter Wick’s “I Spy” book series, and it really piqued my imagination for our summer exhibit and how cool it would be to incorporate Cookeville into an “I Spy”-like setting,” Pam Philpot, exhibit specialist, said.
The exhibit, “I Spy Cookeville,” will feature picture riddles and other interactive activities that will appeal to children and adults alike.
“This exhibit will truly be fun for all ages,” Ashley McKee, museums education specialist, said. “Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will enjoy looking for the various objects as much as the children — and they’ll all be challenged by different levels of difficulty. Bring the whole family, or come for a one-on-one visit. These challenging puzzles will have you coming back all summer long.”
The May 25 exhibit opening will be a day-long celebration, with visitors encouraged to drop in between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., enjoy a snack and explore the exhibit. Admission is free.
Families may plan to stay for about an hour, depending on the ages of participants.
“As with all our exhibits, we want people to feel welcome to stay for as little or as long as they choose,” McKee said.
While history museums are typically a hands-off environment, “I Spy Cookeville” offers a more tactile experience.
Educational, too.
Philpot said, “We have incorporated many aspects of Cookeville history within the exhibit, using artifacts and photographs from Cookeville’s past. Participants will be learning as they complete various activities — they may not even notice they’re learning as they go.”
“I Spy Cookeville” continues through August 24 at 40 E. Broad St. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 520-5455.