The first steps have been taken to establish a museum that will preserve the history of the city of Loudon for future generations.
The Loudon Legacy Museum will be based in the historic building at 406 Wharf Street, the former McGill/Karns Funeral Home. The museum is expected to open in early 2027.
A lease agreement for the building was signed last week, according to Nolen Rollins, president of the Loudon Legacy Foundation and a member of the museum board of directors. He said the museum has also secured state and federal 501 ©3 non profit and tax exempt status.
According to Rollins, the mission of the Loudon Legacy Museum is to preserve, promote, interpret, celebrate, and exhibit the historic heritage, culture, and material artifacts of Loudon, Tennessee, and the surrounding region, while supporting education and tourism.
For generations, families built their lives along the Tennessee River in the City of Loudon and surrounding communities, he said. They farmed the land, built businesses, worked in factories, raised families, attended churches and schools, served their country, and helped shape the community we know and enjoy today, Rollins said.
The vision of the museum’s founders is to establish a place where children can learn how earlier generations lived, families can discover their heritage, and visitors can experience the people and events that shaped Loudon. Rollins said the museum will have a close relationship with area schools.
“We plan several educational presentations per month,” he said.
Exhibits will explore the town’s earliest Native American inhabitants, settlers and pioneer families. Exhibits will focus on agriculture, churches, schools, businesses and industries. Exhibits will also describe the important events such as the Civil War and its impact on the city.
Early stage funding for the museum was donated by members of the Legacy Foundations and other citizens interested in local history. A large scal fundraising effort will kick off around the middle of November. Ongoing funding will be pursued through the application for state and federal grants, he said.
Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris said the first discussions about the museum started about two years ago.
“I’m really excited. It just goes to show you what can happen when you get the right people behind a project,” Harris said.
The museum has begun collecting historic artifacts, photographs, documents, and family histories. The museum is also encouraging those who have appropriate historic items to present them to the museum for curation by the board and possible display.
The museum will be open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. staffed by volunteers. There will be a nominal fee for adult admission. Anyone interested in donating to the museum or volunteering their time can contact Nolen Rollins at 239-860-0096.
