Frank H. McClung Museum, Knoxville (must see)

The Frank H. McClung Museum, situated within the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, is an institution established in 1963. Its exhibits are dedicated to showcasing the fields of anthropology, archaeology, natural history, decorative arts, and local history.

The museum is a distinguished facility with a large auditorium, laboratories, a library, a photo archive, a workshop, and other related spaces. Its extensive lobby features brick walls and floors made of Tennessee quartzite, a cupola ceiling, a fountain, and a dancing girl statue called the Vine.

The museum's permanent exhibitions include various displays, such as the Repatriation of Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee; The Decorative Experience featuring artwork from different cultures around the world; Geology and Fossil History of East Tennessee, showcasing Tennessee fossils that represent the state's geological history; Searching for Our Fossil Ancestors, which summarizes current scientific knowledge on human evolution; and Tennessee Freshwater Mussels, which demonstrates the diversity of freshwater pearl mussels in Tennessee.

Moreover, the museum hosts special exhibitions displaying art and artifacts from other collections or institutions. The McClung Museum is recognized by the American Alliance of Museums and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.

It offers free admission and is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays.