(Union City, Tennessee, May 3, 2023) Discovery Park of America announced new major gifts today to help fund a $1 million permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway.” It will open for the public on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park in Union City, Tennessee.

The family of William A. (Bill) Homra has made a significant gift for the exhibit in memory of Homra, a businessman who had a passion for the sport of duck hunting.

Homra was born and made his home in Fulton, Kentucky. His successful business ventures included Fulton’s Leader Sporting Goods, The Sportster, Capone’s Restaurant, Buck’s Party Mart and the Hollywood Showcase Theater. An avid hunter and fisherman, Homra began his career selling fishing gear from the back of his van to small grocery stores from Hickman, Kentucky to Reelfoot Lake. Homra was a charter member of the Fulton and South Fulton chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

The Homra family joins Ducks Unlimited, the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, as a premier sponsor of the exhibit, which was designed and built by Louisville, Kentucky firm Solid Light. Under the leadership of George Dunklin, Ducks Unlimited past president, the exhibit will include the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Theater in memory of William A. (Bill) Homra and his late son, Allen Homra.

“Allen was one of my closest friends,” Dunklin said, “and I believe he and his father having such a prominent role in the creation of this exhibit on conservation and waterfowl is a tribute and legacy in which they would take great pride.”

Allen Homra moved to Stuttgart, Arkansas on a temporary assignment with Edward Jones in 1988, shortly after graduating from the University of Mississippi. He made the area his home for the remainder of his life. Homra built one of the country’s Top 10 Edward Jones financial consulting practices. He was a passionate duck hunter and, in addition to supporting numerous nonprofit and faith-based organizations in his community, was a Ducks Unlimited sponsor for 25 years.

Other significant contributions to the exhibit have been made by The George H. Dunklin Jr. Family Foundation, the Deupree Family Foundation, Commercial Bank and Trust Company, Ann and Steve Reynolds, Marisa and Collin Cahill, Dr. Amy and Doug Cahill, Sam Hamra, Todd Endl, Doug Leech, Lisa and Kent Hutchins and Janet and Mike Gossum.

Partners in the exhibit also include the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Five Oaks Lodge, Final Flight Outfitters Inc.,  First Choice Farm and Lawn, Parker’s Outfitting, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation.  For a complete listing of all donors, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/duck.

At a recent update with exhibit stakeholders, including associates from Discovery Park and Ducks Unlimited, the designers and exhibit production team at Solid Light presented some of the early exhibit details. The general theme is an exploration of the intersection of waterfowl hunting and conservation and the importance of the Mississippi Flyway. Featured in the exhibit will be:

• Research provided by the Cohen Wildlife Research Lab, leading conservationists and researchers in waterfowl migration, illustrating migration patterns and other facts about waterfowl
• Interactive touch stations that bring cutting-edge data to life in a fun way
• Immersive experiences that give visitors an opportunity to discover waterfowl biology and habitats, along with the sights and sounds of the various types of ducks and geese
• The Ducks Unlimited Conservation Experience in memory of William A. (Bill) Homra and Allen Homra, an immersive, scenic world where the latest technology brings to life the stories of the people of Ducks Unlimited and the conservation values for which they are known
• An exploration of the art of waterfowl hunting featuring duck and goose calls and decoys that are as much works of art as they are tools
• A look at hunting gear used in the sport and its evolution through the years
• A recreation of Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin telling the story of “the conservation president” and his enduring impact on the sport of hunting
• A recreation of a “Reelfoot Lake-style” duck blind on the museum’s North Lake, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors, especially those unfamiliar with hunting

One stakeholder who participated in the presentation was Kelley Powers, one of the founders and owners of Final Flight Outfitters Inc., a mail-order catalog company, e-commerce site and waterfowl retail store in Union City, Tennessee, and a partner in the exhibit.

“I’m very impressed with the work Solid Light has done and how they are presenting the information in a fun, interactive way,” Powers said. “I’m sure many will leave with a new appreciation for waterfowl hunting and the work being done in the field of conservation. I’m especially grateful this will be in my hometown to add to the overall experience of our visitors from around the world.”

Visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/duck to learn more about the exhibit. To partner with Discovery Park on this exhibit or for more information, email Mary Nita Bondurant at  mbondurant@discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com  or call 731-676-3556.

Photo Caption: Discovery Park staff members begin preparing for the installation of “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway.” The new exhibit will open Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Pictured l to r: Tom Terrell, maintenance; Sam Minyard, information technology; and Jennifer Wildes, collections and exhibits.

Duck duck goose rendering photo caption: Artist’s rendering of “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” a new permanent exhibit opening at Discovery Park Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

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About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

April 6, 2023

Union City, Tennessee— Discovery Park of America has announced the lineup for the 2023 free summer concert series, “Rhythm on the Rails.” It will begin on Fri., May 5 with a celebration featuring the first performances on the new Total Tech Solutions Stage.

This is also the first festival at Discovery Park presented in part with support from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The mission of the Tennessee Arts Commission is to stimulate and encourage the presentation of the visual, literary, musical and performing arts and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee. The concert series is also sponsored by Blue Bank Resort, Volunteer Distributing, Williams Sausage and The Citizens Bank.

Two popular headlining acts, Clark Beckham and Texas Hill, will kick off the festival. Beckham, returning to Discovery Park for his fourth performance, was “American Idol” runner-up on season 14. Texas Hill is led by artists Adam Wakefield and Casey James. Wakefield was runner-up on season 10 of NBC’s “The Voice,” and James won third place on season 9 of ABC’s “American Idol.”

Discovery Park recently announced a new partnership with Total Tech Solutions that included naming rights of the museum and heritage park’s new performance venue. The Total Tech Solutions Stage is located on the south side of the park near the Train Depot.

Total Tech Solutions is a provider of burglary and fire alarms, surveillance cameras, access control and data and managed information technology. They serve commercial, educational, industrial and residential customers throughout Tennessee and Kentucky.

Another new addition to this year’s music festival will be a themed menu with different food available for purchase each night. A cash bar will also be open.

“Our festival is now in its fourth year, and it’s become a real draw for music lovers from out of town as well as locals,” said Lauren Jones, director of events at Discovery Park. “With mouth-watering food and beverage, fishing and outdoor activities, a beautiful venue and talented artists, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at ‘Rhythm on the Rails.’”

Families are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and  fishing gear. The gate near the Train Depot will open at 5:30 p.m., and music will begin at 6 p.m.

Thanks to the support of our partners, admission is free.

The headliners and opening acts for the concert series are:

May 05: Clark Beckham and Texas Hill

May 12: Ghost Town Blues Band with opening act Jargon

May 19: Lenox Creek Bank with opening act Jim Bondurant

May 26: Memphis Jones with opening act Tyler Goodson

June 02: Seeing Red with opening act Tips in a Jar with John and Harrison Fry

June 9: Reverend Jessie and the Holy Smokes with opening act Tatum Shappley

June 16: Valli Kelly with The UT Martin Big Band featuring

June 23: Paula Bridges with opening act Tracy Walker

June 30: AC 43 with opening act Evie Grace

For more information, discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com/rhythm2023

Union City, Tennessee—Discovery Park of America has announced details for the return of the popular Singer-Songwriter Night featuring Phillip Coleman. Coleman’s special guests will be Dave Berg and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. The performances will take place in Discovery Park’s ATA Traveling Exhibit Hall on Thursday, May 18. Tickets and sponsor tables will go on sale to Discovery Park members on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Any remaining tickets will become available to the public on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 10 a.m. Premier sponsor tables are $2,500, a sponsor table is $1000 and individual tickets are $50.

Dave Berg is an American country music songwriter, known primarily for writing number-one country hits, “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)” and “These are my People” by Rodney Atkins, “Somebody” by Reba McEntire and “Moments” by Emerson Drive. Berg has also written over a dozen top ten country hits for artists such as Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Chris Cagle and Bucky Covington.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. Johnson co-wrote Chely Wright’s number one hit, “Single White Female” in 1999 and signed with record label Arista Nashville in 2000. She then released her debut album, “Room with a View,” with several top ten hits.

Unlike previous years’ Singer-Songwriter events, there will be four premier sponsor tables at the front of the venue, close to the stage, and eight sponsor tables that will be located near the stage. All other seating will be theater-style and will be very limited for this event.

“The reason so many of us love this fundraiser is because it’s one of the rare opportunities to enjoy hearing Phillip and the other musicians in a close, personal setting,” said Mary Nita Bondurant. “It’s almost like our own little Bluebird Café right here in Obion County.”

Active members will receive a link to purchase tickets in advance of the public at 1 p.m. on April 5, 2023. You may become a member online or at the Discovery Park ticket counter. If you are a member who wants to purchase tickets and needs to check the current status of your membership, please check with the ticket counter, call the membership department at 731-885-5455 or email membership@discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com.

The doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a cash bar and complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres outside the ATA Traveling Exhibit Hall. The show begins at 7 p.m.

(Union City, Tennessee – March 30, 2023) On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Discovery Park of America welcomed a record-breaking number of students to the museum’s National Ag Day celebration. More than 2,000 students experienced a day full of events and activities that focused on the impact of agriculture in today’s economy.

Students from the University of Tennessee at Martin Agriculture Education Department gave interactive presentations on such topics as soil science, butter making, hydroponics and career opportunities in agriculture. Jarrod Jordan, director of customer success at VEEO LLC, an expert working in the energy savings sector, spoke on “Planting the Seeds of Success: An In-depth Look at the Agriculture Industry.” Jordan has spent most of his 20+ years in the agriculture industry focused on equipment technology designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Guests were also able to explore Discovery Park’s newest permanent exhibit, “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival” in the museum’s Simmons Bank Ag Center where members of the UT Martin Beta Theta Chapter of Sigma Alpha read agriculture-based stories on the Nutrien Ag Solutions Main Stage.

“We are thrilled to celebrate National Ag Day at Discovery Park of America,” said Emalee Buttrey, Ph.D., Discovery Park’s director of education. “This event is a great opportunity for our visitors to learn about the important role of agriculture in our daily lives and to gain a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication of those in the industry.”

Guests also networked with 25 different agriculture vendors and organizations. Visitors included members of the National Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society, which comprises a select number of top-performing agriculture students who travel the country promoting and recognizing high standards of scholarship, leadership and character among agriculture students.

View photos from the event here.

Begun in 1973, National Ag Day is held by The Agriculture Council of America and is an event dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in society.

Photo Caption: Henry County dairy farmer, Veronica Steer shares her passion of dairy farming with local students.

All active military service members, veterans and their guests receive free admission to Discovery Park for the event.

Union City, Tenn. – Discovery Park of America is hosting its annual Military History and Armed Forces Symposium on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29.

The event will feature a variety of programs and interactive activities that explore the past, present and future of the American military. All active military service members, veterans and their guests will receive free admission to Discovery Park during both days of this event.

Sponsored by Union City Coca-Cola and Dixie Gun Works, the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium features presentations from special guests, static and active military equipment, vehicle demonstrations and gallery talks. Guests will also experience historical interpreters and living historians throughout the museum and park.

Friday has been planned with students in mind and will include a keynote by Cpl. John Henley. Born and raised in Boise City, Oklahoma, Henley entered the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and trained as a field artilleryman stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, with the 2nd Marine Division. In June 1970, Henley was attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/9 3rd Marine Division and served in Vietnam, Okinawa and the Philippines before he was honorably discharged in 1971. He went on to graduate from the Sunset School of Biblical Studies and served as a full-time minister for 42 years until his retirement in 2019.

A VIP reception will be held on Friday night to bring awareness to resources available to all military personnel. Operation Song, an organization of songwriters who work with veterans and active-duty military to tell their stories through song, will provide entertainment. The VIP reception is open to former and current members of the armed forces plus a guest.

Saturday’s keynote will be provided by Lt. Col. Bernard House, professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin. House is also the overall leader of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps battalion at both Murray State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. A native of Lexa, Arkansas, House was commissioned into the United States Army in 1997 from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Lt. Col. Ron Powell (Ret.) will provide educational programming in the upper military gallery on Friday and Saturday. Serving as an Army chaplain for 34 years, Powell gives presentations about the history of chaplains in the military from the Civil War through the present.

Saturday will also feature a panel discussion led by Stefan Maupin and special guest Cindy Kent, author of “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam.” The panel will include some of the men who are highlighted in Kent’s compilation of stories from 14 Vietnam veterans. Before they became brothers of war, they were brothers at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, the national agriculture fraternity.

“Our education team has put together two days of insightful and experiential activities that highlight the past, present and future of our nation’s armed forces,” said Emalee Buttrey, Ph.D., director of education, programming and museum experience at the museum. “For guests passionate about history and the military, this event is going to provide a lot to discover.”

Both days of the 2023 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium will also feature reenactment groups, including the 1st Infantry Division WWII Reenactors, the 52nd Regimental String Band and The Living Historians. Military equipment is on display on the grounds throughout the weekend.

A variety of military-related vendors will exhibit in Dino Hall, including the Veteran’s Museum of Halls, Tennessee, Irreverent Warriors, Special Ops Xcursions, Tennessee State Guard, Tennessee Army National Guard, UTM ROTC, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services and Wreaths Across America.

Attendees also can explore Discovery Park’s Military Gallery, which can be found on two levels of the museum. The lower level contains a collection of military vehicles and weapons, as well as displays about the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and our current military conflicts. Displays about the Civil War, World War I and World War II can be found on the entry-level along with an oral history theater that showcases stories shared by veterans.

All the programs, panel discussions and other events during the symposium are included with park admission or membership.

All active military service members, veterans and their guests receive free admission on both days of the event.

School group leaders wanting to request scholarships for student groups should email education@discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com or call 731-885-5455.

For a full list of events and biographies on special guests, visit discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com/military2023.

Visitors gather around living historians at the 2022 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium.

We kicked off our 10th birthday celebration by honoring four individuals who, like us, inspire children and adults to see beyond.

Our third annual Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards were completely sold out! Guests attended from around the region to joined us in celebrating the honorees, all of whom have deep roots in the region. Speaking of, the 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Keith Carver, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Their names, photos and bios have been added to a kiosk located in our front lobby, alongside those of the 10 previous honorees.

Keli McAlister was our event host and master of ceremonies. Now the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s public information officer, she previously spent two decades as a television news journalist working in Jackson, Tennessee; Oklahoma City; and Seattle.

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony performed individually throughout the entry level of the museum during the cocktail hour and then provided dinner entertainment as a group. A served dinner, prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah, included a 10th birthday gourmet cupcake.

Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams welcomed our audience and noted the spirit of volunteerism that has defined our museum since 2013. Williams read a statement from Discovery Park founder Robert Kirkland that the philanthropist made on opening day, Nov. 1, 2013. Kirkland said: “We are so pleased with what the committees did through the years. We can’t thank the people here enough who have helped us out. What you see here would be millions of dollars’ worth of creative time that was provided free by local citizens.” Williams pointed out that Robert Kirkland was always proud of the contributions from his friends and neighbors.

Later in the evening, Lionel Crews, Ph.D., associate professor with the department of chemistry and physics at UTM shared his thoughts about the impact of Discovery Park on the region and introduced a video featuring some of the museum’s earliest volunteers. The video can be viewed online at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/2023.

In his acceptance speech, honoree Keith Carver noted the celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday coincides with growth throughout the region. He said, “As I think about Discovery Park bringing so many people to the region, it reminds me of everything happening here right now. From Blue Oval City and the expansion of I-69 to the growth of the manufacturing and automotive industries here, it’s safe to say there are some great days ahead for West Tennessee.”

Photos from the evening are on Discovery Park’s Flickr page.

Photo Caption l to r: Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, John Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and James Ross, president and CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare.

March 6, 2023

Union City, Tenn. — On Saturday evening, March 4,  Discovery Park of America kicked off its 10th birthday year celebration by honoring four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire those whose lives they’ve touched.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards were attended by a sold-out crowd from around the region who joined Discovery Park in celebrating the honorees, all of whom have deep roots in the region. The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Keith Carver, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

The honorees’ names, photos and bios have been added to a kiosk alongside those of the 10 previous honorees.

Keli McAlister was event host and master of ceremonies. Now the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s public information officer, she previously spent two decades as a television news journalist working in Jackson, Tennessee; Oklahoma City; and Seattle.

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony performed individually throughout the entry level of the museum during the cocktail hour and then provided dinner entertainment as a group. A served dinner, prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah, included a 10th birthday gourmet cupcake.

Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams welcomed the audience and noted the spirit of volunteerism that defined the museum since the beginning. Williams read a statement from Discovery Park founder Robert Kirkland that the philanthropist made on opening day, Nov. 1, 2013. Kirkland said: “We are so pleased with what the committees did through the years. We can’t thank the people here enough who have helped us out. What you see here would be millions of dollars’ worth of creative time that was provided free by local citizens.” Williams pointed out that Robert Kirkland was always proud of the contributions from his friends and neighbors.

Later in the evening, Lionel Crews, Ph.D., associate professor with the department of chemistry and physics at UTM shared his thoughts about the impact of Discovery Park on the region and introduced a video featuring some of the museum’s earliest volunteers. The video can be viewed online at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/2023.

In his acceptance speech, honoree Keith Carver noted the celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday coincides with growth throughout the region. He said, “As I think about Discovery Park bringing so many people to the region, it reminds me of everything happening here right now. From Blue Oval City and the expansion of I-69 to the growth of the manufacturing and automotive industries here, it’s safe to say there are some great days ahead for West Tennessee.”

Photos from the evening are on Discovery Park’s Flickr page.

Feb. 24, 2023

Union City, Tenn.— Discovery Park of America has announced a new partnership with Total Tech Solutions that includes naming rights of the museum and heritage park’s new performance venue. The Total Tech Solutions Stage will be located on the south side of the park near the Train Depot.

Total Tech Solutions is a provider of burglary and fire alarms, surveillance cameras, access control and data and managed information technology. They serve commercial, educational, industrial and residential customers throughout Tennessee and Kentucky.

The announcement was made at Discovery Park on Thursday at the official kick-off of the celebration of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce’s 100th birthday. That event, also sponsored by Total Tech Solutions, included a free concert by Randall French, John McDaniel and Darryl Worley.

“As our business continues to grow and expand, we’ve been looking for ways we can support the communities we serve,” said Total Tech Solutions’s founder and chief executive officer Chaz Robinson. “I believe providing a way to encourage more live music in the region is a great way to do that.”

“Discovery Park has been the host of many live performances since first opening to the public ten years ago, but these are always on temporary stages we put up and take down,” said Discovery Park’s president and CEO Scott Williams. “All of us here are grateful to Total Tech Solutions for providing a permanent stage in West Tennessee for entertainment of all kinds.”

The Total Tech Solutions Stage will first open to the public on Friday, May 5, 2023 for the opening night of Discovery Park’s free, annual summer music festival, Rhythm on the Rails.

Although the full festival lineup has not yet been announced, entertainment for the festival will include Texas Hill with Adam Wakefield, Ghost Town Blues Band and B.B. King’s Blues Club All-Star Band.

Photo Caption: Artist’s rendering of The Total Tech Solutions Stage that will be located on the south side of Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn.

The 2023 Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser promises to be a fun and exciting celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday and the contributions of our four honorees.

In addition to a live and silent auction, dinner prepared by award-winning chefs and complimentary champagne, the entertainment for the evening will be provided by musicians from the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.

The awards ceremony and fundraiser, emceed by Keli McAlister, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation public information officer, will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the honorees on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Her Excellency Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor for the University of Tennessee at Martin
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony will perform individually throughout the venue during the cocktail hour and then provide dinner entertainment as a group.

The Jackson Symphony is the oldest symphony in the state of Tennessee and employs approximately 75 professional musicians to perform in their full concerts. The “Symphony on the Move” program was born out of the Covid-19 Pandemic as a way to take music to neighborhoods and surrounding communities when venues were not allowed to host events. They began with a goal of performing 10 concerts and have now completed approximately 60.

In addition to concerts, The Jackson Symphony is committed to Outreach; their Music and Healing Program sends musicians weekly into the Kirkland Cancer Center, and they frequently play for retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and veteran’s homes. The Jackson Symphony also runs a Children’s and Youth Choir, Youth Orchestra and a Sinfonia and Camerata program.

The musicians playing during the 2023 Discovery Awards include:

• Charles Lewis, flute
• Doug Owens, saxophone
• Benjamin Duffey, piano
• DJ Culp, percussion
• Elise Dougan, violin
• Josh Dougan, base
• Roberto DeSanto, cello

Also joining the symphony during dinner is soprano Alyssa Altobell. A native of Texas, she earned her Master’s Degree in Opera Performance at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in Philadelphia, during which time she sang in various operatic roles as well as in the chorus of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Her undergraduate degree is from SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Music. She now lives in Jackson, Tenn., where she is a staffing specialist. Alyssa has taught voice lessons for several years, she sings with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and enjoys being involved in Jackson Theatre Guild’s summer musicals.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser will be held at Discovery Park of America, (830 Everett Blvd., Union City, Tennessee,) on Saturday, March 4, 2023 with cocktails beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the awards dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Information on tickets and tables can be found at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/gala2023.

Feb. 20, 2023

Union City, Tenn. – Discovery Park of America announced Linda Lu Stone Harding has been selected as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year during a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Blake’s Southern Milling in Martin. Harding, who was born in and has lived in Union City all her life, has been volunteering for more than five years at the museum and heritage park.

When working at Discovery Park, Harding can frequently be found at the information table helping guests plan their day or making recommendations about other attractions, hotels or restaurants that are in the area.

“Volunteering at Discovery Park is such a wonderful and rewarding experience,” Harding said. “I meet people from all over the world, and hopefully make their experience in our region even better. It’s also always fun to run across people when I travel who mention Discovery Park. I’m always proud to say, ‘I work there.’”

On an average year, Discovery Park has around 30 active volunteers who perform duties in the museum, on the grounds, as craftspeople and in advisory roles.

“A robust volunteer program is one of the best indicators of a healthy non-profit museum,” said Scott Williams, Discovery Park’s president and CEO. “All of us at Discovery Park are so grateful to our volunteers like Linda who enhance our visitors’ experiences in so many ways.”

Discovery Park will host two information sessions on the volunteer program on Monday, March 6 at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Tennessee Room. Many different volunteer opportunities exist currently, and duties can be tailored to meet individuals’ passions and interests. To sign up for the session or for more information, please email Samantha Simbeck at ssimbeck@discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com.

Photo Caption: Discovery Park’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Linda Lu Harding

Photo caption: Discovery Park’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Linda Lu Harding, along with fellow volunteers and Discovery Park staff. (seated, l to r) Linda Lu Harding, Cherry Pyron and Kathy Davis (standing, l to r) David Hill, Russell Orr, Samantha Simbeck, Alice Fennel, Emalee Buttrey, Sue Ellen Morris and Scott Williams.

We’ve got some cool news for members and guests who love history as much as we do. Discovery Park of America will be the venue for an information session for those in Northwest Tennessee interested in The Civil War Trails. On Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, 4 – 5 p.m. CT., Drew Gruber, executive director of the program, will be presenting over Zoom.

Civil War Trails has been working with communities since 1994 to share their stories and connect visitors across a network that now spans six states. Travelers look to Civil War Trails to put them in the footsteps of the generals, soldiers, citizens and the enslaved who found themselves in the midst of the Civil War.

Civil War sites are known to be a major generator of tourism dollars. In the National Park Service’s 2019 Visitor Spending Effects Report, the data showed 18.8 million recreational visits to battlefields managed by the National Park Service. These visits supported an average of 464 jobs within each surrounding community, producing an average of $14.5 million in labor income.

“While there are many points of interest relating to the Civil War in Northwest, Tennessee, there are only a small number of sites included on the trail compared to the rest of the state,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “We hope by hosting this session, we can see Northwest Tennessee better represented. That will lead to an increase in visitors to this area to experience everything we have to offer in this region.”

During the session, Gruber will review procedures on adding a site to the Civil War Trails program, the types of sites that are approved for inclusion, the tourism-related benefits communities may anticipate, costs, case studies and more.

The Civil War Trails program boasts over 1,550 interpretive signs across five states. Every Civil War Trails interpretive sign is supported by placement in a signature map-guides and other print and digital media.

“Civil War Trails not only distributes several thousand maps monthly, but our partners continually promote our sites through the cooperative nature of the program,” said Drew Gruber, executive director of the program. “Additionally, we ensure that visitors, whether by chance or design, find an attractive and well-maintained sign at each site.”

To reserve a spot at the info session in person or on Zoom, contact our social media manager Alexis Millsaps at 731-885-5455 or amillsaps@discoveryparkofamerica.flywheelstaging.com.

A new Civil War Trails directional sign was installed at Fort Hill in Waverly, TN late last year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

Photo Caption 2. Each Civil War Trails site around the nation has a dual-leg interpretive sign like this one which was installed in Goldsboro, NC earlier this year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.