Natural History Gallery

The Natural History Gallery focuses largely on two scientific disciplines: geology, the study of the Earth, and paleontology, the study of prehistoric creatures.

The West Tennessee PBS Discovery Globe is four feet in diameter. Visitors can choose what aspect of the earth they would like to see via the touch screen display. Educators find it useful for providing a visual demonstration of concepts like plate tectonics.

Surrounding the West Tennessee PBS Discovery Globe are physical examples and graphic displays that tell the geologic story of the Earth. Much is told through the eyes of what is now the state of Tennessee, with specimens from across the state among those on display. Graphic panels discuss the planet’s formation and provide a cut-away view revealing the structure of the Earth.