Old Machines and Industry: Franklin County Museums, Tennessee USA

Falls Mill and Wheel on Factory Creek, Belvidere, Tennessee

Falls Mill and Wheel – Museum of Power and Industry
Built in 1873, the old water-powered textile factory in Belvidere is just one of many preserved Historic Places in Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee is very much a part of “The South”, and all the complex and tangled history that comes with that. Landlocked, and bordered by eight other states (seven of which belong to “The South” according to the U.S. Census Bureau), the state is vertically sliced into three regions. Even without leaving the central one – aptly named Middle Tennessee – you can immerse yourself in all kinds of stories.

Paleo-Indians are believed to have hunted and camped in what is now Tennessee as early as 12,000 years ago (see: Southern Short Stories), and when Western settlers moved into Middle Tennessee during the 1700’s, it was in violation of existent treaties. This central chunk is home to previous presidents (e.g.: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage) and Civil War battle grounds and “heroes” (see: Southern Short Stories). It is also known for its moonshine and whisky (see: Jack Daniels), as well as it’s night-life and music (see: Music City – Nashville).

Beyond the area’s comlicated history, however, is the natural environment. I am always amazed by how much wild, wooded space there is in Tennessee; the state is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which – contrary to most peoples’ beliefs – is the USA’s most visited National Park. I’m just as happy walking in the smaller woods, along clear waterways, in search of the many small, but beautiful, waterfalls (see: Woods and Waterfalls).

In short, it is easy to point in any direction and find something to enjoy and/or learn.

My husband has family in Middle Tennessee, and lucky for us, our last visit coincided with great weather. We pointed the car southeast, and found a railroad museum and a museum devoted to early industry.

Join us in the southeastern-most corner of Middle Tennessee:

Old Steam Locomotive in front of the Cowan Railway Museum, TN USA

Cowan Railway Museum
My husband was a great fan of trains and had a complex model set that required a great deal of space! He was thrilled when his daughter pointed him to this place.
The building, circa 1904, that houses the collection is considered an example of “Railroad Gothic”, and is maintained in the original colours.

Freight Train, CSX Mainline, Cowan TN USA

Freight Train
The depot was moved from its original position across the CSX Mainline and deposited further back for safety. The CSX Mainline is very much in use and, like small children, we waved as this freight train hurtled past.

Hamburg Süd
It is a small world! I have a cousin who worked for many years as a merchant mariner out of Hamburg, on the North Sea in northern Germany. Whenever I see the containers, I smile.

Honouring the Workers
The museum contains a range of bits and photographs, collected over its thirty-plus year history. I particularly liked the name-plaques of all the employees who had worked at the depot. (iPhone6)

NC&StL
Chartered in Tennessee in 1845, the Nashville, Chattanooga & Saint Louis Railway served the people of the south until it was absorbed by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1957. This diesel (GE 44 ton, NC&StL #100) was built in 1950.

Fowler Center
Such is the the nature of The South, that even when you don’t have gracious antiquities, buildings are made to look as if you do! Although this looks like a fortress, the Fowler Centre is in fact a swimming pool and sports facility, and part of the small private Episcopal liberal-arts college in Sewanee: The University of the South. We were here to look at the swimming pool – where family members had competed – and to have lunch at the most-excellent nearby coffee shop.
As I said earlier: it is a small world. Years later I met a man at a tiny theatre in Sydney: he was on sabbatical as a drama teacher at Sewanee. He was most surprised to meet someone, well across the world, who had heard of the place, let alone visited!

Falls Mill Wheel
Our next stop was at nearby Belvidere, where the old Falls Mill houses the Museum of Power and Industry. The 10-metre (32-foot) overshot water-wheel – believed to be the largest still in use in the US – powers the equipment on all four levels of the old building.

Falls Mill Machinery
The mill first opened in 1873 as a cotton and woollen factory. It has been re-purposed many times over the years: at times making brooms, working a printing press, powering a cotton gin, operating a woodworking shop, and today produces stone ground cornmeal, flour, and grits.

Wool Carding Machine
Antique machinery is exhibited on the first two floors of the old mill, with many of the items still in working order. This old wool carding machine is under refurbishment.

1929 Aeolian Player Piano
The building houses a number of period pieces; …

Piano Hammers
… I was fascinated watching the player piano, as – for a quarter – it played the old tunes.

Spooling Cotton

Spillway on Factory Creek
While conducting the first survey of Franklin County, surveyors made note of areas where waterways had a measurable drop in elevation.

Falls Mill and Wheel
These areas were designated as “mill seats”, where the power of the falling water could be harnessed.

On Factory Creek
This was one of the first industrial sites in the county, and is a popular destination for visitors today.