I remember my first visit to Cannonsburgh village. I was around 8 years old and deeply in love with all things Little House on the Prairie, so a visit to a pioneer village was kind of a dream. The historic homes and sites in the village made an impression on me, mainly for their size and also for their lack of air-conditioning. I bought a red sunbonnet from gift shop as a souvenir so I could look like Laura Ingalls.
I have continued to visit Cannonsburgh over the years, attending weddings of friends at the historic chapel, visiting the Murfreesboro Art League, and other special events. But even now when I return and bring my own children, I'm amazed at all I still have to learn about it.
For the uninitiated, Cannonsburgh was the original name for Murfreesboro, and the recreated village represents early Tennessee life from roughly 1830-1930. Cannonsburgh Village was built as Murfreesboro's chief Bicentennial project in 1976, brought about by the late Mayor W.H. Westbrooks and Dr. James K. Huhta of MTSU's Historic Preservation program. Its buildings and museums hold a myriad of genuine local artifacts as well as recreations and depictions of the early days of Rutherford County.
The "little pioneer village off-Broad Street" might be something we locals often take for granted, but it's an essential part of our city's history, and therefore one well worth sharing with our children.
And it's a lot of fun, too.
Check out my nine things to see at Cannonsburgh Village.
1. Tours for Free
2. Tractors
If you have a young boy in your house, as I do, then chances are high that cars, trucks, tractors are a big deal in your life right now. My son now asks to visit "that tractor shed" -- Cannonsburgh's Rawlins Tractor Shed -- filled with a small boy's dream of huge antique tractors. Curated by under the direction of Dr. Omri Rawlins, Professor of Agribusiness at MTSU, the designs featured show the types of tractors used on Tennessee farms from 1920-1950.
3. The Williamson Chapel
During one of our visits to the village the kids and I were able to peek in and get a view of Williamson Chapel all to ourselves. "It's so pretty," gasped my 5-year-old. The stained-glass windows capture an increasingly magical light until sunset, making it worth a visit all by itself. No wonder so many couples still choose spot this as their wedding location.
4. The Haynes Museum
Filled with relics of Rutherford County’s past, the C.N. Haynes building is the oldest on site. Built in 1870 as a cotton gin, it now houses local artifacts from farm equipment, antique carriages, and even cooking tools from one of the first black-owned bakeries in the area. The kids tugged me along while I read the fascinating plaques and inscriptions, but I loved it.
5. The L & N Caboose
Railroad enthusiasts (like my kids) can gleefully enjoy getting up close to a real caboose. Donated to the village by CSX Transportation in the '80s, the car is a nod to when the "Iron Horse' dominated overland transportation, and it's still a sure way to fire up some imagination.
6. The World's Largest Cedar Bucket
Cannonsburgh Village is still home to the World's Largest Cedar Bucket, and people come from all over the country to see it. While the original bucket, created by a local factory in 1887 was destroyed by fire in 2005, it was rebuilt by the Rutherford County Blacksmith's Association and reinstalled at Cannonsburgh in 2011. According to Cannonsburgh program coordinator Shelia Hodges, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation staff are in the process of getting the cedar bucket submitted into The Guinness Book of World Records. Stay tuned to see where the next chapter of the cedar buck will lead.
7. The County Courthouse's Original Steps
To give an idea of the significance of Cannonsburgh for the area, the site also holds the county courthouse’s original steps. The courthouse in Murfreesboro’s square is one of six pre-Civil War courthouses in the state that continues to serve its original purpose. Built in 1860, it was a hotbed of activity during the Civil War and has undergone multiple modifications and repairs. But the original front stones are preserved at Cannonsburgh.
8. The Murfreesboro Art League
For a dose of creativity, visitors to Cannonsburgh can also visit the Murfreesboro Art League next to the Haynes Museum. On Fridays and Saturdays meet artists, see new creations, and learn about all that this nonprofit does for the city to promote art education, collaboration, and beautification in the city for its citizens.
9. More Than a Museum
As a part of the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation system Cannonsburgh Village plays host to a number of festivals, events and educational workshops for all ages throughout the year from black smith demonstrations to gardening to live plays, to guided tours. This year from April- October the village will host Food Truck Fridays starting at 5 p.m. every Friday.
Keep an eye on the Cannonsburgh Facebook page for upcoming events.
Cannonsburgh is located at 312 S. Front St. Murfreesboro. Summer hours for the Grounds and Visitor Center are from April 1 – October 1, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m. For more information call 615-890-0355 or visit murfreesborotn.gov/164/Cannonsburgh-Village.rfreesborotn.gov/176/Wilderness-Station.
Laura Beth Payne is a writer mama and Murfreesboro native who lives in the Blackman community with her husband and two children. Follow her at @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram for more family fun in and around the city.