Lewis County Museum of Natural History
Hohenwald, Tennessee

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Located in the middle of Hohenwald on Main Street (US 412), the Lewis County Museum of Natural History and Discovery Center presents the story of Lewis County. Dan and Margaret Maddox donated their world-class wildlife collection in the mid-1980s with the goal that it be kept intact and preserved. They purchased the building on Main Street to house their world-class wildlife collection which has been recognized as the fourth largest in the Western Hemisphere.

In addition, the museum honors the history of Lewis County. Visitors can view a display of pre-historic artifacts found in Lewis County, including some of the oldest pottery discovered in the Southeast. The Meriwether Lewis display describes the Lewis and Clark expedition and discusses the mystery surrounding his death in Lewis County. A cabin interior shows how early Middle Tennessee settlers survived in the Old Southwest. The Civil War display contains a 1854 canvas map of the U.S. The Gordonsburg mine exhibit allows visitors to feel the dangers miners faced in the early 1900 era Lewis County phosphate mines. Finally, the New Switzerland and Hohenwald exhibit displays artifacts for Hohenwald's unique founding as an intentional community that attracted European immigrants.

Outside the museum, the Discovery Trail extends the study of how humans have adapted to the natural environment. A walk leads through the four acre Discovery Center.