Middle Tennessee Field Trip List (Nashville, etc.)

Over the last few years I have crawled the Internet, networked with other moms, and interrogated tour guides to create a field trip list for Middle Tennessee. Started because we had family visiting from out of the country, the list has grown and continues to grow with an addition once a week. We have joined almost every field trip group in our area from the Baptists to the Unschoolers and we are looking for more!

I would love to organize this list further - making it beautiful, rating our favorites, and noting the ones we have not yet visited. If anyone would like to kudos their favorites, feel free to leave comments so others can glean from your experiences. If anyone wants to copy the list and post it elsewhere, I much approve. I don't know what I would have done without all my fellow moms, homeschoolers, researchers, tour guides, and bloggers who share pieces of the lives with me. Keep the information moving!

The most awesome part about going on field trips is learning more about our incredible Creator. He weaves all things together and does it all with everlasting love.

To Him who made the heavens with skill,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the great lights,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
The sun to rule by day,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
The moon and stars to rule by night,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting...
To Him who smote great kings,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And slew mighty kings,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting...
Who remembered us in our low estate,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And has rescued us from our adversaries,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
Who gives food to all flesh,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
   For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 136:5-9,17-18,23-26


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HISTORICAL/CULTURAL
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HOMES
The Oaklands Museum - http://www.oaklandsmuseum.org/
Belle Meade - http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/ - 615-356-0501
- Homeschool Days - http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=75
Governor’s Executive Residence - 615-741-2784 - http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/governor/Residence.do, http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/governors_executive_residence/
Belmont Mansion - http://www.belmontmansion.com - 615-460-5459
Historic Cragfont - (Castalian Springs, TN -7 miles east of Gallatin) - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/historic_cragfont/, http://www.cragfont.com/index.html -615-452-7070
Hermitage - http://www.thehermitage.com/ - 615-889-2941
Sam Davis Home - http://www.samdavishome.org/
- Spring 1800's days
The Carter House - http://www.carter-house.org/ - 615-791-1861
Carnton Plantation - http://www.carnton.org/ - 615-794-0903
Travellers Rest Plantation - http://www.travellersrestplantation.org/LC/index.htm
Cheekwood Home
Bowen Plantation House - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/bowen_plantation_house/ - 615-859-3678
Nashville Zoo
- Croft House
Lotz House (Franklin) - http://www.lotzhouse.com/

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
Leiper's Fork Village - http://www.leipersforkvillage.com/
Tennessee State Capitol, 615-741-0830
Parthenon
Cannonsburgh (Murfreesboro) - http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/government/parks_rec/cannonsburgh_events.htm#tours
Old fashioned water powered mill - (Belvedere)
I Spy Franklin - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/113359
- http://www.franklinonfoot.com/
McLemore House African-American Museum ($5)- http://nashville.metromix.com/museums/history/mclemore-house-african-american-franklin/527816/content
Fort Nashborough - 615-862-8400
Rock Castle - (Hendersonville) - 1700's home - http://www.historicrockcastle.com/thesitearchitecture.aspx - 615-824-0502
Shakers at South Union - http://www.shakermuseum.com/events/
Manskers Station - (Goodlettsville) - Pioneer Village http://www.cityofgoodlettsville.org/index.aspx?nid=110 - 615-859-FORT (3678)
Constitution Village (Huntsville, AL) - http://www.earlyworks.com/the-museums/constitution-village
Fort Loudon (Vonore, TN - over 3hr) - http://fortloudoun.com/

MUSEUMS
Tennessee State Museum - http://tnmuseum.org, http://www.nashville.com/attractions/tennesseestatemuseum/
(awesome free museum under TPAC - just took family there)
TC Railway Museum - http://www.tcry.org/whoweare.htm
Military Museum - http://www.tnmuseum.org/exhibitions/military.htm
Ellington Agriculture Museum - http://tnagmuseum.org/ - 615-837-5197
Williamson County Archives and Museum (FREE) - http://www.williamson-tn.org/co_gov/depts/archives/default.html

NATIVE AMERICAN
Natchez Trace- http://www.natcheztracepowwow.com/
- Powwow
Dunbar Cave State Park (Clarksville, TN) - http://www.stateparks.com/dunbar_cave.html
- Ancient Native American site

MISCELLANEOUS
Global Education Center - http://www.globaleducationcenter.net/
- arts/music/dance multi-cultural classes (African, Polynesian, etc.)
Kingdom Academy of the Arts (camps and pioneer/indian days) - http://www.kingdomacademyofthearts.com/
Jack Daniel Distillery (Lynchburg) - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/jack_daniel_distillery/
Bicentennial Mall - http://tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/index.shtml
- fall history festival
Stones River National Battlefield - http://www.nps.gov/stri/planyourvisit/lh.htm
Lane Motor Museum - http://lanemotormuseum.org/cgi-bin/search.pl/news?
Amish community - http://www.amishwelcomecenter. com/

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SCIENCE
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ECOLOGY
The Farm - (Summertown) http://www.thefarm.org/general/visit.html


VEG/FRUIT/DAIRY FARMS & VINEYARDS
Farmer's Market - http://nashvillefarmersmarket.org/visit_the_market/
Arrington Vineyards - (Arrington outside of Franklin) - www.arringtonvineyards.com
Hatcher Family Dairy - http://www.hatcherfamilydairy.com/default.aspx?tabid=475
MTSU Dairy -
Local Farms - http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?map=1&lat=35.928406&lon=-86.805538&scale=10&zip=37067
Sumner Crest Winery - (Portland, TN) - August Grape Stomp - http://www.sumnercrestwinery.com/events.php
Morning Glory Apple Orchard (Nolensville) - http://www.morninggloryorchard.com/tours.htm
Golden Bell Blueberry Farm - http://www.agriculture.state.tn.us/Marketing.asp?QSTRING=DETAIL&DISPLAY=30
Forgies Fruit Farm - (Lewisburg) http://www.forgiesfruitfarm.com/
- peaches

NATURE
Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga) - http://www.tnaqua.org/KidsTeachers/Homeschool.asp
Service Opportunities for Small Groups in Murfreesboro - 893-2141 or ajackson@murfreesborotn.gov
Murfree Spring (Discovery Center, Murfreesboro) - http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=126&id=4168 - 615-890-2300
- http://www.discoverycenteronline.org/groups.html
Warner Nature Center - http://www.nashville.gov/parks/wpnc/
Rangers at State Parks
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Ellington Ag Ctr, educational programs
Nashville Nature Centers
- Warner Park Nature Center
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
Bells Bend Outdoor Center
Beaman Park Nature Center
Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park - (Murfreesboro) http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=126&id=3286&terms=wilderness+station
- WOW!
- camping $5/person (tent provided)
Murfreesboro Greenway System - http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/default.aspx?ekmenu=316&id=6328
Natchez Trace click on info, http://www.nps.gov/natr
- Ranger programs
Aquarium Restaurant - behind the scenes tour - www.aquariumrestaurants.com
- http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/aquariumnashville/education.html
- Marine Biologist for a Day ($25) - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/115855
- Aquarium Restaurant - 615.514.FISH
- http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/aquariumnashville/events/marineBio.html
Cheekwood - 615-356-8000
Kid's Adventure Cruise (Ashland City) - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/111515
Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary - http://www.owlshill.org
- Homeschool Days: http://www.owlshill.org/homeschool
Creation Museum (Petersburg, KY) - http://www.creationmuseum.org/
Dunbar Cave State Park (Clarksville, TN) - http://www.stateparks.com/dunbar_cave.html

ASTRONOMY
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory - http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/103079
-Kid's Exploration Nights
-astronomy roadshow
Space Ctr in Huntsville
- free with Adventure Science Membership
Sudekum Planetarium
- http://www.sudekumplanetarium.com/

ANIMALS
Peachtree Farm (Arrington) - http://www.peachtreefarms.com/
Harlinsdale Farm - http://www.franklin-gov.com/parks/harlinsdale.html
- horses/public park/museum? - TN walking horses
Dinosaur World (Cave City, KY) - www.dinoworld.net
Cripple Creek Farm- exotic animals - http://www.boropulse.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=120&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1911&hn=boropulse&he=.com
Nashville Zoo - http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education_programs_detail.asp?eduID=15
- Homeschool Education classes Thursday and Friday afternoons during school year
Alpaca Farms http://www.tnalpaca.org/TAA4Visit.html
- Mistletoe Farm Alpacas Tom & Leanne Butchko Franklin TN 37064 3.73 http://www.ideal-alpaca.com/alpaca-farm/-319.htm
High Meadow Alpacas, Llc Michael & Charlotte Goldston Franklin TN 37064 11.90
Hickory Bluff Farms Bill & Ruth Fuqua Mount Juliet TN 37122 29.22
Kozy Kountry Alpacas Richard & Konnie Miller Milton TN 37118 30.48
Alpaca Creek Farm Jacki Robert & Richard Kensky Hendersonville TN 37075 33.79
Long Hollow Suri Alpacas Karl & Jan Heinrich Gallatin TN 37066 34.98
Island Overlook Farms Lisa & Barry Hertan Lebanon TN 37087 47.77
Music City Alpacas - (Antioch) http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M7785
http://www.musiccityalpacas.com/
Hidden Springs Farm - http://www.hiddenspringsfarms.com/
Fiber and herb farm
New Era Fiber - http://www.newerafiber.com/
Fiber Alpaca farm and mill
Wildlife Rescue
Raccoons, Fawns, Squirrels, Hawks, Owls
Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Fairview)
Carol Burgess
615-799-8712
Possums, Squirrels, Groundhogs, Adult Songbirds
Creekside Wildlife (Fairview)
Jennifer Varden
615-799-5418
Small Mammals ONLY
Lisa Butler (Franklin)
615-790-7809
Hummingbirds
Deborah Dorsey (Madison)
615-865-2941
Any Wild Creature
James R. Talbott, DVM (Nashville)
615-662-1700
OR
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (Nashville)
Richard Schwartz
615-833-1534
OR
Walden's Puddle - Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (Joelton) 299-9938 http://www.waldenspuddle.org/index.html
OR
TWRA (Nashville)
781-6500

MISCELLANEOUS
Discovery Center (Murfreesboro) - http://www.discoverycenteronline.org/
Adventure Science Museum - http://www.adventuresci.com/ 615-862-5160
Nashville Airport ? - (615) 275-1675


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ARTS
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MUSIC
Steinway - http://www.steinwaynashville.com/contact/saturdays.php
Fiddle and Pick - http://fiddleandpick.ning.com/
Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee (Pegram)
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 615-416-2001
Ryman Auditorium - http://www.ryman.com/
Schermerhorn Symphony - tours, children's programs, rehearsals

DRAMA
Nashville Children's Theater - http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/ - 615-254-9103
- homeschool workshops: http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/orange/homeschl.htm
TPAC HOT series

CREATIVE ARTS
Parthenon - art collection, Greek architecture, etc.
Tennessee Fiber Festival (FREE - Fee for workshops - Dickson and Cannonsburgh in Murfreesboro) - http://www.tnfiberfestival.com/
Arts Center of Cannon County - (Woodbury, TN) - http://www.artscenterofcc.com/school.htm
Frist Art Museum - (615) 244-3340
The Renaissance Center - (Dickson) - http://www.rcenter.org/Home/FieldTrips/default.asp
- Referred by Mandy Ray-Jones
- state-of-the-art facility utilizing the latest technology to promote a variety of educational programs and initiatives
Camp Tandy (Nashville) - Leatherworking - 615-833-1635 or toll free 877-833-1635
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/home.aspx?navlocation=top
nashville@tandyleat her.com
Kingdom Academy of the Arts - (Bell Buckle) - http://www.kingdomacademyofthearts.com/
- art camps and party options


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MISCELLANEOUS
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SCUBA party - http://www.mtss.net/pool_parties.html
Centennial SportsPlex - http://www.nashville.gov/sportsplex/ice_home_school.htm
Pool party
The Monkeys Tree House ($7/kid) - http://www.themonkeystreehouse.com/
Nashville Superspeedway - (Lebanon) - http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/nashville_superspeedway/
Nissan (Smyrna) - must be over 10 - http://www.rutherfordchamber.org/cvb/visitors/what-to-see/what-to-see-detail.php?PRKey=12


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LISTS OF PLACES TO VISIT
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http://www.tennesseetreasures.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=92
http://www.rutherfordchamber.org/cvb/visitors/what-to-see/index.php
http://www.leisuresouth.com/tennessee-travel-events.php
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/events/ (state park events)
http://www.tnvacation.com/
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Tennessee/field+trips/

Slugs and Holes in the Ground

Out of feelings of guilt and having left our sandbox when we moved, I allowed our children to dig two holes in our backyard. What a concept! They were thrilled! And it has been nature discovery ever since.



The holes are close to our fence and we cover them with an old board so no one breaks a leg while running in our yard. The environment along with the safety of the board covering has brought slugs, roly-polies, and worms - what more can a child ask for! The arrival of slugs brought the announement from my little one "Look mommy! A mommy slug and a baby slug!" How cool. (BTW, slugs are not snails without shells - I had to look it up - but snails and slugs are both mollusks.)



Our poor children. Don't touch this! Don't pull on that! Don't step there! Don't pick up that! But why, mommy? Because it's LANDSCAPING.



We are surrounded by landscaping. Our perfect lawns and manicured bushes. Our ornamental rocks and picture perfect flower gardens. (Well, ok, not mine.) May our children learn diligence and hard work in gardening, but may they also be allowed to receive the simple gifts God gave them in the mud (which God Almighty played with first)!

Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7

Canada Geese Nesting on our Pond

We have been thrilled to watch a pair of Canada geese nesting on our neighborhood's pond. In a neighborhood of 1500 homes, we greatly appreciate ANY glimpses of creation. The female goose has not left her nest in at least a week and the gander (male goose) keeps watch usually from the pond.



Did you know that the geese go through a molting phase and during that phase they cannot fly? Then they regrow their flight feathers and their goslings grow their first flight feathers and off they go. I also thought it was interesting that the gander is incredibly protective of the eggs, but once the goslings hatch, the parents will sometimes care for goslings other than their own.



The pictures on this post are (1) the gander coming to tell us to buzz off (2) the goose on her nest and (3) a picture of the landscape surrounding the nest.

The following links have info on the Canada geese which I then used to teach the kids and create pictures cards:

Kidzone
Great Plains Nature Center
Biokids
U.S. Humane Society
Canada Geese and Parasites Article
Personal Account of Canada Geese Nesting

And we found out at kidwings.com that it is illegal in the States to collect native bird feathers (to protect the birds). The site that has that information has GREAT bird information, like pictures and labels of feather types, bird diagrams, and more.

I used the printables maker at senteacher.org to create pictures cards with labels. The search engine was able to find pictures of goslings, a nesting goose, a swimming goose, a flight in v-formation, a clutch of eggs, and a molted feather (I didn't know birds molt!). I am still trying to figure out how I can post those picture cards.

I love homeschooling - I never would have researched Canada goose unless God had forced us to homeschool - now I can't get enough!

But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
    And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.
Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
    And let the fish of the sea declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
    That the hand of the LORD has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
    And the breath of all mankind?
Job 12:7-10

Continent Study at the Zoo

Sweet Daddy took us to the zoo today. It was a spur of the moment trip and my 7 yr asked if i could make the trip into a scavenger hunt (a GREAT teaching tool we've used previously). Instead of making a list for her, we grabbed a piece of paper, a pencil, and our world continents map and went on our way.

Our zoo has a continents map on each animal exhibit. The kids (7 and 4) have been hearing alot about South America - its animals and the rainforest and Amazon river. So first we decided to make a list of all the animals at the zoo that were from South America. There were only three, so it was an easy assignment. And then we decided to tally the number of animals from each continent on the continent map. The race was close between Africa and Asia, but Africa won in the end.

We only spent a little over an hour at the zoo before it closed and we practically ran to the different exhibits, but the kids had a blast and we only skipped a few exhibits due to time. I can't wait to see what God will teach us on our next visit to the zoo!

So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.
Genesis 7:15-16

Tent Caterpillars - Webs in Trees

Wow! The tent caterpillars have made their webs in the trees and there are TONS of them crawling in and out of the webs. Honestly they gross me out but the kids are fascinated. Unfortunately, the tent caterpillars are destructive little things and a third of the leaves on the most infested tree are gone.



We did not know the name of the caterpillars so we called our local nature center and they gave us the "tent" caterpillar name. After researching on the web, we found their life cycle and more interesting facts like predators and natural protection methods.




Life Cycle and Pictures
Moth Picture
Natural Pest Control
Wikipedia

If we were organized, I might print the pictures of the moth and different life stages and make them into cards. Then I'd put a circular item on the floor and tell a story about grandmother moth, etc. going around the circle. We did that for the frog life cycle and my 4 yr still practices the story with the life cycle cards by himself. We used the bottom of my sewing tin as our circular container. Thank you Lord for these fun yet simple ideas! The favorite parts of the story might involve some predator action but the kids remember and understand it!

"I smote you with scorching wind and mildew;
And the caterpillar was devouring
Your many gardens and vineyards, fig trees and olive trees;
Yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
Amos 4:9