Log cabin relocated to Discovery Park

(Clinton, KY 3-14-12) - History, like time, is hard to get your hands around its throat and wrestle to the ground. We only see history in the rear view mirror on the road to wherever life is taking us.

Yet, we frail humans like to remind ourselves and those who will follow in time, just how history has framed who we are.  

Recently on a Sunday afternoon drive into West Tennessee I stopped to document the growth of the newly created Discovery Park of America. Rising out of 50 acres of theme park property along US Highway 51 in Union City, Tn. the first phase of the $100 million theme park is coming together in hard concrete, steel, and logs.

This investment of a large fortune is from the Kirkland family who for over the 50 years ran the Dixie Gun Works in Union City, TN. This park will be a living testimony to their vision of celebrating northwest Tennessee history and culture mixed in with science.

Their project will have a flair for presenting a rather good show for the tourist who may want to stop and enjoy educational interactive experiences in the areas of history, nature, art, and science.  This will become a major showcase for historical and cultural education for northwest Tennessee and far west Kentucky. 

When this project is in full operation, it will also become the foundation for a new concept of international and national tourism based upon our history. This type of excellent teaching live history could mean upwards of 100,000 to 250,000 tourists a year roaming their way along the back roads of West Kentucky and West Tennessee to discover the Discovery Park.  

Here’s how a recent press release describes the Park’s progress:   The Central Tower

The tower’s glass-enclosed room and outdoor observation deck will be 150’ high providing a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the 50-acre site.

Jim Rippy, chairman of Discovery Park, said: “While we’ve made great strides in the past 6 months, most of the progress has not been readily visible. That’s rapidly changing as the tower goes up along with steel for Discovery Center, our showcase exhibit building.”

“Much of the work in 2011 has been in or on the ground. Excavation of the water feature, amphitheater and great lawn; installation of underground electrical, water, sewer and fire protection lines; and site preparation for other buildings on the site. All of these things are essential but don’t provide much evidence of our progress.”

The Discovery Center

Steel for Discovery Center will soon be visible. Steel is being installed now on the building’s ground level and early in 2012 will begin for the entry level.

Bridges are also being constructed over the water feature including a covered bridge on the south side of the site. These will be finished early in 2012.

With site preparation almost complete, some log structures will soon be moved to the site. A log cabin, from the Obion County Museum, was relocated before the end of the year. Installation of the gristmill has started.

The foundation for the Antique Farm Equipment building is complete and steel erection is nearing completion. In addition to the buildings, design is complete for the 52,000 SF of exhibits in 9 galleries inside Discovery Center. Construction is now underway for these exhibits.

Rippy added, “We are pleased with progress to date but we’re anxious to finish so people can start to enjoy the multitude of things that Discovery Park will offer.

Discovery Park of America, Inc. will be a $100 million educational complex with exhibits and interactive experiences in the areas of history, nature, art, and science. The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation is the principal funding source for Discovery Park.”