Myriad songbirds of the avian variety call Tennessee home, but Chattanooga's newly revamped Songbirds – an innovative interactive learning space devoted to music – sings the praises of the state's rich musical history. By day, visitors can explore the art and science of music-making with rotating, hands-on exhibits based on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) model. By night, Songbirds transforms into a live music venue with two stages and a busy program of concerts and music-focused events.
The other side to Songbirds is its breathtaking guitar collection, including rare instruments assembled by vintage guitar dealer and original museum curator, David Davidson. In its original incarnation, the museum was home to the largest privately held vintage guitar collection in the world, but following a year-long shut-down, Songbirds has been reinvented as a space to not only view gorgeous old instruments, but also get actively involved in the music-making process.
The new Songbirds facility will open its doors in September 2021 at the former Chattanooga Terminal Station, today home to the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and entertainment complex. And yep, this is the station made famous by the eponymous 1941 song by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.
The iconic frontage of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel ©csfotoimages / Getty Images
Even better, the staff of the Songbirds Museum often will take a prized guitar out of its display case and place it into the hands of a visitor, inviting them to play a few chords. If you've ever dreamed of strumming Chuck Berry's 1967 Gibson ES-355TD-SV or Carl Wilson's 1967 Epiphone Riviera, Songbirds can make it happen. Backing up the guitar collection are displays on Chattanooga's unique musical history and the contribution of local artists to American music lore.
The museum also has a firm educational focus, making it a great stop for families. Audio/video installations and STEAM-based exhibits teach visitors about both the guitars and their famous players, and about the science behind electric guitars, recording and amplification. Teens in particular will love the chance to twiddle around with amp settings, learn how different types of wood affect sound, and go inside a mic to see how it works.
Looking down over downtown Chattanooga ©Kruck20 / Getty Images
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