History comes to life in different ways in Gibson County: through an extraordinary teapot collection, life-size scenes depicting the lives of early settlers, and festivals with distinctive local themes. Explore art and regional history, combine a wine tasting with a tour, or plan your discoveries around seasonal events.
Teapots and History in Trenton
The City of Trenton received a collection of antique porcelain teapots from Dr. Fredrick C. Freed. Freed had assembled his pieces over more than 40 years in antique shops around the world. Trenton City Hall houses the world’s largest collection of porcelain veilleuse-théières, also known as night-light teapots. Check locally before visiting to find out whether and how the collection is currently accessible.
Trenton’s Teapot Festival also celebrates teapots: The events described include a ceremonial lighting at the start and the annual grand parade at the end. The festival developed into a week-long event starting in 1981. Program details may change from year to year.
Two different dates frame the history of the Gibson County Courthouse: The building was constructed in 1899; the site is associated with the capture of Trenton by General Nathan B. Forrest’s cavalry brigade on December 20, 1862. The building’s history and an event from the Civil War era thus stand in clear chronological contrast.
Museums with Different Perspectives
The West Tennessee Agricultural Museum features life-size depictions of the everyday challenges settlers faced while developing a new area. Alongside them, more than 2,600 agricultural implements are displayed in a building covering more than 16,000 square feet. The displays and collection draw attention to two sides of history: the challenges of everyday life and the tools of agriculture. Tours are available; reservations are required for school groups and other large groups.
The West Tennessee Regional Art Center offers a different cultural focus. It is Tennessee’s only permanent art museum between Nashville and Memphis. The cultural offerings thus range from agricultural history to visual art.
Wine, Trails and Activities
At Crown Winery, a tour takes you through the vineyard and winemaking area. It includes a guided wine tasting and selected foods paired with the wines. Reservations are required for the tour. Wine, craft beer and pizza are also made entirely on site.
In Kenton, visitors can sample wines from White Squirrel Winery, made from grapes grown in Tennessee. The tasting offers another way to experience wines from the state.
Three route options are mapped in Gibson County: Cork & Fork, a wine route; Landmarks & Legacies, a history route; and Local Bites Loop, a culinary loop. They offer different focuses, from wine and history to regional food. Routes and participating businesses may change; check the current plans before your visit.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, Milan City Park has a 1.4-mile Scenic Trail for jogging, walking and cycling. Green Acres Farm offers a seasonal activity: strawberry picking in spring. Availability is seasonal and may vary.
Festivals Throughout the Year
In Kenton, the White Squirrel Festival celebrates the area’s well-known population of white squirrels. The week-long festival takes place every year around July 4; exact dates vary from year to year.
The West Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Humboldt is also an annual event. It began in 1934, and dates may change. In Rutherford, a week-long Davy Crockett Festival takes place every fall. Along with a parade, live music, arts and crafts booths, and historical demonstrations, it features family-friendly activities around the historic cabin.
Davy Crockett Cabin is a replica built with timbers from the original cabin. Rebecca Hawkins Crockett’s grave is also on the grounds. As a general point of reference, Gibson County lies immediately north of Jackson, Tennessee, along Interstate 40.
Discover more destinations: Milan, Humboldt, Hawkins County, Franklin County, Williamson, Campbell County, Stewart County and Grainger County.
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