About Us

Mission Statement

The Chattanooga History Center connects to the past, present and future by exploring the land, river and people of this place.

History

The Chattanooga History Center, originally named the Chattanooga Regional History Museum, began in 1978 as a grassroots effort by local citizens who recognized the need for preserving our local artifacts. The original museum was located in the former Missionary Ridge Elementary School, soon relocating to the corner of Fourth and Chestnut Streets. In 2000 the City of Chattanooga donated an adjacent building at 401 Broad Street for expansion. These two aging buildings, designed for other purposes, became prohibitively expensive to operate or renovate.

A new generation of museum visitors demanded a fresh approach to connecting to the past. In 2007, the museum's name was formally changed to the Chattanooga History Center. In February 2008, the properties which housed the museum on Broad and Chestnut Streets were sold, and the Chattanooga History Center moved to a temporary location at 615 Lindsay Street. In June of 2011, the offices of the Chattanooga History Center moved to a new facility at 2 Broad Street on the Aquarium Plaza.  Here, planning and design of the new Center continue along with its programs and its service to the public as a research resource.  The target date for the opening of the exhibits at the new Center is the Fall of 2012

The Board of Directors

  • Maury Nicely
    President
  • David Patten
    Vice President
  • Clark White
    Secretary
  • Sanford Winer
    Treasurer
  • Gary Chazen
  • Jo Coke
  • John L. Edwards, III
  • Connelly Ensign
  • Paul Grove 
  • Annie Hall
  • Ruth Holmberg
  • Jim Kennedy
  • J. Ed Marston
  • Jack McDonald
  • Josh McManus
  • Cannon Montague
  • Andy Montgomery 
  • Smith Murray
  • West Oehmig
  • Brad Pope
  • Diane Stoller
  • Mary Lynn Wilson
  • Andy Workinger

 

Nothing changes more constantly than the past; for the past that influences our lives does not consist of what actually happened, but of what men believe happened.

Gerald White Johnson, American Heroes and Hero-Worship