Homesteads Tower Museum
Homesteads Tower Museum
4.4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
This landmark structure was built in 1937-1938 to house the administrative offices of the Cumberland Homesteads, a project of FDR’s New Deal. It is located 4 miles south of Crossville, TN at the junction of Highways 127S and 68. The octagonal stone tower houses a 50,000 gallon water tank and a winding stairway that leads to a lookout platform at the top. Museum exhibits are displayed on the ground floor including photos, documents, and artifacts from the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.4
147 reviews
Excellent
74
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57
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13
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journalmytrips
Georgia737 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We were not able to visit the tower which is closed till the end of the month. However we were able to visit the house. Dustin related a history of the house and the Homestead Act from the New Deal in the 1930’s while we sat in the parlor and were able to ask questions. I was not familiar with this New Deal program which was administered by the Dept. of the Interior and the Dept. of Agriculture. There were over 100 of these types of homestead spread throughout the country. The house was built with local materials…pine and stone and is very solidly built. As you drive along the road to the house you can view other homes from that era. Around 200 are still in this area.
Written May 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
harryh409
Crestview, FL432 contributions
May 2021
My wife and I went to the tower today as we always pass it when we go to the state park. What a pleasant trip this was. It was interesting to learn about the "homesteaders" from the depression era and what the government did to help them survive the depression. The tower is in excellent condition and the 97 steps to the top were not as hard as some lighthouses we have visited. It is worth the visit to see some great history.
Written May 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy T
30 contributions
Aug 2019
A friend and I stopped here and at the house annex while our husbands tried to fit in a round of golf before the downpour . The Tower museum is small, but it contains a many items from the past. My friend and I reminisced some as we walked through the museum when we spotted items we had owned as children, or saw things our parents or grand parents had once had. We laughed at a poem about taxes in the gift shop and bought shirts that proclaimed that we "climbed the tower" which for us was quite a feat, especially after all ghe hiking we had been doing.
The person working in the gift shop was very patient as she gave my directionally challenged friend directions to the museum house, which was just as nice as the tower, but smaller.
Note: cost was very reasonable, around $6:00 for both the tower and the house.
If you do both check out the reflection of the bridge in the park you have to drive through to get there ( the park starts with a c, I just can't recall the name right now) ; you could get a nice picture of the bridge and reflection - that is if it isn't pouring rain like it was the day we went.
The person working in the gift shop was very patient as she gave my directionally challenged friend directions to the museum house, which was just as nice as the tower, but smaller.
Note: cost was very reasonable, around $6:00 for both the tower and the house.
If you do both check out the reflection of the bridge in the park you have to drive through to get there ( the park starts with a c, I just can't recall the name right now) ; you could get a nice picture of the bridge and reflection - that is if it isn't pouring rain like it was the day we went.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr_Xaos
Palatine, IL1,308 contributions
Jun 2020
My older daughter had done a presentation about Franklin Roosevelt in, so we were interested in seeing the museum(s) about the Homesteads project portion of the New Deal. The tower museum is housed within the original structure that was built back in the 1930s. The building is kept clean and is very well-maintained. The exhibits are displayed in the three main rooms on the ground floor, and the gift shop is located in a fourth room.
The Homesteads Tower walk-through starts with a short video that introduces you to Homestreads project and explains much of its historical significance. After the video, you are able to do a self-guided tour through the building. Museum isn't very big and the exhibits aren't extensive, but the quality of displays are very good. They have a good assortment of items from that era, which are organized and labeled to make it easy to see and review.
Unique aspect of the museum tour is being able to claim up to the top of the water tower area of the building. The climb to the top isn't very difficult but can be challenging. There are almost a hundred stairs to climb up as you wind around the tower to the top. Stairs are sturdy but not very wide, so some of the spots are a little tougher to get a good footing (especially when climb back down). View is worth the effort, though!
In addition to the Tower museum, admission also provides access to one of the houses made during the Homesteads project. You have to drive a few miles to get to the house, but it is really neat to see the building after going through the main museum.
The Homesteads Tower walk-through starts with a short video that introduces you to Homestreads project and explains much of its historical significance. After the video, you are able to do a self-guided tour through the building. Museum isn't very big and the exhibits aren't extensive, but the quality of displays are very good. They have a good assortment of items from that era, which are organized and labeled to make it easy to see and review.
Unique aspect of the museum tour is being able to claim up to the top of the water tower area of the building. The climb to the top isn't very difficult but can be challenging. There are almost a hundred stairs to climb up as you wind around the tower to the top. Stairs are sturdy but not very wide, so some of the spots are a little tougher to get a good footing (especially when climb back down). View is worth the effort, though!
In addition to the Tower museum, admission also provides access to one of the houses made during the Homesteads project. You have to drive a few miles to get to the house, but it is really neat to see the building after going through the main museum.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy
Tampa, FL27 contributions
Sept 2020
Stopped by after the Cumberland Park visit. Small museum primarily dedicated to life in the 30's. Went up the tower. The lady in the museum said it you like exercise go on up and we did. Good view, narrow stairway and nice breeze blowing thru the open windows. There is a park nearby with a kids playground.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RachelKWanders
Memphis, TN30 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
This was such a fun museum. I learned a lot about a part of American history I was previously unfamiliar with. It was a wonderful glimpse into the past lives of Tennesseeans during the depression. Be prepared for sore legs if you climb the 97 steps to the top! And don’t forget to visit the homestead house— it’s beautiful.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jake_brake2007
Knoxville, TN674 contributions
The Cumberland Homestead Museum, located just south of Crossville, TN on Hwy. 68, consists of a museum, water tower, and restored 1930s house. This simple museum (2.00 donations) provides a glimpse into Appalachian/Cumberland culture through the Great Depression. You also have the opportunity to climb the water tower for some long views in every direction of the Plateau. Around October an apple festival takes place on the grounds, I gurantee you'll get some of the best fried apple pies in the country. While you are in the area, you should also check out the Cumberland Mountain State Park, Cumberland County Playhouse, and the numerous golf courses.
Written February 19, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron H
Rockford, IL567 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
We enjoyed this museum and the interesting information regarding the homesteading in the area. The climb to the top of the tower provided a wonderful view of the area and the museum itself had many interesting artifacts. We also toured one of the old homesteads built in the 30's, which was located near the Cumberland Mountain State Park, not very far from the Tower Museum. The $4.00 fee allowed entry to both the Tower Museum and the Homestead. Well worth the visit and very informative about the homesteading of the time. They have a great 10 minute video, too. Don't miss this historic place, and bring the family. It's an education for all. I give this place an A+ rating and highly recommend it. Spend the day seeing the two museums and enjoy the State Park, too!
Written April 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin792
Solsberry In40 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
My parents visit here every year & told me how wonderful the museum is. They took me there in 2010 & we are going back in April. We spent several hours there looking at the things in the museum & even found some relatives in some of the names. Being history buffs we LOVED it. Most people don't know the role that Eleanor Roosevelt played in developing the area. The whole story is told here. Be sure to visit the homestead house after your trip to the tower. It's like going back in time & extremely interesting. Don't miss it.
Written March 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoodBrewsGuy
Jonesborough, TN234 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
While staying at Cumberland Mountain State Park, we decided to visit the Cumberland Homesteads Tower Museum and House. We couldn't have been more pleased. The video shown at the museum did an excellent job explaining the history surrounding the Homesteads Project created by FDR in the early 30s.
From the museum, we drove about a mile to one of the original homes that was built. The home was adorable and very nicely built. The person at the home was one of the original Homesteads Project family members. He grew up and attend school there. The history lesson was informative and gave a great perspective of life during the Great Depression.
Another nice feature regarding the museum is that it is privately funded. A real plus for us!!!
From the museum, we drove about a mile to one of the original homes that was built. The home was adorable and very nicely built. The person at the home was one of the original Homesteads Project family members. He grew up and attend school there. The history lesson was informative and gave a great perspective of life during the Great Depression.
Another nice feature regarding the museum is that it is privately funded. A real plus for us!!!
Written August 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Homesteads_Fan
Crossville, Tennessee
Thanks for your inquiry. Admission to the museum is $4.00.
Written March 27, 2017
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