Reopened to the public in 2000, the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center now houses an exhibit on the history of Rutherford County in the 1800s, an exhibit on Rutherford County's African-American community including Bradley Academy and Holloway High School memorabilia, a Civil War and Colored Soldier exhibit, a restored heritage classroom, a modern auditorium, kitchen, meeting room, and office space.
Today, Bradley Academy is a dignified and proud symbol of education for all people in Rutherford County. Exhibits on the county's history, a heritage classroom, an auditorium, and other flexible spaces ensure this renovated 1917 National Register building will continue to play a part in the history of the community for the next 100 years.
Permanent Exhibits
Heritage Classroom
Imagine youself as a student of Bradley Academy in the 1920s. After being called to morning class by the Bradley drummer boy, you take your seat and remove your books from your desk.
Bradley Academy's Heritage Classroom is a re-creation of an authentic Bradley Academy classroom. With its wooden desks, ink wells, orange-crate 'library', and a teacher's bell, the classroom really takes museum visitors back in time. The Heritage Classroom also serves as a wonderful resource for hosting special educational programs.
“A Century of Change: Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, 1800-1900”
This exhibit tells the story of our community during the 1800s. The exhibit was designed, fabricated, and installed at Bradley Academy in 1999 by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Topics include early Native Americans, early settlers, agriculture, architecture, commerce, education, religion, the Civil War, politicians, and President James K. Polk and wife Sarah Childress Polk of Murfreesboro.
“Pillars and Foundations: Building Murfreesboro's African-American Community”
In the Spring of 2002, the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center installed their second permanent exhibit entitled Pillars and Foundations. The exhibit was designed to celebrate the important role of Bradley Academy and Holloway High School in the development of Murfreesboro's African-American community. These instituions were centers of education, religion, healthcare, the arts, and social activities. This exhibit also highlights the significance of early black churches, important members of Murfreesboro's African-American community, and includes many works by local artists.
