Clement Railroad Hotel Museum — Attraction in Dickson

I visited the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum on June 1, 2024, with my brother and sister. The three of us (from Connecticut) had just flown to Nashville and driven straight to Dickson. This was our first time in Tennessee, and the CRHM was our first destination.

I'm sure that outside of Tennessee, not a lot of people are familiar with Frank Clement. I had read about him a few years ago, and when planning this trip, I wondered if there were any sites dedicated to him that were close enough to where we'd be staying. I saw that this was only about an hour away from Nashville, so I knew it was doable.

The museum experience did not disappoint. There was plenty of parking (that too, free) behind the museum on the street. There was a lot to see inside, too -- multiple preserved rooms and a lot of furniture, along with artifacts dedicated to Gov. Clement as well as railroading in general. There is a nice model railroad upstairs, and having always loved trains, I loved seeing that. Of course, the true highlight is everything related to Gov. Clement. In a trip where we saw 2/3 of the houses owned by presidents from Tennessee, it was nice to get a sight dedicated to a governor (who did not become president), too.

We only had a little over an hour at the CRHM, but I would recommend 1.5 hours if you want to take things slowly. I'd like to give a shoutout to the staff, too. I spoke with Jasmine on the phone, and she was very helpful. On site, we met Zach (the director). He was also very helpful and knowledgeable -- I'd have loved to talk with him at length about Tennessee history if I only had the time. Overall, this was a wonderful way to...

1st things 1st: There's a huge window upstairs above the tracks so if a train comes while your checking things out, you can still run to the window! 🤩 I asked before I went up there, "What happens if I hear a train and I have the urge to run? The floors are loud." She laughed and said people do it all the time.

There's also a bench right by the crossing. You can see it from the window.

This is a neat museum because it covers the local history and incorporates it with the star of the show: Everything railroad there.

I found the museum because I got lost following the tracks. There are spurlines everywhere. It's a really neat town.

We didn't do the tour and there was no volunteer the model train room, but we liked the freedom to roam around. We could see how beautiful the train room was from the viewing area. Model trains have not been my thing since I was little but if I lived closer I would volunteer in a heartbeat.

There's a lot of cool stuff for railfanners and enthusiast. There's also a lot of things that could go for home schooling documents besides just "field trip". There's citizenship, safety, transporation, industrty, (so STEM,) and leadership.

There's a cute little gift shop downstairs. I wish I bought more postcards & one more of those brochures that shows the tracks along the area. I've only had mine a few weeks and it's already completely wrinkled up.

I'm giving it ten stars and I...

Miss Wanda (Volunteer on Thursdays) gives a 1st hand acct of the history thru the segregation era! She is amazing, as well as the great volunteers in the train room!

We felt drawn into the lives of so many that were such a foundational part of America right here in Dickson!

We'd love to see her 1st hand accts put to video as is trully one of the greatest assets the museum has!

The gift shop & folder of info handed to us at the beginning was just nothing compared to these passionate volunteers involved in the real true life events!

We are from Iowa passing thru visiting the Dave Rives Science & Wonders Museum (awesome) so was not on our agenda, but will return 'next' time, hoping to find these dear old saints still with us!

($6 per adult; but...