Tennessee's 'Living History Museum' Is A Storied Community With Intriguing Heritage Sites

For history buffs visiting Tennessee, Shiloh National Military Park is a must-visit. Shiloh National Military Park was established in 1894 to preserve the history of the famous Battle of Shiloh, a large, bloody battle during the Civil War that ended in a victory for the Union. Now the park has a museum and special events that memorialize the history and engage the community. The park itself is over 4,000 acres and in addition to hiking and walking, the park also allows for biking and auto tours. There is a 12.7-mile auto-tour that visitors can take around the battlefield, or for those on foot, there are daily guided tours between April and October. Visitors can also arrange for private tours year-round.

According to TripAdvisor, the park is the number one attraction in the area, and it was even featured on PBS. From April to October, you'll find events steeped in local history, like Booming on the Battlefield, where visitors can see Civil War cannon firing demonstrations, and ranger-led driving tours, where visitors can learn more about the history of the park. Those interested in visiting more historic sites in Tennessee should stop by Elizabethton, a uniquely historic city in the Appalachian Mountains.

Visitors to Shiloh can travel even further back in time by visiting the Shiloh Indian Mounds. The mounds are from a prehistoric society that historians refer to as the Shiloh chiefdom, and the first archeological excavation of the area took place in 1899. There are six platform mounds surrounded by other mounds in the surrounding area, and historians believe that the large mounds were used as platforms for important structures and the smaller ones were used for homes. There is a self-guided tour through the mounds that runs a little over a mile, and the mounds are only a six-minute drive from the visitor center. 

While there are not many lodging options in Shiloh proper, there are a variety of places close by where travelers can stay. The Shiloh Chennault Mansion is a historic bed and breakfast that has luxury suites and historical artifacts. The mansion is only about a 20-minute drive from Shiloh. For adventurous types, Pickwick Adventures offers a variety of tents and other outdoorsy options that allow travelers to really enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Shiloh is a little under three hours away from Nashville by car or a little over two hours away from Memphis by car. Visitors who want to spend more time in Memphis should be sure to check out the skyline views at Mud Island River Park.

Travelers should also be sure to visit the historic structures in the park. The William Manse George Cabin, for example, was built in the 19th century and has been restored and preserved over the years to keep its history intact. There's also the Shiloh Log Church, a Methodist log church built in 1851 that played a role in the historic Battle of Shiloh. 

There is even more to explore in Shiloh, including the Shiloh National Cemetery, which was established in 1866 and has over 3,000 gravesites. The cemetery has gravesites for soldiers who died during the Civil War, as well as soldiers who died in other wars like World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. Visitors should also be sure to check out the Shiloh Museum, which has a variety of unique Civil War artifacts and also a gift shop. Want to check out more historical spots in Tennessee? Check out Rugby, a historic Victorian-era village with timeless charm.