Bradley Academy Museum
The Bradley Academy Museum is a historic site in the Tennessee city of Murfreesboro. During the Civil War, African-American children went to school in a beautiful red brick building that is now the museum. Today, the museum is a popular place for both tourists and people who live in the area. It gives people a chance to learn about the rich history of Murfreesboro and the surrounding area.
When it was first opened in 1806 as the Rutherford Academy, Bradley Academy has been around for a long time. When it first opened, the school was a private academy for boys. It stayed that way until 1884 when it was sold to the Murfreesboro City School System. In honor of its long-time principal, Reverend Thomas H. Bradley, the school changed its name to Bradley Academy in 1884.
During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers were treated at Bradley Academy, which was later turned into a school for African-American children. During this time, segregation was common in the South, and African-Americans could not go to school. But Bradley Academy gave African-American children a place to learn and grow that was safe and caring.
In 1917, the school moved to a new place, and the building was used for many years as a place to store things. The building wasn’t fixed up and turned into a museum until the late 1980s, thanks to the efforts of local people who knew how important the building was historical.
The Bradley Academy Museum shows how strong the African-American community in Murfreesboro and the surrounding area is today. There are displays in the museum that tell about the history of the school and African-Americans in the area.
The Bradley Academy Civil War Hospital exhibit is one of the most interesting things to see at the museum. This exhibit takes people back to the time when the building was a hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. People can get a sense of what life was like for soldiers during the war by looking at the artifacts and displays at the exhibit.
The African-American education exhibit is another one that people like to see at the museum. From the time of segregation to the present, this exhibit shows the history of education for African-Americans in the area. Visitors can learn about the problems African-Americans had getting an education and how Bradley Academy was a key part of making sure African-American children could go to school.
There are also educational programs and events at the Bradley Academy Museum all through the year. These programs are meant to teach people about the building’s history and what it means to the community. Schools in the area go on field trips to the museum, and there are also community events and workshops.
The Bradley Academy Museum is not only important historically, but it is also a beautiful building that is worth seeing for its design. The building is easy to recognize because it is made of red bricks and has a classic style that is typical of schools from the late 1800s.
Overall, anyone who is interested in the history of Murfreesboro and the surrounding area should go to the Bradley Academy Museum. The museum gives people a look into the past by showing how the African-American community in the area has struggled and won. The Bradley Academy Museum is a great place to visit whether you are interested in history or just want to do something fun and educational.