Customs House exhibits honor Black History Month

The Clarksville Customs House Museum and Cultural Center has installed three new exhibits in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibits mark both artistic mastery and historical heritage in celebrating  contributions made by African Americans to the fuller story of our community. Featured exhibit artists are Ross Jordan and  Ludie Amos.

History is acknowledged in Heritage Hall, located in the 1898 wing of the museum; it will feature exhibits on the life and career of Dr. Robert Burt and  showcase the African American Regiments of Tennessee.

'Going Home' by Ross Jordan

Ross Jordan exhibits selections from oil paintings created throughout his life. Jordan was always interested in creating but did not  focus on his art until he had been in the army and raised a family. The subjects are personal to Ross. Whether a landscape of the Nashville skyline or a father gently fixing his daughter’s hair, each painting reveals a part of Jordan’s life. The exhibit is displayed in the Orgain Gallery through February 28th.

In conjunction with Ross’s exhibit, the museum is showcasing an exhibit of  Ludie Amos’ polymer dolls in the Bruner Gallery.

"The Basket Weaver"

The series, entitled “The Artisans” include a sculptor, a potter, and a basket weaver, among others.  Amos, a resident of Clarksville,  spends  hours studying artists at craft fairs and demonstrations prior to working with polymer and cloth. She creates the doll, accessories, and clothing herself, always paying attention to detail and scale. Ludie’s dolls will be on exhibit through April 3.

On the historical side, the Customs House will showcase Dr. Robert Burt, who founded the Home Infirmary, Clarksville’s  first hospital. Dr. Burt was a skilled surgeon, performing  300 to 400 procedures a year during his time as a practicing physician.  He was doing C- sections years before they were common practice,  held tonsil clinics for needy children, and treated obstetric patients at Fort Campbell before there was a hospital on Post. Adjacent to the Dr. Burt exhibit, the museum hosts a small military display in the Treasure’s Vault.

The Customs House Museum is located at the corner of Second and Commerce Streets. Regular museum hours are 10 am to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Adult admission is $5, Sr. Citizens $4, College ID $2, Ages 6 to 18 $1, and children under six are free.