Tennessee Aquarium & Hunter Museum of American Art
On Sunday, March 18th, our class decided to be tourists for the day and took a stroll from our hotel (Base Camp Beta, the Holiday Inn and Suites) to the Tennessee Aquarium, The Passage, and the Hunter Museum of American Art. The walk through downtown Chattanooga took the class through a variety of gentrified areas of downtown leading to what geography Larry Ford explained as Chattanooga's "Fun Zone." On the way we observed how pedestrian friendly the city is trying to be. Based on early elements of New Urbanism downtown Chattanooga transformed itself from an industrial hub on the Tennessee River, into a new urbanist center. There are multiple sections on the sidewalks where people can rent bicycles accompanied by an array of bike lanes throughout Chattanooga. Efforts to make the appearance of downtown more nature friendly was apparent by the trees placed in between two-lane traffic as well as other vegetation around buildings.
As the focal point of urban redevelopment started in the 1990s, the Tennessee Aquarium is an impressive structure split into two different buildings: the river journey and the ocean journey. The river journey focuses mainly on Tennessee's unique river ecosystem starting on the highest floor meandering way to the bottom. Each level is filled with unique fish, amphibians, and mammals accompanied with interesting facts. The ocean journey was similarly designed, but also included a rain forest themed area full of lemurs, a stingray petting pond, and a butterfly garden. Highlighting the ocean journey are the aquariums penguins! All in all, this structure was designed for families to enjoy a few hours learning about a variety of species found throughout the world.
Before heading to the art museum, the class made a quick detour to The Passage at Ross’s Landing. This passage marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears and pays respect to the Cherokee population so harshly impacted decades ago. This is outdoor monument is accessible to anyone in the city free of cost. Along the passage, viewers are treated to seven different symbols along the wall all holding different meanings telling the story of the Cherokee. Descriptions of the symbols are conveniently provided for viewers to read. Parts of the Passage also serve as splash pad for kids during the hot and humid days of summer. Along the river, each year, a ceremony is performed marking the Trail of Tears. The Passage is a respectful reminder of the often forgotten indigenous populations that once occupied the area and insidious actions white populations took to gain control.
The Hunter Museum of American Art is comprised of two different buildings representing different artistic representations. The original building, represented as a traditional southern plantation style house, hosts a variety of artworks mainly related to area or the United States dating back to the 1800s. Patrons of the museum are able to view art in a rather impressive building that reflects common architecture found throughout the south nearly 100 years ago. The second addition, designed by a student of the famous architect, Frank Gehry, welcomes viewers to a world of modern art. No matter your taste, visitors to this museum will treated to different styles of artwork including paintings, sculptures, photography, blown glass, and digital art.
Battle of Chickamauga
On Tuesday, March 20, our class was fortunate enough to receive a full day tour of the Battle of Chickamauga from our National Park Service guide Jim Ogden. Staring outside our hotel, Jim provided us an overview of the day by connecting Chattanooga's physical landscape to the Civil War and the development of modern day Chattanooga. Within 10 mins, the class knew it was going to be insightful day. From the hotel, we traveled to the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. The visitor center had a museum and exhibit areas that provides plenty of information for all visitors to understand all aspects of the battle. Upon completing a short video, Jim was able to use a large battle map that tied both geography and geology to understand the full context of what happened before, during, and after the battle in Chattanooga. Due to the geology of the area, mountain gaps, passageways, and corridors were vital to understanding the battle. As the class traveled throughout the park, Jim stopped us numerous times to point out key parts of the battle. In each instance Jim provide us a unique and passionate insight. By the end, the class was provided an excellent description of not only the battle at Chickamauga but a greater appreciation of the area as a whole.
Ed Johnson Memorial
On March 19th, 1906 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, saw the lynching of a young African American, Ed Johnson, on the Walnut Street Bridge. Johnson was accused and convicted of raping a young white woman. His sentence was death. Johnson was left with few options, but his case was taken up by two African American attorneys, Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins. After a number of appeals, Johnson was running out of luck. Parden made one last attempt by traveling to Washington D.C. to appeal to the 6th Circuit Judge (this contains Tennessee), U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan. The case was taken up by the Supreme Court and a they issued a stay in Johnson's execution on March 19th. That evening local Chattanoogans decided to take the law in their own hands. Johnson was taken out of the local jail and hanged on the Walnut Street Bridge. After two minutes Johnson was still alive. Local accounts stated nearly fifty bullets were fired on Johnson, ultimately killing him. As a result of this lynching the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear the case United States v Shipp, the only criminal case ever heard in the Supreme Court, and all charged were found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 90 days in jail.
During our time in Chattanooga, our class attended a memorial of Ed Johnson held by the community. Before arriving at the event, our class had never heard of Ed Johnson or his moving story. With a story that could not be more representative of the injustices faced by so many African American people, we lamented and reflected on how some of these inequalities still exist today. During the day of the memorial, our class visited the Walnut Street Bridge where Ed Johnson was lynched. The area had experienced extreme levels of gentrification, where much of the African American population was being pushed toward the outer areas of the city. With issues like this still present today, it was pointed out to our class to be cognizant of the injustices still present today. The ceremony was a powerful and moving experience.
Ruby Falls
As the largest underground waterfall in the US, the destination of Ruby Falls was an exciting stop in Chattanooga, TN. Located 1120 feet below the Earth surface, this massive waterfall was discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambert. The falls were named after Leo’s wife, Ruby, in her honor. The waterfall drops 145 feet from top to bottom and is illuminated by a display of lights, with theatrical music in the background. Due to its location underground and the lack of effect of surface weather patterns, the cave stays at a comfortable 60°Fahrenheit year-round.
Chickamagua Dam
Located on the Tennessee River just North of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Chickamagua Dam is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The facility is capable of producing 119-megawatts and helps power the city, while also preventing flooding in the area. Built in 1940, the Dam has helped reduce massive economic damage to the city caused by annual flooding of the untamed Tennessee River. Before the Dam was built, roughly $1.7 million was spent each year ($31 million at today’s value) repairing damage due to flooding. Today, the Dam has eliminated about $5 billion in costs that would have occurred from flooding while also bringing jobs, prosperity, and energy production in its place.
On Sunday, March 18th, our class decided to be tourists for the day and took a stroll from our hotel (Base Camp Beta, the Holiday Inn and Suites) to the Tennessee Aquarium, The Passage, and the Hunter Museum of American Art. The walk through downtown Chattanooga took the class through a variety of gentrified areas of downtown leading to what geography Larry Ford explained as Chattanooga's "Fun Zone." On the way we observed how pedestrian friendly the city is trying to be. Based on early elements of New Urbanism downtown Chattanooga transformed itself from an industrial hub on the Tennessee River, into a new urbanist center. There are multiple sections on the sidewalks where people can rent bicycles accompanied by an array of bike lanes throughout Chattanooga. Efforts to make the appearance of downtown more nature friendly was apparent by the trees placed in between two-lane traffic as well as other vegetation around buildings.
As the focal point of urban redevelopment started in the 1990s, the Tennessee Aquarium is an impressive structure split into two different buildings: the river journey and the ocean journey. The river journey focuses mainly on Tennessee's unique river ecosystem starting on the highest floor meandering way to the bottom. Each level is filled with unique fish, amphibians, and mammals accompanied with interesting facts. The ocean journey was similarly designed, but also included a rain forest themed area full of lemurs, a stingray petting pond, and a butterfly garden. Highlighting the ocean journey are the aquariums penguins! All in all, this structure was designed for families to enjoy a few hours learning about a variety of species found throughout the world.
Before heading to the art museum, the class made a quick detour to The Passage at Ross’s Landing. This passage marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears and pays respect to the Cherokee population so harshly impacted decades ago. This is outdoor monument is accessible to anyone in the city free of cost. Along the passage, viewers are treated to seven different symbols along the wall all holding different meanings telling the story of the Cherokee. Descriptions of the symbols are conveniently provided for viewers to read. Parts of the Passage also serve as splash pad for kids during the hot and humid days of summer. Along the river, each year, a ceremony is performed marking the Trail of Tears. The Passage is a respectful reminder of the often forgotten indigenous populations that once occupied the area and insidious actions white populations took to gain control.
The Hunter Museum of American Art is comprised of two different buildings representing different artistic representations. The original building, represented as a traditional southern plantation style house, hosts a variety of artworks mainly related to area or the United States dating back to the 1800s. Patrons of the museum are able to view art in a rather impressive building that reflects common architecture found throughout the south nearly 100 years ago. The second addition, designed by a student of the famous architect, Frank Gehry, welcomes viewers to a world of modern art. No matter your taste, visitors to this museum will treated to different styles of artwork including paintings, sculptures, photography, blown glass, and digital art.
Battle of Chickamauga
On Tuesday, March 20, our class was fortunate enough to receive a full day tour of the Battle of Chickamauga from our National Park Service guide Jim Ogden. Staring outside our hotel, Jim provided us an overview of the day by connecting Chattanooga's physical landscape to the Civil War and the development of modern day Chattanooga. Within 10 mins, the class knew it was going to be insightful day. From the hotel, we traveled to the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. The visitor center had a museum and exhibit areas that provides plenty of information for all visitors to understand all aspects of the battle. Upon completing a short video, Jim was able to use a large battle map that tied both geography and geology to understand the full context of what happened before, during, and after the battle in Chattanooga. Due to the geology of the area, mountain gaps, passageways, and corridors were vital to understanding the battle. As the class traveled throughout the park, Jim stopped us numerous times to point out key parts of the battle. In each instance Jim provide us a unique and passionate insight. By the end, the class was provided an excellent description of not only the battle at Chickamauga but a greater appreciation of the area as a whole.
Ed Johnson Memorial
On March 19th, 1906 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, saw the lynching of a young African American, Ed Johnson, on the Walnut Street Bridge. Johnson was accused and convicted of raping a young white woman. His sentence was death. Johnson was left with few options, but his case was taken up by two African American attorneys, Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins. After a number of appeals, Johnson was running out of luck. Parden made one last attempt by traveling to Washington D.C. to appeal to the 6th Circuit Judge (this contains Tennessee), U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan. The case was taken up by the Supreme Court and a they issued a stay in Johnson's execution on March 19th. That evening local Chattanoogans decided to take the law in their own hands. Johnson was taken out of the local jail and hanged on the Walnut Street Bridge. After two minutes Johnson was still alive. Local accounts stated nearly fifty bullets were fired on Johnson, ultimately killing him. As a result of this lynching the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear the case United States v Shipp, the only criminal case ever heard in the Supreme Court, and all charged were found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 90 days in jail.
During our time in Chattanooga, our class attended a memorial of Ed Johnson held by the community. Before arriving at the event, our class had never heard of Ed Johnson or his moving story. With a story that could not be more representative of the injustices faced by so many African American people, we lamented and reflected on how some of these inequalities still exist today. During the day of the memorial, our class visited the Walnut Street Bridge where Ed Johnson was lynched. The area had experienced extreme levels of gentrification, where much of the African American population was being pushed toward the outer areas of the city. With issues like this still present today, it was pointed out to our class to be cognizant of the injustices still present today. The ceremony was a powerful and moving experience.
Ruby Falls
As the largest underground waterfall in the US, the destination of Ruby Falls was an exciting stop in Chattanooga, TN. Located 1120 feet below the Earth surface, this massive waterfall was discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambert. The falls were named after Leo’s wife, Ruby, in her honor. The waterfall drops 145 feet from top to bottom and is illuminated by a display of lights, with theatrical music in the background. Due to its location underground and the lack of effect of surface weather patterns, the cave stays at a comfortable 60°Fahrenheit year-round.
Chickamagua Dam
Located on the Tennessee River just North of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Chickamagua Dam is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The facility is capable of producing 119-megawatts and helps power the city, while also preventing flooding in the area. Built in 1940, the Dam has helped reduce massive economic damage to the city caused by annual flooding of the untamed Tennessee River. Before the Dam was built, roughly $1.7 million was spent each year ($31 million at today’s value) repairing damage due to flooding. Today, the Dam has eliminated about $5 billion in costs that would have occurred from flooding while also bringing jobs, prosperity, and energy production in its place.