west tennessee delta heritage center

Great piece of history. Just off the interstate. Great rest stop, good down home friendly staff and great exhibits.

Tina Turner Museum is located here in her old one room school house she attended as a child. Also, outside is the John Estes home that we were not familiar with his story. The other part of the museum had the history of cotton plus singers from that area of TN.

I was very impressed with every detail of the time there. I was privileged to be a guest for the press conference and opening celebration of the Flagg Grove School, the one room school where Tina Turner attended, which now is the Tina Turner Museum that houses much of her memorabilia from her career which was donated by Tina herself. It is a must-see! https://www.facebook.com/TinaTurnerHeritageDaysCelebrating the heritage and legacy of Flagg Grove School along with its most famous student, Anna Mae Bullock, known worldwide as Tina Turner. Held each year on the 4th weekend of Sept. at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, TN.http://www.tinaturnerheritagedays.comAlso, next to the Flagg Grove School is the Home of Sleepy John Estes, -John Adam Estes (January 25, 1899 – June 5, 1977), best known as Sleepy John Estes or Sleepy John, was an American blues guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, born in Ripley, Lauderdale County, Tennessee.

Stopped in Brownsville, TN on our way to Texas to see the new Tina Turner Museum. It was small as far as museums go but well worth the side trip. Tina Turner authentic wardrobe and actual school house she went to school in are on display. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Also has 2 other museums but I was focused on Tina :)

This is a good place to stop and rest when passing through this area. Clean restrooms and a nice display room promoting the history of the area with hands on opportunities. Outside is a restored 1-room school house that singer Tina Turner attended when she was a child. Inside is a room with Tina Turner artifacts. They have a gift shop area too with handmade crafts by locals.

West bound Interstate Rest Area just past Jackson was closed and are we ever glad. Waited a few exits that showed hotels and gas and got off. Driveway next to McDonalds curved us around to the Brownsville Welcome Center. There are free museums inside: Hatchie Nation Wildlife, Blues singers that have made important marks including Tina Turner, and a section on early cotton cultivation. Small gift shop, clean restrooms a d friendly staff. We definitely will return when we have more time to browse. Need more signage so more can enjoy.

This is not only a travel stop, it's also a small museum of popular music from the area. That includes Elvis Presley, and also a number of great country blues performers. There are memorabilia from Yank Rachel, Sleepy John Estes, and many others in the music museum room, inside the centre, which also contains changing displays relating to local history.In addition, just outside the centre's parking lot is the actual home of Sleepy John Estes, a small wooden shack which was physically moved from its original site close to Brownsville and placed beside the Delta Heritage Centre as a piece of local history. The house has been preserved but not significantly altered, so it is in fairly shabby condition, especially on the inside. The inside walls are covered with framed photographs of Estes and other performers he worked with over the course of his career.Next door to the shack is the small schoolhouse attended by Tina Turner as a child, also moved next to the centre's parking lot. The centre itself is also a pleasant place to stop, get travel information and take a break, but these artifacts make it particularly worth seeking out for blues music enthusiasts.

Very non descript on the outside, but a small treasure inside! Free museums with fantastic musical history. Super friendly staff. Stretch your legs, get a free cup of coffee and enjoy!

At exit 56, and need a break, drop in this museum, visitor center combination and see what West Tennessee has to offer. The volunteer staff is excited to see you and there are a lot of items available to see or purchase.

Our first stop on my birthday on October 5,2012. This was a true trip back in time. The time when music was music and you knew who was next door. If a neighbor was down the whole neighborhood came in and helps. You think about the days setting around the firelace and just playing checkers and jackrocks if you remember those days before TV, computers, drive-ins, drive-in picture shows. The days before Corn pickers, cotton pickers, and where work in the spring and fall got you through the winter because you killed your own meat and raised your on chicken then when you got ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas the neighbors came together. This is the reminders that was in the shop and all over the complex. It is free to all.

Thank you for the great review. We're so glad you decided to come in and enjoyed your visit. Please drop in again.

We stayed in the hotel across the street from here.There are a few nice things you can purchase in the store. The museum was pretty interesting. This place is worth stoping one time to look at. Check out the little house in the back of the parking lotals before leaving. In the near future Tina Turner's elementary school will be moved to this site also.

So glad you decided to stop by and enjoyed the experience. Safe travels.

this is a great place to stop and take a break between memphis and nashville it has a great museum thats free with all kinds of history...and nice clean bathrooms and the hosts are super nice and helpful

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is a great place to stretch your legs. Their Bathrooms are always clean, and the staff is always friendly. We stop there every time we are traveling I-40. Best Part is is Free & So much better than the normal rest stops, I think they even offer free coffee. There is a Museum there that has information about West Tennessee. A great Place to pick-up travel brochures & even visit their gift shop. ***I highly recommend the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center!!!****