Customs House Museum and Cultural Center

The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is a museum located in downtown Clarksville that houses historical collections and rotating art displays. The building features high pitched roofs, corner eagles sculptures, steep gabled windows, and detailed terra cotta decorations throughout the exterior walls.

Built in 1898, this structure originally served as a Federal Post Office and Custom House managing international mail connected to the area's tobacco trade. The building was designed by Charles A. Moses from Chicago and reflects the commercial importance of the city during that era.

The building now functions as a community gathering place where residents and visitors learn about the region's past through exhibits and events. Art shows and educational programs help people understand how Clarksville developed over time.

The museum is easy to find in the downtown area with clear signage and walkable streets around it. Visiting in the morning or early afternoon generally provides a more relaxed viewing experience.

The building showcases an unexpected blend of architectural styles including Stick, Queen Anne, Italianate, Romanesque, Flemish, and Gothic all in one structure. This combination makes it a notable example of how late 19th-century architects mixed diverse design influences.

Location: Clarksville

Inception: 1890s

Architects: William Martin Aiken

Architectural style: Stick style, Queen Anne style architecture

Address: 200 South 2nd Street

Website: http://customshousemuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 36.52611,-87.35861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:27