The Overton County Museum is a local-history museum in Livingston, Tennessee, housed in the county’s former sheriff’s office and jail. Its exhibits span military history, farming, schools and community life, making it a town-based stop for learning about Overton County.
- Location: 318 West Broad Street, Livingston, Tennessee 38570
- Typical hours: Open Thursday to Saturday; closed Sunday to Wednesday
- Admission: Free, with donations accepted
What the museum covers
The Overton County Heritage Museum brings together artifacts and exhibits about the county’s military, working and community history. The museum opened in March 2002 as a project of the Overton County Historical Society, starting with a few exhibits and a handful of volunteers.
Collections include Civil War, World War I and World War II military items, old medical instruments and equipment, early farm implements, and household items from the Depression years. Exhibits also cover African-American history, the Alpine Institute, local schools, the Civil War and WPA/CCC relief projects of the 1930s.
One display focuses on Camp Crossville, a World War II prisoner-of-war camp that held German and Italian prisoners. It includes artifacts on loan from the Clyde York 4-H Camp. Other exhibits feature B.C. Goodpasture, an Overton County writer and preacher, as well as photographs documenting damage from the 1933 tornado.
Where is the museum, and how do you get there?
The museum is at 318 West Broad Street, two blocks from Livingston’s courthouse square. That puts it within a short walk of the town-center landmark, with the museum visit easy to combine with time around the square.
For a broader sense of the town’s landmarks and layout, a guide to Livingston, Tennessee offers useful context.
The museum is about 0.6 miles from Overton Motel.
Hours, admission and access
Check the official site before you go, or call the museum at (931) 403-0909 to confirm its hours.
Opening hours
- Thursday to Saturday: 9 AM–2 PM
- Monday to Wednesday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Admission is described as free, with donations accepted. The museum is available for large and small tour groups by request, so call ahead if you’re arranging a group visit.
What to look for during a visit
Start with the exhibits that match your interests, then take time for the subjects that connect local stories to wider events. The Camp Crossville display links the county to World War II, while the military collections span three wars.
Farm implements and household objects offer a different view of daily life, and the exhibits on schools, the Alpine Institute and relief projects trace local institutions and community history.
The photographs of the 1933 tornado add a record of a specific event in the county’s past. Together, the range of subjects gives you several ways to follow Overton County’s history through objects, photographs and local biographies.
Pairing the museum with a Livingston outing
The courthouse square, nearby shops and restaurants, and Central Park Livingston are natural additions to a visit, as recommended by the Livingston tourism guide. Since the museum is two blocks from the square, you can fit the town-center stops around your museum visit.
If you’re planning a fuller day in town, the one-day Livingston itinerary can help you organize other stops alongside the museum.
FAQs
What is the official name of the museum?
Its full name is the Overton County Heritage Museum. It is located in Livingston, Tennessee.
How much does admission cost?
Admission is described as free, and donations are accepted.
Can groups visit?
Large and small tour groups can visit by request. Call the museum at (931) 403-0909 to ask about arranging a visit.