Those looking to choose between history, culture, and outdoor activities in Humphreys will find a wide range of options: a memorial to the Waverly train disaster, Johnsonville State Historic Park, a museum in a historic home, and an outdoor art park. These themes can help you plan your stay around your own interests.
Memorial Sites and History
The Waverly Train Explosion Memorial commemorates a train derailment and the subsequent explosion of a propane tank in 1978. Sixteen people were killed and 43 were seriously injured. The caboose of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at the memorial houses a museum about the explosion of February 24, 1978; there is also a state historical marker on site. This means visitors can find both a museum and a marker at the same memorial site.
Johnsonville State Historic Park commemorates the Johnsonville Depot, the Battle of Johnsonville, and the historic town of Johnsonville. The town existed from 1864 to 1944, before Kentucky Lake was created. The park also offers about 10 miles of well-maintained trails for hiking and walking. Activities available there include bird-watching, geocaching, swimming, bank fishing, and picnicking. Those looking to combine history with time outdoors will find a variety of options within the same park.
Museums, Music History, and Local Culture
The Humphreys County Museum & Butterfield House is housed in a preserved home built in the early 20th century. Its exhibits include artifacts from the American Civil War, tributes to local figures, and displays about local musicians, artists, and residents. The house is surrounded by Fort Hill, an earthen Civil War fort built and defended by the 13th U.S. Colored Troops. The museum and fort offer different points of interest: the site features both collections on local history and a specific Civil War location.
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch includes the Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum and Loretta’s historic home. The St. Patrick’s Irish Picnic and Homecoming in McEwen takes place on the last Friday and Saturday in July. Its history dates back to 1854, when the St. Patrick’s Irish Picnic began as a fundraiser for a church bell. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the current event dates before making plans.
Art, Technology History, and Activities
Waverly Walls Art Park is a five-acre outdoor art park with more than 80 paintable surfaces. Outdoor art is a distinct point of interest alongside the museums and historic sites. Enoch’s Mill offers a different glimpse into the region’s past: the small log mill was built in the 1930s as a corn mill and to provide electricity for a farm.
For a very different activity, Music City Skydiving is located at Humphreys County Airport, 1005 Airport Rd., Waverly, TN 37185. The different themes can help guide your choice: a history-focused stay can center on the memorial, park, and museum, while art, a July weekend, or outdoor activities offer other options to focus on.
Nature and Planning Your Stay
The Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge lies at the confluence of the Duck and Tennessee Rivers in Humphreys and Benton Counties. The Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge has refuge roads, several trails, wildlife observation platforms and facilities, an auto tour, 23 boat ramps, and a fishing pier. The options range from trails and wildlife viewing to activities on the water; they cater to different interests and do not imply a set order for visiting.
To plan your stay, you can first decide whether memorials and museums, art, the July event weekend, or outdoor activities will be your focus. The picnic offers a specific date to plan around; you can prioritize the other themes according to your personal interests.
Discover more destinations: Hurricane Mills, Weakley County, Hickman County, Lauderdale County, Putnam County, Henry County, Tipton, Coffee
For the broader travel overview: Tennessee.
