Exhibitions

NEXT STOP, CHATTANOOGA! EXPLORING OUR PLACE ON THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

Chattanooga Public Library / 1001 Broad St. June 6 - September 30th

The Local History & Genealogy Department at the Downtown Library is proud to present, Next Stop, Chattanooga! Exploring Our Place on the Great American Road Trip, a new local history exhibit, open through September 2026. The exhibit is open to everyone and available to view Monday through Saturday during Library operating hours.

Curated in celebration of America250, Next Stop, Chattanooga! invites visitors to pull over and rediscover the Scenic City’s legacy as the "Gateway to the South." From the rugged grit of early mountain travel to the transformative arrival of the Dixie Highway and the neon-lit nostalgia of mid-century motor courts, the exhibit explores how the open road reshaped Chattanooga’s landscape, economy, and identity.

Through local stories, photographs, and memorabilia, Next Stop, Chattanooga! highlights the differing journeys travelers experienced along America’s highways—from families seeking roadside attractions and adventure to those seeking safe passage through dangerous conditions. Together, these stories reveal how the promise of freedom on the open road shaped our city’s past and continues to define our sense of place today.

In addition to unique original materials from the Library's historical collections and archives, the exhibit features items on loan or reproduced from The Bessie Smith Cultural Center, The Coker Museum, and Rock City.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the library will host an author talk & book signing with travel writer and photographer Judith Hill Garrison, featuring her latest book, "See Rock City Barns," on Saturday, July 11 at 4:00 pm. The event will be free and open to everyone. For more information, visit chattlibrary.org.