Each of the living-history characters
exemplifying our region's history and culture springs from a distinct phase of our area's
development.
These characters are fictitious for the most part, but
they were carefully crafted to reflect the Museum's "River of Time" theme
highlighting the periods crucial to our history. That theme was developed in November,
1994, by the Museum's Story Line Task Force to make our region's history quickly
accessible to an audience ranging from schoolchildren to serious researchers.
It identified these seven distinct eras in story:
Period One, Prehistory - 1700: Mankind and the
land. The river of Bradley County's time began with the shaping of the land by
water. To that land, there came a long series of inhabitants. These early peoples arrived
from diverse locations, being drawn to the resources and hospitable climate of this
region, including the fishing, hunting and farming opportunities.
Period Two, 1700-1840: The Struggle for Settlement.
The very factors that drew mankind to this region would soon prove to be the source of
contention that would give birth to the establishment of the Ocoee District, new counties,
new cities and the loss of thousands of Cherokee homes and families as they began the
Trail of Tears. Participants include Native Americans, and early settlers, Yuchi,
Cherokees, Euro-Americans, African-Americans, DeSoto's visit (1540) and the Trail of Tears
(1838).
Period Three, 1840-1865: The Quickening Pace.
The pace of life during this era increased rapidly. The land continued to be the
determining factor for sustenance and living, but new issues and circumstances were added
-- transportation changes, slavery and developing commerce. And while learning to deal
with these dramatic changes, the Ocoee District and Bradley County were then thrust into
the horror and trauma of the Civil War.
Period Four, 1865-1899: Moving Ahead.
Reconstruction after the Civil War brought a period of sure and steady growth --
economically, culturally and religiously. There remained those elements of the land and
abundant resources that had always drawn settlers, and now were drawing commerce and
industry.
Period Five, 1900-1940: A New Century. The
new century brought new ideas, new citizens and new prosperity. Though buffeted by war,
that turmoil seemed far away as homegrown industries continued to thrive. As the
Depression settled upon this generation, rugged times gave rise to a rugged sprit of
survival and success.
Period Six, 1940-1979: Cleveland on the World
Stage. People, information and manufactured goods and services continued moving
in and out of Bradley County at a steady pace. The results were changes in how people
lived, worked and interacted with each other. Due to World War II, the Interstate Highway
system, integration, communication technology, tourism development, excellence in sports
and leisure activities and new industry moving in, Bradley Countians underwent many
changes. And as these changes occurred, Bradley County was growing into an important
region integral to the development of the State of Tennessee, the United States and the
world.
Period Seven, 1980 onward: The Future Unlimited.
Throughout the 1980s and '90s, Bradley County has been and will continue to be confronted
with choices and challenges. Tourism is ever-growing. Industry is ever-changing.
Technology is ever-present. These challenges offer new opportunities and new outlooks as
citizens of the Ocoee Region focus on the future.
A physical representation of this "River of
Time" is a key feature of the Museum structure, with major contributors to the
capital campaign memorialized as boulders throughout its course.
  
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