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Our mission:

To preserve and interpret
the history and culture
of the Ocoee District of Tennessee
by highlighting the adventures
of its people.

The Museum Center at 5ive Points' journey from concept to reality reflects a decade-long commitment to this project by the Bradley County Historical Society. That dedication was combined with support and input from the City Council, the County Commission, Cleveland Associated Industries, MainStreet Cleveland, the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce, other community leaders and the capital campaign leadership. (Click here for details of the planning process.) The result: a Museum Center dedicated to connecting our people with their past, and linking that past with the future.

The Museum Center tells the story of all who have passed through our region, and it belongs to all those who have lived in or visited our community -- or ever will.

In the four years leading up to groundbreaking, a series of retreats, public forums, and surveys involving more than 500 residents established our organizational mission -- "To preserve and interpret the history and culture of the Ocoee District of  Tennessee by highlighting the adventures of its people" – and identified four distinct community needs that this project will meet:

  • Creating a place to preserve our heritage – to give our residents, our children and our area’s visitors a sense of the rich history and positive values of this area we call home. Cleveland and Bradley County (click here to view map; when finished, hit "back" on your browser) had been the only community its size in Tennessee without a facility dedicated to the preservation of its historic artifacts. Tourism plays a burgeoning role in our region’s economy – some 275,000 people rafting the Ocoee River in 1997, for example, according to the Tennessee Department of Conservation – and a dynamic, well-conceived Museum provides an incentive to visitors to extend their stays. Even more crucial is outreach to our own community, already ongoing through the museum's school programs. Our goal is a minimum of seven contacts with every Bradley County schoolchild by Grade 6.
  • Creating a showcase for the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to fuel our community’s success. The State of Tennessee recently identified Bradley County as its fifth largest manufacturing center in terms of number of employees. This community’s success in creating jobs and prosperity for its people is a source of deep pride; that story must be preserved to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and employees.
  • Creating a cultural center for the community, with flexible space and programming designed to showcase the talents of our citizens. Retreat and campaign survey participants both identified the need for meeting/performance facilities for use by business, civic groups and the general public. A three-year Operational Summary and Budget (click here for details) lists community theater performances by the Ocoee Players, rental to civic/business groups and rotating exhibits among programming already slated for this space. This aspect will ensure that the facility will be used and enjoyed daily and will be a vibrant part of our community for years to come.
  • Creating an anchor for the 5-Points revitalization project in downtown Cleveland. In July of 1994, MainStreet-Cleveland, our downtown development organization, identified the 5-Points area near the railroad depot as its next focus for revitalization. Independently, the Museum Board of Trustees had identified available property on Inman Street at 5-Points (click here to view map; when finished, hit "back" on your browser) as their first site choice. Just as the Aquarium led redevelopment of downtown Chattanooga, the Museum Center will stimulate revitalization on a scale appropriate for our community.

The Museum Center serves as a bridge between Bradley County’s collective memories and stories -- our region's inheritance -- and the future. It is a legacy for generations to come.

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