| 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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