Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee

Ranked as one of Knoxville, Tennessee’s top attractions, I was looking forward to checking out Ijams Nature Center for the morning before traveling down to Gatlinburg for the week. Having visited the website, I noticed the museum had won several awards and was ranked as a top destination. I wanted to hike the River Trail along the Tennessee River for its scenic views and bird watching and then stroll through the nature center to learn more about the surrounding area.

The exhibits were extremely informative and centered around the ecology of the Tennessee River. I learned that the river was home to over 230 species of fish, 100 types of mussels and the Cherokee Indians before the British began to build settlements here in the 1700s.

Stuffed taxidermy animals were strategically placed throughout the wildlife displays of trees and small ponds. Shallow pools held turtles and local fish which can be found within the river.

I was most impressed with the life-like paintings of Dr. Earl O. Henry, dating back to the late 1940s. Dr. Henry began his interest in birds when he was a young boy, imitating their songs. He was an active member of the Tennessee Ornithological Society that was founded by H.P. Ijams for whom the center is named. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Dr. Henry returned to Knoxville and began to embrace his talent for painting the local birds.

Harry Pearl Ijams helped form the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. An enthusiastic outdoorsman, H.P., as he was known by friends, purchased 20 acres where he set up the Ijams Bird Sanctuary to monitor the various species and study their habits. H.P. would later be regarded as the “Father of Knoxville Ornithology”.

It was a wonderful experience visiting the Ijams Nature Center, learning about the Knoxville wildlife and the men and women who were instrumental in protecting them.

Have you visited the Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee? What were your thoughts? I would be interested in hearing about your time spent at the exhibit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my time spent at Ijams and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ijam’s Nature Center
2915 Island Home Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37920
Telephone: 865 577 4717

Where to Stay:

Four Points Sheraton Knoxville Cumberland House
1109 White Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37916
Telephone: 865 971 4663

Where to Eat:

Babalu
412 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Telephone: 865 329 1002

What to Eat in Knoxville: