A new exhibit featuring the story of Cookeville’s iconic Cream City sign now open at at the Cookeville History Museum.
City of Cookeville Museums Manager Beth Thompson said the exhibit’s main focus is to tell the history behind the downtown icon. Thompson said the neon sign has served as a landmark for Cookeville’s west side since it was installed back in 1950.
“They don’t realize that was an ice cream factory as recently as the 1960s,” Thompson said. “And that it was a dairy kind of factory even before that. A manufacturing company delivered fresh milk and other dairy products to the region.”
Thompson said the exhibit offers a variety of artifacts including photos and original ice cream containers. Interpretative panels explain the history of neon signs and how they are maintained.
“When Highway 70 was the main artery through town, it was just block away from Cream City store and the depot,” Thompson said. “People would come over in their cars and just to watch the sign. It’s always been a landmark.”
Thompson says visitors can join in on the celebration while at the museum.
“There’s a whole lot of fun, There’s a selfie station with props,” Thompson said. “There’s a place where you can put in your favorite flavor of ice cream and put it on the ice cream cone and stick it to the wall. There are coloring pages and crafts things for kids. It’s just kind of a party atmosphere and we think that people are really going to enjoy coming in to visit and see the unique exhibit.”
The exhibit “Shining Bright Over Cookeville: 75 Years of the Cream City Sign” is in collaboration with Cookeville CityScape. CityScape is responsible for maintaining the Cream City sign.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-4pm.
