'Magic Tree House' (May 25-Sept. 8)

Creative Discovery Museum's summer exhibit time-travels into America's past

photo Like the characters in the Magic Tree House series of children's books, visitors to the "Magic Tree House Traveling Exhibit" at Creative Discovery Museum can take time-travel adventures into pivotal times in America's history, such as the Civil War.

IF YOU GOWhat: "Magic Tree House Traveling Exhibit"When: Saturday, May 25-Sunday, Sept. 8Where: Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St.Admission: $11.95Phone: 423-756-2738Website: www.cdmfun.orgMUSEUM HOURS• Through June 16: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sundays• June 17-Aug. 11: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily• Aug. 12-Sept. 2: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sundays• Starting Sept. 3: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday (closed Wednesdays), noon-5 p.m. Sundays

Children love tree houses, and there is a new one to explore at Creative Discovery Museum.

The "Magic Tree House Traveling Exhibit" is based on an award-winning children's book series by author Mary Pope Osborne. Main characters Jack and Annie, two normal children from Frog Creek, Pa., use a magical tree house to time-travel into numerous adventures and missions. Along the way, they learn lessons about America's past.

The exhibit invites visitors to join Jack and Annie as they travel back in time to a way of life they have only read about in books.

The focus on American history is a first for the museum, says public relations coordinator Carrie Fitzsimmons.

Three books from the series are featured: "Civil War on Sunday," "Thanksgiving on Thursday" and "Twister on Tuesday," said Fitzsimmons. Each section gives visitors several adventures.

In "Thanksgiving on Thursday," children can climb Plymouth Rock, dig for clams on the beach, help prepare the feast in a Pilgrim house and set the Thanksgiving table.

In "Twister on Tuesday," children can go to school in a one-room schoolhouse, drive the steam engine and experience a simulated tornado.

In "Civil War on Sunday," youngsters can take a bumpy ride in a horse-drawn ambulance, play drums in a drummer boy's tent and work as a nurse in a field hospital.

The Civil War section will be augmented by a photo exhibit and case of Civil War artifacts from the Chattanooga History Center. All of these pieces have local significance.

"We will have photos of the Military Bridge at Ross's Landing and Union soldiers encamped in Chattanooga and the Crutchfield House Hotel, which was used as a hospital," says Executive Director Henry Schulson.

"Visitors can also learn about Johnny Clem, 'Drummer Boy of Chattanooga,' who was probably the youngest boy in the Civil War, enlisting when he was 11 years old, and Kate Cumming, who came to Chattanooga in 1862 and volunteered to be a nurse in the Confederate army," he says.

The "Magic Tree House Traveling Exhibit" will remain on view through Sept. 8.

Contact staff writer Karen Nazor Hill at khill@times freepress.com or 423-757-6396. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/karennazorhill. Subscribe to her posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karennazorhill.

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