Bessie Smith Cultural Center

06/02/2026

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is proud to be a Blue Star Museum in 2026! Active military personnel and their families can visit the museum for free from May 16 (Armed Forces Day) through September 7 (Labor Day). We appreciate your service and can’t wait for you to visit. For more info visit www.bessiesmithcc.org

www.bessiesmithcc.org/post/bessie-smith-cultural-center-will-be-a-2026-blue-star-museum

05/21/2026

The museum will be closed on Tuesday 5/26 and Wednesday 5/27 for some very exciting upgrades, additions, and repairs. We will reopen on Thursday 5/28!

For more information visit www.bessiesmithcc.org

05/21/2026

Celebrate freedom, community, and culture with us at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on June 19 for a full day of FREE family fun! Enjoy exciting activities, games, giveaways, music, food, community resources, free museum admission, and so much more as we come together for our Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom.

Local organizations from across the community will be on-site with interactive activities and resources for all ages, making this a day you do not want to miss!

Learn more and plan your visit at: www.bessiesmithcc.org/event-details/juneteenth-celebration-of-freedom-2026

Join us on Friday, June 19 from 11AM–5PM for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center’s Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom!

Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with:
🎶 Music by DJ Ant
🌮 Food Trucks
🎨 Kids Activities
🏛 FREE Museum Admission
🎥 Screening of “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” Documentary

Bring the whole family and spend the day celebrating on Chattanooga’s historic Big 9 as we honor the history, resilience, and spirit of Juneteenth.

This is a FREE community event! We’ll see you at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center! ❤️🖤💚

05/15/2026

Thank you Dane Wurmlinger TV and WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9 News for this incredible tribute to Bessie! Our museum encapsulates hundreds of the incredible African Americans who have, and are, making Chattanooga amazing!

05/14/2026

Chattanooga, get ready!

Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest returns Saturday, June 20, from 3PM–10PM on the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for an unforgettable day of music, culture, food, and community celebrating the historic Big 9!

Enjoy food vendors, local artists, and a full day of entertainment in the heart of Chattanooga’s Big 9.

Presented by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and made possible through the support of our amazing community partners and sponsors.

📍 Bessie Smith Cultural Center
📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 3PM – 10PM
🎟 FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

More information: www.bessiesmithcc.org/festival

05/12/2026

Join us on Friday, June 19 from 11AM–5PM for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center’s Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom!

Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with:
🎶 Music by DJ Ant
🌮 Food Trucks
🎨 Kids Activities
🏛 FREE Museum Admission
🎥 Screening of “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” Documentary

Bring the whole family and spend the day celebrating on Chattanooga’s historic Big 9 as we honor the history, resilience, and spirit of Juneteenth.

This is a FREE community event! We’ll see you at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center! ❤️🖤💚

05/03/2026

Negro League Appreciation Day 2026 was definitely one for the books! Special thank you to Food City for making tonight possible!

05/02/2026

We are having a great time with the Lookouts and Food City for Negro League Appreciation Day! So much history in the air tonight!

05/02/2026

Negro League Appreciation Night! The Lookouts become the Chattanooga Choo-Choos🚂

Saturday, May 2nd | Gates Open at 5pm for 6:30pm Game

👉First 1,000 fans receive THIS jersey pillow! 👀

Chattanooga Lookouts x Bessie Smith Cultural Center

Get your tickets now!
🎟️ https://www.milb.com/chattanooga/tickets/single-game-tickets =818066

05/02/2026

Join us tonight with the Chattanooga Lookouts and Food City for Negro League Appreciation night at Erlanger Park! Meet former players before the game!

Tickets: https://www.milb.com/chattanooga/tickets/single-game-tickets =818066