Humboldt History Museum

Humboldt History Museum The Humboldt Strawberry Festival Historical Museum is located in the restored 1912 old City Hall building.

The Humboldt Strawberry Festival Historical Museum was founded in 1979 by a group of citizens concerned with preserving a historical record of the City of Humboldt and the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, the Museum houses a wide variety of memorabilia documenting both the city and the Festival. The museum was originally located at the Humboldt Public Library, but was relocated in December 1993

to the restored “Old City Hall” building on Main Street. The museum displays include: Strawberry Festival items, photographs of former Humboldt mayors, items from businesses and industries, military items including uniforms, medals, and weaponry. It also houses in it’s collections: post office and bank documents, telephone switchboard and other telephone equipment, railroad memorabilia and early telegraph. Also you will find publications such as: novels, history books and inspirational writings by Humboldt authors. We house a large collection of Humboldt School related items.

Humboldt became home to Loeb's Tennessee Pit BBQ in 1971. Loeb's has a rich history in Memphis and brought it's Memphis ...
08/28/2026

Humboldt became home to Loeb's Tennessee Pit BBQ in 1971. Loeb's has a rich history in Memphis and brought it's Memphis BBQ flavor to our city.

A button in our collection celebrating the 1973 Gibson County Sesquicentennial. The ‘Sisters of the Swish’ were a women’...
08/27/2026

A button in our collection celebrating the 1973 Gibson County Sesquicentennial. The ‘Sisters of the Swish’ were a women’s historical costume organization. The name comes from the term ‘swish’ used to describe the sound and appearance of long skirts.

An ad searching for concession vendors for the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival in a 1948 edition of ‘The Billboard’. ...
08/26/2026

An ad searching for concession vendors for the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival in a 1948 edition of ‘The Billboard’. The Billboard was a publication that focused on Amusement companies and events.

08/19/2026

We are closed this week for a training conference. We will reopen next Wednesday, August 26th.

In honor of Elvis Week we salute Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore. Born as Winfield Scott Moore he was born in between Humbo...
08/12/2026

In honor of Elvis Week we salute Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore. Born as Winfield Scott Moore he was born in between Humboldt and Gadsden on December 27, 1931. Through the years he also worked on records for Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tommy James and Ringo Starr. In 2000 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Moore passed away in 2016 and is buried at Cox's Chapel Church in Coxville in Crockett County Tennessee.

Postcard from the Booker T. Motel. The Booker T. Motel was and is one of the most historically significant African-Ameri...
08/05/2026

Postcard from the Booker T. Motel. The Booker T. Motel was and is one of the most historically significant African-American businesses in West Tennessee in the 1950s-60s'. The motel was constructed in Humboldt in 1954 and included a barbecue resteraunt operated by the Pulliam family who would become the cornerstone barbecue establishment in Humboldt BBQ history. The Booker T. Motel was featured in the Negro Motorists Green Book as a place where African-American families could safely stay between Nashville and Memphis during segregation. Guests could enter the front door of the business as opposed to the segregated back door that was prominent during this period of time. The motel was featured in a 1955 issue of Ebony magazine. The original sign for the motel is now preserved at the National Museum of African-American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

Photograph of Main Street in Humboldt estimated to have been taken from 1939-1942.
07/31/2026

Photograph of Main Street in Humboldt estimated to have been taken from 1939-1942.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support during this difficult time. I am alive and well and thankful f...
07/29/2026

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support during this difficult time. I am alive and well and thankful for each day I have been given. I am glad to say that I am back at the museum and we are open. Looking forward to upcoming projects here at your Humboldt History Museum.

Tony Kail - Curator

07/09/2026

My friends,

I had planned on opening the museum this week but had another setback with my health. I am working towards opening next week barring any additional issues. I thank you for your patience and your support during these difficult days and look forward to seeing you again very soon.

All the best,
Tony Kail
Curator

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and encouragement. I am slowly but surely healing every day. I...
06/30/2026

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and encouragement. I am slowly but surely healing every day. I will be back at the museum next week following the 4th of July holiday. Have a wonderful holiday and I look forward to serving you as curator very soon.

Address

1200 Main Street
Humboldt, TN
38343

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday 1pm - 3pm
Friday 1pm - 3pm

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