Bartlett Museum
Bartlett Museum located in the Gotten House
Artifacts and period furniture as well as historical files and photographs of early history of Bartlett, TN.
Admission is FREE
The museum is open the first and third Sunday of each month from 2-4 PM. Special tours can be arranged by calling 901.373.8433.
Gotten House
The historic Gotten House was built in 1871 by Nicholas Gotten, (born 1832), a veteran of the Civil War. He was a native of Prussia and immigrated to America in 1854. He was a blacksmith, a merchant and a ginner. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company C under Captain Mays of General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s regiment. After the war he returned to Bartlett and married Miss Julia Coleman. They had three children: Peter Monroe, David Henry and Maggie Amelia who grew up in this house. Mrs. Gotten died in 1892, and Mr. Gotten in 1919. Their descendants still live in Memphis and Bartlett.
History
This house, built in New England saltbox style, remained in the Gotten family until 1948. Other families lived here until the City of Bartlett bought the property for use as a Police Annex. In 1982 the police moved out and the house was slated to be demolished. Mrs. Elva Bledsoe appealed to then Mayor Oscar Yates to save it and preserve its history along with Bartlett's history.
National Register
The Bartlett Historical Society was formed and a request was presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to preserve the Gotten House as a museum and home to the Historical Society. In September, 1982 permission was granted and the Gotten House was leased to the Bartlett Historical Society for fifty years. The house was renovated and restored to its original form. On October 17, 1990, the Bartlett Museum housed in the Gotten House was formally dedicated to the City of Bartlett. On March 20, 2002 the Gotten House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Past Museum Displays
History of Bartlett High School
Photos, memorabilia, and yearbooks.
Transportation then and now.
Bartlett High School through the years.
Well known students of BHS.
Sports and other notable events.
Dickens Christmas
A working organ to enjoy singing carols
Entryway staircase decorated for Christmas
Display cases decorated
Display cases with decorations
Fireplace mantel decorated
Holiday decorations in all rooms