Statements
Mission
To celebrate, educate, promote, and preserve Madison, Tennessee, through the historic Amqui Station and Visitor's Center.
Background
The community of Madison was given the opportunity to move the historic Amqui Station (a 1910 Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company combination passenger & switching station) back to Madison from the late Johnny Cash's property in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Volunteers contributed many donated hours, and began the process that led to the development and establishment of a new community 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the arts, culture, heritage, and community of Madison, Tennessee. Today, the Station has been restored as a museum and educational center. A visitor's center and pavilion were designed and constructed as part of the facility project for special programs and events. Discover Madison, Inc. (DMI) is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The Station is staffed throughout the week by board members and community volunteers.
Impact
In 2005, the Amqui Train Station was given back to the community of Madison, if $35,000 could be raised to move it. This offer would bring the Station back "home" after being saved from demolition and moved in 1979 to Johnny Cash's home in Hendersonville. Since then, Discover Madison, Inc. established 501(c)3 status, acquired land donated by AT&T, moved the station, set it on its permanent foundation, and received approximately $1,000,000 in grants.DMI - Amqui Station was awarded the TDOT Enhancement Grant in September of 2007. On June 6, 2010, DMI celebrated the Station's Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The Visitors Center, Pavilion, and Lawn & Grounds are available to the public for rental events, such as weddings, showers, and corporate/business gatherings. All funds received from rentals and special events help cover the costs of operations and maintenance.In 2012, Discover Madison, Inc. began the process of developing an exhibit policy and plans for interpretation of the historic Amqui Station. The Amqui Station Museum focuses on local and regional history, the railroad, and music. The museum is located in the renovated Amqui Train Station (a 1910 Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company combination passenger & switching station). In 2014, additional property was donated by AT&T which adds to our opportunities for educational programming, events, and community outreach programs. In August 2015, the additional land provided DMI the opportunity for a World War II Remembrance Day and Living History Encampment educational event which drew 650 attendees. This program was given an award of educational programming excellence by the Tennessee Association of Museums and has become an annual event.Our Board of Directors is diverse, with business men and women, community leaders, and historians. The board and community volunteers donate their time, energy, and funding to further develop our mission and vision for the site, to keep Amqui Station as the center of the community in Madison and tell the history of the area. In addition to focusing on the historic Amqui Station as a museum and visitors center, DMI has recognixed its role in the bigger picture of the Madison community and how the Amqui Station complex might be a focal point, community anchor, and gathering place where events of all types can be held for all people in the community. In the last year, Amqui Station has hosted several free and family friendly events, including a Friendgiving event, a Christmas Tree Lighting, a St. Patrick's Day event, the Dig-It Gem & Mineral Show, the Amqui Station Farmers Market, and the World War II Remembrance Day and Living History Encampment. The Station's museum exhibits have been updated to showcase local, railroad, and country music history. Amqui Station will host the following upcoming events: a Gubernatorial (and other) candidate town hall event, a car show, a fundraising gala, and a community rummage sale, along with our other reoccurring events mentioned previously.
Needs
Discover Madison, Inc. has served the community by hosting music festivals, an annual fundraising event, A Night at the Museum, Amqui Station Farmers Market, World War II Remembrance Day and Living History Encampment, Dig-It - Rock, Gem Mineral event, and many other educational activities and special events. The Amqui Station and Visitors Center continues to develop plans for facility renewal and programming expansion for educational, family friendly and cultural community events. In order to complete our project, Discover Madison, Inc. needs $155,000 in donations/sponsorships/grants to develop and sustain the following:To fund the necessary build-out materials, artifacts/collections care, and archiving supplies needed to document and share permanent exhibits and programming. Funds needed: $25,000To hire professional staff to support the Board of Directors with development/marketing and facility maintenance. Funds needed: $95,000To recruit volunteers to assist with all facets of museum operations, activities, and events; for funding to develop and implement educational programs that meet the needs of local schools, scout groups, families, young adults, adults, and seniors. Funds needed: $35,000Additional funds are needed for building repair and upkeep, including but not limited to, replacing decaying wood, painting the exterior of the building, and painting new lines in the parking lot. Our organization is also needing signage to post on major roadways nearby, as well as, in front our facility to direct the community to our location.
CEO Statement
Discover Madison, Inc. - Amqui Station and Visitors Center is a unique and historic resource, not only for Madison, but for the greater Nashville-Davidson County area. We seek to educate, entertain, and inspire museum visitors and work to establish Amqui Station as a destination for visitors from the Madison community, Middle Tennessee, and beyond. We are fortunate to say that former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, former Senator Joe Haynes, Representatives Gary Moore and Mike Turner, the Metro Council, TDOT, Metro Public Works, and many Madison community citizens supported our endeavors from the beginning. In 2013, DMI - Amqui Station and Visitors Center was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Metro Historical Commission's 2013 Preservation Awards and in 2016, the Tennessee Association of Museums presented DMI with an award of excellence for the World War II educational program. In pursuit of the mission and vision we aspire to reach, DMI - Amqui Station focuses its energies and resources on strengthening its financial sustainability, increasing the engagement with the community, expanding programs, and building public awareness.
Board Chair Statement
Statement from the Board of Directors on Purpose and VisionIn 1979, the historic Amqui Station was saved from demolition through the leadership of country music icon Johnny Cash and moved to his home, in nearby Hendersonvile. After his death, it was returned to Madison and placed in its current location in the heart of the community. With the assistance of a grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Discover Madison Inc. was able to oversee the construction, maintenance, and operation of a visitor center and museum in the historic railroad station. We are excited about the construction of Station Boulevard (the extension/connector to Neelys Bend Road) as it will pass directly in front of Amqui Station and Visitor's Center and bring additional traffic and awareness of the Station. Discover Madison, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable and educational nonprofit corporation whose mission is to celebrate, educate, preserve, and promote the history and culture of Madison, Tennessee through the historic Amqui Station Museum and Visitors Center. We do this by working with community organizations and residents to create programs and activities that bring our community together, educate newcomers to the area on the history of Madison, and provide an exhibition and performance space for area artists of all types.Amqui Station is not a park, although there are beautiful grounds to be enjoyed by all. Amqui Station is not an event center, although all types of events are held at the facility. Amqui Station is a visitor and cultural center created to promote all that Madison has to offer, and to bring neighbors together to help our community thrive.As such, the Board of Directors of Discover Madison Inc. is committed to our work of creating a place for all the residents of Madison, Tennessee to celebrate our heritage and to experience the amazing gifts of our community. This mission is consistent with the terms of our TDOT grant, and represents a unique function as all of us engage in the work of bringing Madison into a new and vibrant future.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Museums |
| Secondary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Community & Neighborhood Development |
| Tertiary Category: | Recreation & Sports - |
Areas Served
Discover Madison, Inc. - Amqui Station and Visitors Center benefits the community of Madison, Tennessee, which encompasses the 37115 zip code, as well as surrounding areas of Davidson County and Middle Tennessee. The interest that the historic Amqui Station and Visitors Center generates helps to increase awareness of the Madison community, creates interest within our residential, civic, and business communities, as well as, serves as a gathering place for community events, educational programming, and a celebration of music, arts, and heritage.
| TN - Davidson |
