A display recognizing current World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse Master of Jazz is one of many at the Tennessee Walking Horse Museum in Lynchburg. (TWHNC photo) [Click to enlarge]

The Tennessee Walking Horse Museum in Lynchburg posted strong attendance numbers for 2007, with 12,180 visitors stopping by.

A joint venture of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors Association and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, the museum is open year round and chronicles the history of the breed and its world championship show.

"Averaging over 1,000 visitors per month is very exciting," said TWHNC Director of Public and Media Relations Chip Walters in a news release. "People from all over the country want to learn about this wonderful animal while others have a chance to re-live great memories through the different exhibits."

Miss Mary Bobo's, a well-known Lynchburg restaurant owned by the Jack Daniel Distillery, returned to its downtown location early in 2007 after spending a year at the distillery's visitors center due to renovations. The re-opening of Miss Mary Bobo's, with expanded seating capacity, may have helped increase downtown traffic, benefitting all of the downtown merchants as well as the museum.

Exhibits at the walking horse museum include static displays chronicling the history of the breed, the care and maintenance of the animal, past World Grand Champions, the history of The Celebration, as well as tributes to a featured trainer and breeder. There are also three different video displays that feature various subjects. The newest display honors 2007 World Grand Champion Master of Jazz.

The museum was originally opened inside Calsonic Arena on the Celebration grounds but later moved to Lynchburg to take advantage of the town's tourist traffic.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The museum is closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m. There is no charge for admission. The museum is located on the square in downtown Lynchburg.