Museums

Once the heart of commerce in Paducah, the 1905 Market House has been reborn as an innovative cultural complex housing an art gallery, community theatre, and the William Clark Market House Museum. Inside the 4,000-square-foot museum space is a vast display of Paducah history, including much of the interior of the 1877 List Drug Store. The ornate gingerbread woodwork of the original store was donated to the museum and serves as its centerpiece. Step back in time in the Civil War room where you can see furniture used by Ulysses S. Grant, a quilt made by Mrs. Robert E. Lee, and an 1858 flag once hidden in a bed to protect it from capture.

Known locally as the Petter Building, the two-story brick structure housing Paducah's River Discovery Center was built circa 1843 for the newly-formed Branch Bank of Louisville. The museum's interactive, water-filled exhibits include a working model of a lock and dam. A dredging exhibit shows how the sediment of river bottoms is moved in order to improve navigational channels. The river habitats exhibit displays the various fish populations and aquatic species found in the local rivers. The museum gift shop features a large selection of river books, educational toys and games, jewelry, clothing and nautical items.

Basic Listings

Hotel Metropolitan

• 724 Oscar Cross Dr.
  Paducah, KY 42001
• Phone: (270) 443-7918
• Region: Upper Town
• Map It ()

Save America's Treasures project, this 1908 hotel housed famous African-American entertainers and sports figures including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Chick Webb's orchestra, B.B.… more

• Details

Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum

• 631 Kentucky Avenue
  Paducah, KY 42001
• Phone: (270) 575-5477
• Region: Historic Downtown
• Map It ()

1852 Greek Revival home owned by Sons of Confederate Veterans was once the residence of Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, CSA. Exhibits highlight Western Kentucky's role in the War Between the States. Tues.-Sat.,… more

• Details

Paducah Railroad Museum & Gift Shop

• 200 Washington Street
  Paducah, KY 42001
• Phone: (270) 442-4032
• Region: Historic Downtown
• Send Email
• Map It ()

A project of the Paducah Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society showcases equipment and memorabilia from the romantic past of America's railroads. Groups are encouraged to call for tours.… more

• Details

River Discovery Center

• 117 S. Water St.
  Paducah, KY 42001
• Phone: (270) 575-9958
• Region: Historic Downtown
• Send Email
• Map It ()

State of the art, interactive exhibits, including a flood and water show and 15-minute film, tell the story of the four rivers region. New pilothouse simulator allows users to pilot a towboat,… more

• Details

William Clark Market House Museum

• 121 S. 2nd St. (1905 Historic Market House)
  Paducah, KY 42001
• Phone: (270) 443-7759
• Region: Historic Downtown
• Map It ()

Rotating exhibits tell the story of a town that has survived tremendous challenges, including the Battle of Paducah and the 1937 flood. The meticulously reconstructed century-old interior of the List… more

• Details