United States
Tennessee (TN)
Johnson City
Things to Do in Johnson City
Museum of Ancient Brick

Museum of Ancient Brick, Johnson City: Hours, Address, Museum of Ancient Brick Reviews: 4.5/5

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Museum of Ancient Brick

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Museum of Ancient Brick
4.5
7
#15 of 24 things to do in Johnson City
History Museums
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
7 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
nina z
2 contributions
Museum of ancient brick
Feb 2019 • Couples
this is located in the General Shale building. there is no sign directing you to the museum but if you go in the front door of the general shale building it is right there. The people were very knowledgeable. a small space but really interesting.
One of the employees offered to show us the brick murals and I was so very impressed.
Low key and a delightful surprise to find this slice of history.
Written February 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Steven B
Machu Picchu, Peru65 contributions
True pieces of history
Sep 2018 • Couples
They have bricks from all over the world here. One of them is probably one of the earliest ever produced by man. Thins museum give a different perspective on the lowly brick. How about heated walls?
Written September 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jinnyamabala
jinnyamabala12 contributions
12,000 year old bricks! If you're at all religious or enjoy history, GO SEE THIS
Sep 2018 • Family
Some reviewers have said it's not much. NOT TRUE. Yes, it is housed in three large glass cases, but there are probably 50 bricks. Even if there were but 10, you would want to see it. It's all a matter of what you know, I guess. For instance, there are bricks signed by Nebudchanezzer, Amenothep, Nimrod and other rulers. There are bricks from Ur, Jericho, Ephesus. More recently, you'll find a brick from a building ordered destroyed by Henry the 8th. Bricks from Colonial Williamsburg, the Mayflower, etc. There are so many I can't name them all. The nitty gritty in case you're not up on Biblical geography or time periods: you'll see bricks from buildings that would have been seen or touched by Daniel, Joshua, Abraham, Nimrod, Nebudchanezzer, The Apostles, Jesus, Greek Philosophers, Pharaohs and more.
Written September 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Josh C
Kingsport, TN114 contributions
Neat, Free exhibit for all ages
Jul 2016 • Family
General Shale has placed a neat feature to their corporate office. It's not a large museum but it's free. It's free and worth the 10 minutes to go check it out. The corporate building is a architecture masterpiece on its own.
Written July 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marian F
Watertown, SD101 contributions
Bricks From Around the World
May 2016 • Family
When you enter the General Shale building there are an interesting history display of bricks from all over the world! A quick tour for streching your legs!
Written June 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Georgiasouthcarolina
Canton, GA8 contributions
Unusual museum of ancient bricks
Jul 2015 • Friends
The museum is in the lobby of General Shale headquarters. It's a fabulous collection of ancient bricks from all over the world. Nice surprises in this small exhibit.
Written November 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Daryl S
Johnson City11 contributions
Mildly interesting short trip
Dec 2012 • Solo
I had heard a friend make jokes about this place for years, but I think it was actually March of 2012 or 2011 when I finally went. It's housed in the lobby of the headquarters building for General Shale Brick. As the name implies, it's a simply a display of some very old bricks. Some are even a few thousand years old from the Middle East. Some came from colonial-era US. Each brick has a placard. Looking at each brick and completely reading the accompanying description took all of 20 minutes.

I think it would have been more interesting if they had added a display (even a simple diagram) on how these bricks were made. Brick making technology has changed somewhat over the millennia; surely there's someone who could produce displays on that.

On the plus side, General Shale is a major sponsor of an excellent ancient history museum just up the roan in Gray.
Written November 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Ancient Brick
Museum of Ancient Brick is open:
  • Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM