Witness a remarkable iridescent product of nature as it emerges from the indigenous Washboard mussel. Tennessee’s Official State Gem – the freshwater pearl – is rarely found naturally from these living animals, but grown at the only freshwater pearl-culturing farm operation in the North American continent. The organic gem stone-culturing operation is nestled in the pristine embayment of Birdsong Creek – just off the scenic Tennessee River’s beautiful Kentucky Lake – in Camden, West Tennessee, 9 miles north of Interstate 40 at Exit 133/Birdsong Exit. The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm, Tour and Jewelry Showroom is located at Birdsong Resort and Marina.
Explore one of eight pilot farm locations originally founded by John R. Latendresse (1925-2000) in 1979. All productivity measures eventually narrowed to this one location in Birdsong Creek. John and his wife Chessie, had attempted for many years to adapt the Japanese technique to our native waters, and species of mussels. 1984 was the first year a productive harvest was turned.
Discover North America’s only freshwater pearl-culturing facility – the official historical site of pearl culturing for the State of Tennessee (enacted 2004), growing the official State of Tennessee gem (enacted 1979) – the freshwater pearl.
Various experience opportunities to choose from, including “walk-in’s,” tour bus “tweeners,” our 3-5 hour guided “full” tour, a 1-2 hour “mini” tour, a range of school-age children’s tours, even a bus driver’s special “Drop n’ Shop.”
Guided tours require advance reservations and a group of fifteen or more to book dates. Individuals or small groups may join pre-existing bookings.
“Walk-in” visitors may enjoy the brief video presentation, visit the museum, farm and shop from the freshwater pearl jewelry showroom during standard business hours, year around. Motorcoaches please call ahead.
GUIDED TOUR PACKAGES
All “full” tours require advance reservations and 15 or more persons to “book” a date. Singles and small groups may add on to other existing booked tours, or opt for a slightly lesser experience to accommodate a specific time line. Call Bob at 731-584-7880 for pricing
TOUR PACKAGES
“School-Age Children’s” Tour
Call Bob at 731-584-7880 for pricing
School-age children can come and learn about the process of culturing pearls. With several packages to choose from, there is sure to be an experience they will learn from.
· 1 hour orientation and video presentation in the museum.
· 1 hour orientation and video presentation in the museum, also includes a box-style lunch.
· 1 hour orientation and video presentation in the museum. Children will see a mollusk being “shucked” to reveal a pearl. 8″x10″ group photo will be included as a souvenir.
*Teacher Packets available on request.
“Tour Bus Tweener” or Seniors Tour
Call Bob at 731-584-7880 for pricing
Duration: 1 hour
Guided presentation with synopsis of history and the pearl-culturing process, enjoy the museum, enjoy a short video presentation, visit the farm, and shop from the freshwater pearl jewelry showroom. Participants will receive an 8″x10″ photo as a souvenir of the day!
“Drop N’ Shop” Tour : Bus Driver’s Special
No charge per person, call ahead 731-584-7880
Duration: At Your Leisure
Bus drivers take advantage of sanitary dump station to empty holding tank while tourists participate in a brief walk-in presentation. Self-guided visit to the farm, enjoy the museum, and shop from the freshwater pearl jewelry showroom.
Call ahead from Memphis or Nashville.
THE FULL TOUR
Call Bob at 731-584-7880 for pricing
Duration: 3-5 hours
Orientation – addresses the history of freshwater pearls of the world; the history of the only freshwater pearl-culturing operation in the North American continent’s founder – John Latendressee (1925-2000); an overview of the pearl-culturing process explains incidents participants will see throughout the tour.
Visit with a local diver – meet the diver in his full l wet suit hauling his “catch of the day.” Participants see the different species of mussels found in the Tennessee River, and enjoy a brief biology lesson on how the mussel fits into the aquaculture system of the area waters.
Souvenir Shopping – Shop from our extensive freshwater pearl jewelry showroom with items from all over the world. Choose one of our freshwater pearls, or enjoy the variety of color and other shapes available from other countries.
Tennessee River Folk Life Museum (suggested optional add on based on itinerary time allowance) – Trek to Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park’s Tennessee Folk Life Museum – home of the historical Pilot Knob.
The museum houses an antique brail boat (used for musseling prior to the invention of the electric motor), artifacts from the pearl button factories that once lined the river banks, pearling and diving industry exhibits, and many Civil War items of interest.
* Prices DO NOT include applicable sales tax.
Request a free