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    Rhea County Courthouse

    51 Reviews
    #1 of 3 things to do in Dayton
    Sights & Landmarks, Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks
    375 Church St, Dayton, TN 37321-1352
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    Review Highlights
    “New Museum Very Nice”

    We have visited several times and always enjoy walking through the courthouse. We were surprised... read more

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Lisa B
    ,
    Oak Ridge, Tennessee
    “Interesting.”

    We were free to walk through the courthouse, built in 1891. The woodwork is beautiful, and the... read more

    Reviewed 22 December 2017
    shooiec
    ,
    Michigan
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    4.051 reviews
    • Excellent31%
    • Very good55%
    • Average13%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible0%
    Travelers talk about
    “court room”(4 reviews)
    “local history”(4 reviews)
    “donations are accepted”(2 reviews)
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    375 Church St, Dayton, TN 37321-1352
    Website
    +1 423-775-7841
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    Reviews (51)
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    All reviewscourt roomlocal historydonations are acceptedmonkey trialclarence darrowsmall museumwell worth the visitactual courtroomscopebibledetailinginformationplaysessionscienceartifactstn
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    1 - 10 of 51 reviews
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    New Museum Very Nice

    We have visited several times and always enjoy walking through the courthouse. We were surprised this time with the new museum. We had Canadian guests with us who were very interested in the history of the area so it was perfect timing. Now all that...More

    Thank Lisa B
    Reviewed 18 May 2018 via mobile
    Sneak peek before grand re opening June 11 2018

    I was invited to see the soft opening of the newly updated Scopes museum. I am a board member of Main Street Dayton, TN. if you heard of the monkey trial in TN. in 1925 this is the same courthouse. the courtroom it was held...More

    Thank Richard D
    Reviewed 22 December 2017
    Interesting.

    We were free to walk through the courthouse, built in 1891. The woodwork is beautiful, and the court room where the Scopes trial was held is pretty amazing. So much character compared with today's architecture. We went through the museum in the basement. There was...More

    Thank shooiec
    Reviewed 17 November 2017 via mobile
    Very interesting museum

    We stopped by to visit the Scope Monkey Trial Museum in the basement of the courthouse. 30 minutes would probably be a reasonable amount of time to allow for a visit. No charge but donations are accepted.

    Thank CLRD4TO
    Reviewed 22 August 2017 via mobile
    Opened on Eclipse Sunday

    We walked through the museum on Sunday morning. It was ostensibly closed, but they let us walk through as another party had arranged a special visit that morning. Riding their coat tails, we got to see the museum, which has a nice storyboard about the...More

    Thank Angus H
    Reviewed 23 July 2017
    Frontpage News a play

    We went to the play "Frontpage News" presented in the actual courtroom where the Scopes Monkey Trial took place. It was fantastic. Well written and well performed. This only happens during the Scopes Festival so get on the Cumberland County Playhouse email list to get...More

    Thank Kirk_Chandler
    Reviewed 18 July 2017
    An Incredible Time Capsule of the Most Important Trial in History

    We traveled to Dayton, Tennessee for the express purpose of visiting the Rhea County Courthouse where the Scopes "Monkey Trial" was conducted. The Courthouse bore a sign that said, "Read your Bible", just steps away from the newly unveiled statue of Clarence Darrow. The second...More

    3  Thank GDL919
    Reviewed 16 July 2017 via mobile
    Scopes Trial festival

    I truly enjoyed my visit to the famous and Beautiful Courthouse, so much history makes this tour really worth the drive...🤗😉

    Thank Thomlanna
    Reviewed 13 July 2017
    GREAT HISTORICAL PLACE TO VISIT

    great experience great history the most famous trial of the time 1925 great old courtroom and museum this trial changed the way that science was taught this trial was an attempt to discredit the Bible very quaint very small town well worth the travel for...More

    Thank Louis G
    Reviewed 11 July 2017
    If your in the Dayton area go, but don't drive 45 min out of your way to get there.

    We didn't see the actual courthouse it's still in use. There was no one there to kind of point us in the right direction so we may have missed something I don't know. We walked the first floor and the basement museum. Museum was ok,...More

    Thank caleb s
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    Chris H
    28 December 2015|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from journalmytrips | Reviewed this property |
    Bryan stayed at the F.R. Rogers home. He also died there on July 26, 1985. The site for this home is at the corner of Market and Georgia. The house that now stands there is not the original Rogers house. This information... More
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