New museum set to open in downtown Corbin during NIBROC

Above, a portion of the African exhibit that will be part of the Hubbard Museum, located on Kentucky Ave. in Corbin. It is set to open during next week’s NIBROC Festival.

Some say Chris Hubbard has a hobby.

He says it’s a lifestyle revolved around his interest in history and cultures.

A lifestyle of collecting artifacts from ancient civilizations. A lifestyle that he inherited from his parents at an early age.

"My dad was a big collector," Hubbard said. "Ever since I was a child I was around this stuff. I grew up on collecting. Then when I got older, I started collecting myself, bought out some other people’s collections and eventually built up my own."

Hubbard’s collection – what he likes to call a wide spectrum of historic and archeological artifacts/pieces of history – is now being put on display for all of Southeastern Kentucky in his soon to open museum.

The museum is located on KY Ave., in downtown Corbin, next door to Whitaker Bank. The grand opening is set for the Thursday, August 11 the opening week of NIBROC. The doors will be open from noon to 10 p.m.

The Hubbard Museum and Gift Shop offers patrons a vast array of possibilities. The building, which used to be home to WCTT Radio, Candy Bouquet and most recently Sally’s Attic, houses 10 different cultural and historical exhibits for guests.

The nature of the exhibits range from the cultures of the Amazon, African Americans and Egyptians and also features a Christian display as well as an early man and coal mining exhibit, which directly reflects the life of a coal miner from the southeast.

In the halls of the museum guests will become privy to artifacts of all shapes and sizes. Some of those include, pottery, weaponry, tools, ceremonial artifacts, shrunken heads, clothing and yes, believe it or not mummies.

"I don’t want people to think this is just tribal art or just about ancient cultures. It’s a wide spectrum of historic and archeological artifacts," Hubbard said. "This isn’t like anything people have seen before."

The museum, which also has an larger than life African animal exhibit, will also feature other aspects as well.

It will house a full service gift-shop where visitors can purchase jewelry, art, wood and stone carvings, baskets, pottery and quilts – all of which are made and produced by artisans around the Corbin are and Southeast Kentucky area. Patrons can also "purchase unique, one-of-a-kind curios from around the world," according to Hubbard. Also candy and toys will be for sale as well.

"My basket weaver lives right here in Corbin," Hubbard said. "And I’m selling quilts made from a woman who has won previous awards for her quilt making at NIBROC. All of this will help our local economy and boost the selling of handmade arts and crafts from local citizens."

The goal of Hubbard’s new museum is first and foremost to educate the visitors.

"Corbin and the rest of the Appalachia is unfortunately a poor area of the state," Hubbard said. "Most people around here do not get the opportunity to visit Washington, New York or Chicago to see these type of historical exhibits. Especially not at an affordable price."

Hubbard also is planning to work with area schools to host special informative visits based around the classes curriculum or lesson plan.

"I want these kids and these schools to be able to see and learn first hand about these cultures," Hubbard said.

The big draw for Hubbard, and what he says he can offer than most other museums cant is that his will be ever-changing.

"I plan to change things up every three to five months," Hubbard said. "I have enough stuff to do that and I want to keep people interested and gain repeat customers. Once you come here more than likely the next time you visit nothing will be the same.

Some of the future exhibits Hubbard said patrons can expect are ones indulging on the revolutionary and civil wars, the Appalachian lifestyle, food, currency and yes even monsters.

"Each month we’ll also have a signature exhibit that deals solely with that month," Hubbard said. "Like in October, around Halloween, I have an exhibit on monsters, zombies, werewolves and vampires. And for example, in March I can offer a full exhibit on Irish and Celtic heritage. The possibilities are endless."

Hubbard also plans to work in community outreach, where the museum works alongside local area churches to put on food, clothing and toy drives for those in need. Also in the future the museum will have charity raffles and auctions to help support local programs.

After the week of NIBROC, the Hubbard Museum and Gift Shop will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. The cost for adults over the age of 12 is $5.00. For kids from ages five to 11 $3.00 and kids under the age of four get in free.

The museum also offers a few free exhibits for patrons as well.

Hubbard is also accepting private group tours, which can be scheduled in advanced.

"The main thing we want to do is provide a entertaining, enlightening and cultural learning experience for everyone in this area," Hubbard said. "During NIBROC come on in and see us. It will be a good chance to get out of the heat."