The National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis is a museum that houses one of the largest collections of contemporary metalwork compiled today, and is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of historical metalwork. With an estimated 3000 items on permanent display, the NOMM also leases pieces that travel as a part of other exhibitions and has full time blacksmiths on hand that not only create new, delicately wrought works of art, but also offer classes on blacksmithing and casting.
Resting on 3.2 acres, the site is constituted of four buildings, which once served as a Marine hospital in the late 1800’s and was the site of an old Civil War hospital. The site included a nurse’s quarters, a doctor’s quarters, soldiers’ quarters, and the hospital itself. The basement of the doctor’s quarters was converted into a morgue, and it was at this time that a “body chute” was created via a ramp that connected the upstairs with the basement so the transition of dead bodies from one level to the other could be done with ease.
In was in 1979 that renovations began to turn the dilapidated buildings into the museum it is today, and it was the inmates that were “on loan” from various prisons in the area that were assisting in said renovations that first began to notice the strange occurrences that even the blacksmiths today have witnessed. During broad daylight the workers would flee from the basement, refusing to go back. Although the building that was used as the actual hospital is today vacant, the other three buildings were all brought up to code to house the metal art works.
Part of the renovations included turning the “body chute” into stairs, which are still in use today. This area is said to be one of the most haunted, and has been the hub of many ghost investigations by some of the finest ghost teams from both near and far, including Paranormal, Inc., which captured some remarkable EVP’s (the clearest coming from the library—formerly the doctor’s quarters) during their investigation.
Glimpses of old Marines and disembodied voices, along with an eerie and intense feeling of being watched are said to be the most common of all experiences.
The Ornamental Metal Museum is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 5p.m., and noon to 5p.m. on Sunday.
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