Entry No. 22 — the Memphis file — filed under: oddities
National Bird Dog Museum
A 30,000-square-foot shrine to hunting dogs about an hour east of Memphis, centered on a Wildlife Heritage Center room of unnervingly lifelike taxidermy — including Count Noble, a pointer who died in 1890 and is still mounted mid-point, plus an outdoor 'Walk of Champions' of statues honoring famous field-trial dogs and a display case of their owners' hats.
The story
Drive 50 miles east of Memphis down Highway 57 until the suburban strip malls give way to quiet timber, and you will hit Grand Junction. Outside the National Bird Dog Museum, bronze dog statues line a manicured 'Walk of Champions.' Inside lies a 30,000-square-foot sanctuary built with absolute, unironic devotion to field trials and hunting dogs—a tradition rooted in the region since the first public field trials were held near Memphis in 1874.
The centerpiece of the place isn't a plaque or a trophy; it is Count Noble. Noble was a pointer who died in 1890 and was promptly preserved, mid-point, in a glass case where he has stood vigilant for well over a century. He shares the floor with the Field Trial, Sporting Dog, and Retriever Halls of Fame, where framed dog portraits line the corridors alongside a display case filled exclusively with the actual, sweat-stained hunting hats of legendary handlers.
Deep in the back, the Wildlife Heritage Center wing opens into a room filled with uncanny taxidermy dioramas, while the adjoining memorial library stores century-old stud books that trace canine genealogies back to the late 1800s. It is less of a traditional museum and more of a quiet, hyper-specific vault dedicated to the culture of man’s working companions.
What it's like
The museum is sprawling and often empty, giving you room to wander through the cavernous display rooms in near silence. Admission is strictly by donation, so drop cash into the box at the entrance and start with the taxidermy wing before tracking down Count Noble's glass case. Be sure to call ahead or verify their schedule before taking the one-hour trek from Memphis, as small-town museum hours can shift without much warning.
The move: Drive out past the Mississippi state line for an afternoon among the Field Trial, Sporting Dog, and Retriever Halls of Fame, then wander the taxidermy wing and the memorial library of century-old stud books before heading back — admission is by donation.
- 📍 Grand Junction, TN
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 505 TN-57, Grand Junction, TN 38039
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Telescope Mentoring Nights at Hinton Park — On your way west back toward Memphis along Hwy 57, stop off in Collierville to swap preserved bird dogs for late-night amateur astronomy.
- Crystal Shrine Grotto — Pair one obsessive mid-century passion project with another by heading into East Memphis to walk through Dionicio Rodriguez's hand-carved concrete cave.
- Asian Night Market — Memphis Agricenter — Transition from a quiet rural day trip in Grand Junction straight to an evening of bustling street food stalls on the eastern edge of Memphis.
Good to know
How much does admission cost?
Entry is by donation, though cash contributions are encouraged to support the facility.
How far is the museum from Memphis?
It is located in Grand Junction, Tennessee, approximately 50 miles (about an hour's drive) east of Memphis along Highway 57.
Who is Count Noble?
Count Noble was a famous pointer who died in 1890. His taxidermied mount is displayed mid-point inside a glass case at the museum.
What exhibits are inside?
The 30,000-square-foot museum includes the Field Trial, Sporting Dog, and Retriever Halls of Fame, a taxidermy wing in the Wildlife Heritage Center, an outdoor Walk of Champions, a handler hat display, and an extensive dog sports memorial library.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: birddogfoundation.com · Roadside America · gypsyjournalrv.com · esaa.com
last checked: 2026-07-20