I have only been inside once or twice since Ive moved back to Chattanooga in 89. I found it to be quite interesting. one thing that I appreciate other than the large parking area is the fact that they allow John rector and the people at Union Gospel Mission to serve Thanksgiving and Christmas meals each year. Theyve done this now for about 10 years. The place gives a very iinteresting history lesson and I recommend people visit when they can.

Tonight I attended the Bessi Smith Art Contest Winners Reception. What a wonderfully received community event! The local art and history are something to behold. The center is a beacon of light in our city! I have never been to the performing arts stage, and so I look forward to many more visits and exploring.

I grew up in Chattanooga... I traveled from Atlanta to participate in the big 9 celebration... I really did enjoy being there among people that I went to church, school, neighborhoods... I think it could be a great celebration and so many good memories were stirred up... growing up was very nice I think a lot of the families that we grew up with their parents had so much pride and they were very hard to give their children all they need it... please keep it going and make it better each year...

Truly enjoyed a startup competition here during start up week. Wonderful well designed venue!

The kids and I enjoyed not only learning about the great Bessie Smith but also local legends. They enjoyed seeing all of the artifacts as well.

They are having a concert series every Thursay. Starting at 6 running thru mid October.

It is a AWESOME PLACE TO HAVE A VENUE AND A HUGE PLACE TO ENJOY YOURSELF. ALOT OF HISTORICAL THINGS THAT I ENJOYED ALSO I LOVED HOW CHATTANOOGA REMEMBERS AND WILL ALWAYS REMIND US WHO MRS. BESSIE SMITH CULTURE WAS. I WOULD HAVE A EVENT HERE WHICH IT WILL ALWAYS REMIND ME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND RECOGNITION THAT THIS AWESOME LADY HAS DONE AND HOW SHE HAS HELPED AND GAVE BACK TO ALL PEOPLE. T . K . AWESOME CITY OF CHATTANOOGA, TN

Homeless people stay in front of there, and sleep.

We attended a catered dinner for Sister Cities of Chattanooga. The venue is great for this and Im grateful that the city offered its use for our event.Its a first-class facility and has good exhibits, both permanent and touring. If somethings going on there, itll be good. If you just stop in sometime, no guarantees, but youll probably be glad you did.

I had a great time today. Everyone was so helpful and nice. It was a great day to come together as one.

Nice venue for a reception. Good space, but hot, hot, hot! Felt cool walking in, but the A/C could clearly not keep up with the body heat of around 100 (or fewer).

Awesome place to visit. You can rent out space for a event

We were there for an event call Granfondo. Ways Danny were fantastic and really helpful and everything we did the grounds for Immaculate and bathrooms were very clean a lot of history in this town often learn about it

The museum was a great experience for me and my children! We explored at our own pace and didnt feel like the kids couldnt be kids here. The gift shop is a great source for gifts crafted by local and regional artists of color (jewelry, art, etc.)

This is a beautiful event place. The location in center of downtown Chatanooga makes it a must for your next reception.

Went to Nowruz celebration with friends! The Persian food was amazing for this event. The music was jamming and everyone had a good time. It was fun for families and everyone jumped up to dance. Ill be back next year.

Nice, but they should turn the air down so it wouldnt be so hot for people renting out the space.

Beautiful venue for events. Convenient to downtown.

This is a great place to learn about Chattanoogas history.

Great venue for so many things, quirky decor, nice people. Music, comedy, poetry, movies......

First night of the Big Nine Roots Festival... awesome!

Wonderfully educational. Helpful staff. Thank you for all you do for Hamilton County.

I volunteered for the Root Festival. It was great to meet the wonderful people in Chattanooga.

I was lucky enough to visit on a free admission day with a festival going on outside. The museum has very interesting exhibits and is well worth a visit.

Great small museum with a good collection of jazz and civil rights related collection.

The concert on the lawn was wonderful! Very large crowd.

GREAT PLACE TO HAVE PARTY AN HISTORY

Danny Toney is the best!

From the outside it looked great. I was at the grateful dinner served to the public on mlk blvd. It was really crowded so many hungry people. I wonder how many will not have any loved ones for the holidays, a gathering like the one in front of Bessi Smith Cultural Center gives hope. The food was just incredible and the volunteers were amazing.

They really are working hard to bring a diverse assortment of writers, artist, and other entertainers in.

The hours are ideal for a post work rinse and walk to hear quality musicians, engage with audience, and discover niches and niceties most wouldnt expect within a couple block radius.

Great musical artist, great food vendors, something for everyone.

I had a great time enjoy the music and the fellowship

Big 9 festival was NICE & PLEASANT!

Beautiful center, coordinator was the best!!

Nice place. The ballroom was a bit hot for the reception that I was there for but it is a nice, clean place for an event. Well maintained for its age.

Historic Museum and events center.

A perfect place for events, however. The two different sides can be somewhat confusing. Its really easy to end up in the wrong event. ( additional signage could make the diffetence).

We were at a wedding and everything was beautiful!! didnt need many decorations the Hall was nice with a little added decor

Yes Bessie Smith Cultural is were we had the Lees Antoine (Tony) and Kelley Birthday Dinner/ Party !

Beautiful venue, rich with history... and all-inclusive... no nickel and diming you for every little thing!

Nice facility. Used for cycling staging area

ThAnks to Jason and tosha that thang was lit congratulations on your wedding

Awesome venue to have different events great location in Chattanooga, very easy to find and get to.Thank u Chatt for havin me as your special Guest model yesterday, I humbley appreciate all the Love that was shown everyone was very nice, and the show was awesome everyone did an outstanding job amen

It is a Great place to take your family for an experience.

Always a great place to visit, be it educational, Bessie Smith info, programs or parties. Love it!

Great music and lots of friends.

Great place for wedding. VERY nice

Awesome place to go and visit.

Great center and awesome reveal on the wall that was completed on the AT&T Building at 300 East M.L. King Boulevard in Chattanooga. To know the background and the stories behind each scene is phenomenal. Artist Meg Saligman did an outstanding job in preserving history and heritage while creating a landmark in downtown Chattanooga.

Well maintained place. Right in the downtown area. Parking is limited, which is normal in the downtown area, but could find the street parking.

Didnt get to tour the entire place due to sicknesses in their family. But what we did see was absolutely AWESOME! Looking forward to making another trip.

Its a beautiful place. Great for events.

Nice clean environment great place for to hold events

Although the AARP tax helpers were so kind and polite and spent time explaining things, so it was very easy to understand!!! They allare SUPER GREAT!!MANY THANKS!!!!

Great museum to learn about African American history and culture. Also great forhosting events after hours. Staff is friendly and informative.

It was good better planned

I enjoyed the music, atmosphere, and people.

Nice place to hold banquets or get togethers

Interesting place was there last week. They could be a little more in inviting

A friend of mine had a wedding there and the place was so beautiful and perfect for small wedding.

A true did you know kind of place. Music history comes alive....

Love them so much

Awesome time, great free concerts,met lots of really kind people

Very nice atmosphere!

Very nice venue. Lots of room and a great staff.

Ive only been here for social type events. Nice setting for these. Feel bad that Ive not gone back to actually enjoy the museum (bucket list for 2018)

This cultural center has much to offer. Perceptions may vary based on how much of it you see on a visit. But it is a facility full of things to enjoy.There is the museum, which is pretty small. But very educational. Full of material from Black American history, African statues and a nice video about African history.The main lobby area, has a gift shop, plus an area devoted to Bessie Smith. The local Blues legend. And also a display of a piano from her performances.After going into the main entrance, if you turn left, there is a concert room. Where various artists go to perform. It is a full sized room, like the size of many jazz clubs.Another feature of the cultural center. Which many never see. Is the very large banquet hall, that is a level under the main part of the cultural center. The banquet hall, can be reserved/rented for very large gatherings. Such as wedding receptions.In total, this cultural center offers a lot for the community. It should not be judged solely on its small museum.

Good local Afro-American museum. The Bessie Smith part, not somuch. Better information on Roland Hayes. It probably should be renamed.

They have a free concert every Thursday sponsored by Jazzanooga (nonprofit), it was great.

The Amp Leavitt Series concert on the lawn was great.

Awesome place to go

We will be having our Pastors Anniversary Banquet there on Friday.

Loved it. Great historical place!

Beautiful venue. Great vibe!

Great venue for special occasions. The history museum is also very nice.

Attended a morning civic event. Very nice building and will be returning to attend the museum

We had our Annual banquet at The Bessie. The facility and staff made our event perfect.

Very nice place to have any catering or benefits

The Bessie Smith Center brings the Cultural Heritage of Chattanooga to us in so many ways. Art, Storytelling, and History.

Everything was perfect

This place is full of local history

Very entertaining!

Great place

Very nice event hall area

The heart of the untold story of Chattanooga

Fully occupide of history

Great space for personal and professional events.

The space is nice & There are plenty of parking places!

Love the ambiance

Very informative. Full of black music culture

Its beautiful inside lots of space for any event

A great place to have a gathering

Great place for private parties. Plenty of parking.

Great decor, spacious large for different usage.

It was lovely

Good partys on the weekends

One of the best entertainment, and cultural places in town.

Great location for a affordable event.

Beautiful wedding