Bush’s Baked Beans Museum – A Tasty History

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The Bush’s Baked Beans Museum and Visitor Center is a tasty trip down memory lane. There, visitors learn the history of America’s most iconic baked bean brand. Did you know there was such a museum?  You’ll learn about the history of the family, along with interesting facts such as the family business actually starting with tomatoes! It’s a fun little stop if you’re vacationing in the Pigeon Forge area or traveling up I-40.

Located a quick drive northeast of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll find the Bush’s Baked Beans Museum and visitor center. It’s a fitting spot for it because that’s where these famous beans took their humble first steps. 

Visiting Bush’s Baked Beans Museum and Visitor Center

This fun little museum chronicles the history of the Bush family, their beginnings, and their eventual rise to baked beans royalty.  This is a rural community and one reason for the cannery to open was to keep jobs in the area for locals and his own family.

The modest museum has a wonderfully intimate, down-home atmosphere, and through various exhibits and a video tour of the factory, visitors can learn about the business’s humble beginnings as a tomato cannery in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, their expansion into canned beans in the 60s, and, through their delicious secret family recipe – still closely guarded to this day – their ascension to being the most popular canned bean brand in the country. No tours of the factory are allowed.

You will learn more about beans and Bush’s than you had ever thought about:  where the beans are grown, interactive components fun for all ages, a history of Duke and Jay plus a fun thing – how much do you weigh in beans.  

The museum is free and allows ADA service animals. It’s also wheelchair accessible, making it a welcoming environment for everyone in the family, regardless of their physical needs.  

A Gift Shop and Cafe

In addition to the museum, there’s also a wonderful general store full of fantastic souvenirs and foods and an on-site restaurant with some of the best Southern cooking anywhere in the state.

Of course, beans are heavily featured!  One thing I noticed at the general store was the reasonable prices of the items for sale.  Many times a gift shop is known to be overpriced, but this one was a great place to shop for holiday items, gifts, general home décor, and of course – Beans.  They are priced also in line with local grocery stores.  It’s a great place to grab some new flavors.

Visitors to the cafe even get a complimentary sample of “the bean of the day” prior to their meal.  We had one of their “grillin beans” of Hot Honey, which I wasn’t a fan of because they were a bit spicy for me, but Don liked them.  I picked up a can for home while there.

The other was a no sugar added baked bean which I couldn’t tell the difference in it and the regular baked beans.

You can request a sample of almost any food on the menu, which I tried the pimento cheese after recommendations from our server.  It was a great suggestion and I could have made a meal on it alone.

 

Our dinners consisted of the BBQ plate and catfish, both delicious and more than enough food for one meal.

Of course we had to try one of the more unusual desserts, Pinto Bean Pie.  But we did get the chocolate version.  I would have never guessed it contained pinto beans.  Rumor is this recipe came from a church member back in the 20’s.

We were asked if we wanted it warmed and with ice cream – of course, is there any other way.

Although he’s not there all the time, visitors should also keep an eye out for Duke, Bush’s famously adorable Golden Retriever mascot. he occasionally stops in for a meet and great. Watch the Bush’s Baked Beans Facebook page to get info on when he’ll be popping in. 

The Bush’s Homestead

The original home is on the property but not normally open to the public with the exception of a few days in December when it’s decorated for Christmas.

It is occasionally used for out of town business associates or special guests.

If you’re traveling to or through the area, you’ll be pleased to know that the Bush’s grounds have designated RV and tour bus parking at the far end of the parking area, so road-trippers won’t have to scramble to find suitable parking. 

Visit the Bush’s Baked Beans Museum 

If you’re traveling to or through Eastern Tennessee, be sure to make a stop at the Bush’s Baked Beans Museum a priority on your list. With a ton of interesting information about the company, a general store full of food, kitchenware, and other items, and a cafe with some of the best food in the area, this is a great stop for families. 

Check out their WEBSITE and FACEBOOK for important dates and information including dates when Duke will make an appearance, Christmas House openings, and lots of RECIPES – of course – featuring many of their popular beans.

 

A few more photos for your enjoyment.

We love to visit museums and always try to find interesting ones.  Here’s a few of our favorites.

Andy Warhol Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky

International Towing Museum right here in Chattanooga

Morse Museum full of Tiffany Art in Winter Park, Florida

 

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The Bush’s Baked Beans museum and visitor center is a tasty trip down memory lane. There, visitors learn the history of America’s most iconic baked bean brand. You’ll learn about this history of the family, along with interesting facts such as the family business actually starting with tomatoes! It’s a fun little stop if you’re vacationing in the Pigeon Forge area. 

About Bush’s Baked Beans Museum

Located a quick drive northeast of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll find the Bush’s Baked Beans museum and visitor center. It’s a fitting spot for it because that’s where these famous beans took their humble first steps. 

This fun little museum chronicles the history of the Bush family, their beginnings, and their eventually rise to baked beans royalty. The modest museum has a wonderfully intimate, down-home atmosphere, and through various exhibits and a video tour of the factory, visitors can learn about the business’s humble beginnings as a tomato cannery in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, their expansion into canned beans in the 60s, and, through their delicious secret family recipe – still closely guarded to this day – their ascension to being the most popular canned bean brand in the country. 

The museum is free and allows ADA service animals. It’s also wheelchair accessible, making it a welcoming environment for everyone in the family, regardless of their physical needs. In addition to the museum, there’s also a wonderful general store full of fantastic souvenirs and foods and an on-site restaurant with some of the best Southern cooking anywhere in the state. Of course, beans are heavily featured! Visitors to the cafe even get a complimentary sample of “the bean of the day” prior to their meal. 

Although he’s not there all the time, visitors should also keep an eye out for Duke, Bush’s famously adorable Golden Retriever mascot. he occasionally stops in for a meet and great. Watch the Bush’s Baked Beans Facebook page to get info on when he’ll be popping in. 

If you’re traveling to or through the area, you’ll be pleased to know that the Bush’s grounds have designated RV and tour bus parking at the far end of the parking area, so road-trippers won’t have to scramble to find suitable parking. 

Visit the Bush’s Baked Beans Museum 

If you’re traveling to or through Eastern Tennessee, be sure to make a stop at the Bush’s Baked Beans museum a priority on your list. With a ton of interesting information about the company, a general store full of food, kitchenware, and other items, and a cafe with some of the best food in the area, this is a great stop for families. 

 

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