This week the sign company began hanging The Elephant Sanctuary logo sign on the front of the building. At last, when people drive into town, they will be able to spot us on Main Street! Awnings are scheduled to go up next week—we are very excited!

We would like to say thank you to our supporters who alerted us that we had overlooked the change in our P.O. Box and contact phone number here on this site. Starting in the spring of 2009, the Sanctuary's Administrative staff was able to begin handling and processing Education Gallery donations on their own. Our sincere thanks to the members of the Elephant Sanctuary Friends Council for the countless hours they volunteered in helping to launch this capital campaign and organizing paver orders.

In 1997 the Sanctuary became one of the first institutions to pioneer distance-learning projects linking to classrooms all over the country, utilizing what was then considered the cutting edge in teleconferencing equipment. These non-invasive live “field trips” gave students a first-hand look at the Sanctuary and its elephants, a chance to learn more about them, and the opportunity to ask caregivers questions in real time. In 1999 the Ele-Cam went live on our website and for the first time our supporters were able to view from their home computers our elephants eating, sleeping and playing in their Tennessee habitat.

As we enter an era of multimedia technology that was once barely imaginable, we realize how wonderfully suited this approach continues to be for our mission of education and what an ideal time it is to expand the Sanctuary’s reach. It is our firm belief that elephants do not need to be placed on exhibit for people to learn about and understand the species. Non-invasive observation does not compromise an elephant’s space or freedom. As humans, it’s not until we have an opportunity to watch them exist like elephants in the wild, immersed in nature and interacting with their herd, do we begin to appreciate what elephants are truly like.

To help bring this technology home—quite literally—and to have a place where we can also present new educational exhibits, in 2007 The Elephant Sanctuary purchased two buildings side-by-side on Main Street in downtown Hohenwald, Tennessee. With your support these buildings have been completely renovated using sustainable practices that reflect the philosophy of the Sanctuary; they have new roofs, new geothermal heating and cooling systems, new interiors, and new front and rear facades. When The Elephant Sanctuary’s Education Gallery and Welcome Center opens its doors, it will be one of the first LEED certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in the area.

Building No. 1 is now ready for move-in. The Sanctuary’s administrative staff, which has outgrown the small house they were working from on Darbytown Road, has just moved into this space, along with its catalog merchandise department. We plan to have a welcome desk for visitors who come to town and want to know a little more about our organization and our plans for the downtown buildings. The offices on Darbytown Road are now the offices of the Directors.  The offices of caregiver staff who work closely with the elephants are located in their respective barns.

Building No. 2 (next door) will eventually contain the Education Gallery. This building has been finished to a “white box” stage awaiting interior build-outs. Our goal for this space includes a multi-media theater, a series of interactive educational exhibits about elephants, and a vast array of live monitors featuring additional habitat surveillance cameras via satellite. Visitors can peacefully follow the Sanctuary Girls on these monitors as they go about their daily lives as free elephants, grazing in the pastures, playing in the mud, splashing in the ponds and even chasing wild turkeys for sport! From our new education center, we will also develop more in-depth distance-learning projects with schools, clubs and organizations across the country.

Virtual visits will provide an opportunity for students to hear our elephants’ own stories first hand and to learn about the many issues facing all elephants worldwide.

We continue to raise funds for the final planning efforts and completion of the Education Gallery, with major exhibit sponsorships, donations and walkway pavers still available.

The City of Hohenwald has received a grant to transform the adjacent shared public parking area into an example of a sustainably-designed parking lot and to build its own City Welcome Center and Chamber of Commerce offices next door. When their final parking lot, landscaping and installation of geothermal wells are complete, we will be able to put the finishing touches on our own entrances and install the brick walkway pavers our supporters have so graciously purchased in support of this effort.

With the construction of our Education Gallery downtown and expansion of our Distance Learning program, The Elephant Sanctuary’s earlier plans for a Phase 2, full-fledged “Education Center” located on the grounds of The Elephant Sanctuary have been permanently shelved. We believe the newly renovated facility in downtown Hohenwald will serve our mission for expanding education with non-invasive observation of elephants.

February 11, 2009
Two buildings originally set for demolition in downtown Hohenwald Tennessee are currently being restored by The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The project, which is expected to take at least one year to complete, is in its first phase. Carol Buckley, Sanctuary President/CEO says, “A new roof and store front will be the first improvements seen, but what is developed inside will amaze people. The Education Gallery, showcasing exhibits which will feature the Sanctuary residents telling their true life stories, will bring the visitor closer to understanding the saga of the wild-caught elephants that live among us in captivity.”

In addition to educational exhibits, the Education Gallery, open to the public, will also contain a visitor’s center with a theater where multimedia presentations can be viewed, a gift shop, and offices. When completed, it will be a space to immerse oneself in everything elephant. This facility will be designed with a focus on educational exhibits and multi-media presentations designed to inspire the public about elephants. All aspects of this building will incorporate materials chosen for minimal environmental impact while remaining respectful to the city’s downtown trademark historical appearance.

With the success of the recent reopening of the renovated Strand Theatre and adjacent gallery space, the Sanctuary’s Education Gallery will further stimulate the renovation of downtown Hohenwald as well as provide employment opportunities, revitalize buildings slated for demolition, and be a visible sign of support of the Sanctuary's long-time commitment to Lewis County.  Thousands of visitors each year are drawn to Lewis County, not only for the beautiful natural resources, but also to visit the town that is home to The Elephant Sanctuary.  The Education Gallery will give visitors a destination that satisfies their craving to know more about this unique haven where elephants can be retired to spend the rest of their lives in peace and dignity.

Announcing the launch of our new website in support of The Elephant Sanctuary Education Gallery. This website provides information and the ability to make your donations to help us build this important center. Please support our new Center by making a tax-deductible donation today. Whether you choose to purchase a paver, to underwrite specific items on our wish list or to sponsor an exhibit as a private donor or corporation, you will be making an important investment in the education of all who will visit—gaining a greater understanding of elephants and life at the Sanctuary.

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Elephant Sanctuary Education Gallery/Welcome Center was held on Monday, October 15th, 2007 in downtown Hohenwald. Co-sponsored by The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and the Sanctuary, speakers included Chamber President Dustin Flowers, Sanctuary Executive Director Carol Buckley, Former and Current City Mayors, Bob Burkelow and Don Jones, County Mayor, Kenneth Turnbow, State Representative Joey Hensley, and School Superintendent Benny Pace.

The Sanctuary-sponsored Lewis County Elementary School 3rd grade class (taught by Wanda Trull) were the guests of honor, and two children from the class spoke about "why they loved The Elephant Sanctuary". Following the speeches Scott Blais, cut the construction tape from the building and guests were treated to a brief tour by Welcome Center architect, Manuel Zeitlin.

Carol accepts a Welcome Center donation from Regions Bank’s David Harris

Groundbreaking Ceremony Speakers pose in the arcade adjacent to Welcome Center space (also to be renovated)

Our special guests of honor from Lewis County Elementary School. Wanda Trull's 3rd grade class

Scott cuts the ribbon!